Lake Awing Crater Walk

Lake Awing is a crater lake in the Bamenda Highlands, sitting at about 1,750 m in the hills between Bamenda and Santa. It sees a fraction of the traffic that Oku or Manengouba get, which is exactly its appeal: a quiet, rolling, largely open walk with a lake at the centre of it.

The loop from Awing village follows farm tracks and grazing paths around the crater, with a couple of short climbs onto the rim for the view. It is comfortably done in four hours at a relaxed pace, which makes it a real option for a first-time hiker or a family. The village is Ngemba-speaking and the lake features in local tradition; as with Oku, ask before entering the water.

The best hours are early — the highlands cloud over by mid-afternoon and the light on the water goes flat. Bring a windproof layer even in the dry season.