Exploring Ado-Awaye Mountains has been on my bucket list since I was a teenager when I was staying with my maternal grandmother in Oyo town. She was the one who told me about the mountain and its wonders but I never made any attempt to visit the site as I knew that no matter how I tried, I would not be allowed to go on a visit, anyway. Fast-forward to some years later, the destination’s rave started going up again. Then I said to myself, this is the perfect moment for me to explore this mountain. During one of my calls to Oyo to spend some time with my grandma, I seized the opportunity to visit Ado-Awaye as Oyo is closer to Ado-Awaye (1hr 20mins drive) than from Lagos.
When I informed my grandma about my proposed visit to Ado-Awaye before leaving for Lagos, she expressed her surprise at my unrelenting desire for travels and tourism. I told her that is where my passion lies; and then she went into a session of prayer (I love that woman)...
Now to business
I set out with my not-so-young younger brother- Adewale.
Oyo-Iseyin road is pretty much bad. (Oh scratch that!) I meant worse, but the driver seems to know his way perfectly, so when we are not flying over a curve, we are either avoiding one pothole or we are hitting another. I almost passed out! However, Iseyin to Ado-Awaye road was a deserving compensation for all our earlier troubles, it was all tarred and smooth down to our destination. We slept off immediately the Ado-Awaye car moved only for one of the passenger's to wake us after sometime that felt like just 10 seconds "Eyin tourism, e ma ti de be" (tourism people, you have arrived at your destination).
Ado-Awaye Mountains
We met Mr Wasiu at the foot of the mountain and we explained our mission to him, then he told us he's the man for the job. We heard his colleague mocking him "iwo ati oke yi sha" (you and this mountain)but I assured him not to worry as they will envy him when he starts reaping the fruit of these numerous tour guides. Well, he requested for a sum of N1000 for his service, which in my opinion was too cheap for such an amazing tourist hub.
Mr. Wasiu said that I will not be able to get to the top of the mountain. I asked him why and he said It’s a long crooked way to the top and that he doesn’t think a woman would have the vigour to climb it to the top. Well, I told him never to underestimate the power of a determined woman. Although, he still raised his nose in mockery. That was actually enough motivation for me, as I ensured that I made it to the top, just so I can drive home my point. Mountain hiking is not for the weak hearted, I kid you not. With a stair of 369 steps through a bush path, we got to the plains of the mountain top.
I will share notable attractions I came across on the mountain. Although there were more but I'm going to discuss just the ones I was able to capture in pictures. Shall we?
NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS ON ADO AWAYE MOUNTAIN
IYAKE LAKE
This is the only recognized suspended/hanging lake in Africa. One of the only two in the world (the other is the Hanging Lake in Colorado). The depth of the lake is reportedly unknown and it is said to have swallowed those who have tried to measure its depth (superstition, I guess).
I asked Mr Wasiu (our tour guide) if there was any particular story behind Iyake Lake. He said of course. OK then let's hear it. 👇
He said a woman was angry and she stormed up the hill with people running after her & begging her to take it easy but the next thing they discovered was that she turned to a large body of water and was screaming so the people behind her has to go back & tell the people in the village that Iya n ke(Old woman is screaming) so that was how "Iyake" was formed.
ISHAGE ROCK
This is a large elongated boulder of rock, balanced and standing upright on one of its small edges. This is quite mysterious that this rock has not fallen off despite standing with a small hedge on another rock. Ishage rock is regarded as a powerful god. It is said that it grants the wishes of people who prays at its foot. Our tour guide was so convincing that my brother had to stay back & pray.
ÌYÁ-ALÁRÓ LAKE.
This is a prominent lake out of the many lakes on the mountain. The lake was said to be named after an old woman in the Ado-Awaye village, who specializes in clothes dying. It is said that the old woman, known as “Iya Alaro”, worships the lakes and sacrifices to it at specific times during the year. The lake is filled with overgrown colourful vegetation.
THE ELEPHANT TREE
This is also a notable attraction on the Mountain. It is a collection of many coiled trunks or probably roots of a fallen trees which mysteriously takes the form of the head and trunk of an elephant. I was too tired to climb on the tree and snap pictures but here's my brother's picture on the tree.
ESÈ ÀWON ÀGBÀ TRANSLATES TO “THE FOOTPRINT OF THE ELDERS”.
These are some large “footprints” found all over the mountain. It is believed that the footprints belonged to the gods who surveyed the mountain to protect the indigene.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Firstly the stairs leading to the mountain is dilapidated and nothing to write home about. So proper renovation of the stairs is needed.
Secondly, there is the need for promotions and publicities of the destination to create awareness for tourists both in Nigeria and beyond.
Furthermore, Side attractions should be put in place to make the tourists’ journey well fulfilled.
Lastly, the road leading to the destination should be rehabilitated for easy access.
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‘Damilola is available for writing or travel expo opportunities.
Thank you
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