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Ethiopia🇪🇹 | hikesTis Issat FallsBlue Nile cataract, swaying footbridge, Portuguese stone arch, far-bank trail | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Tis Issat Falls
👌 Worth visitinghike ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Tis Issat Falls sits a short drive from Bahir Dar, so you can see the Blue Nile plunge in a morning and be back for lunch. The village of Tis Abay lies in the Amhara region in the north of Ethiopia, southeast of the lake city. The walk is short, roughly an hour round trip, with a stony, dusty path and a hanging footbridge that sways under your boots. Crowds of young guides and scarf sellers follow you, which wears thin, though their company helps on loose rock. Spray soaks the far bank and the roar fills your chest. I bought a ticket at the gate, then crossed the old Portuguese-era stone bridge first, because the quiet side gives the clearest view. A first day could mean an early minibus, a slow loop, and coffee in the village.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ethiopia Travel Guide.
Best time to go: October - March
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 4 kilometers
Total ascent: 120 meters
Safety warning

The current risk level for Ethiopia is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 hike in EthiopiaWhat sets this place apart

Tis Issat Falls gives you one of Africa's great river sights for very little effort. The Blue Nile drops about 40 meters in a wide curtain, and in the rainy months it thunders as a 400-meter-wide wall of brown water. In the dry season it thins into several strands, still pretty, and the gorge below glows green with irrigated fields.

Getting there is easy. Local minibuses run from Bahir Dar to Tis Abay all day, so you need no tour and no private car. That makes it a natural half-day add-on to a Lake Tana itinerary, alongside the island monasteries and the Portuguese Bridge, which dates to the 1600s.

The length is flexible too. You can stand at the first viewpoint and leave in 40 minutes, or cross the river and wander the far bank for several hours, passing farms, goats and weavers on the way. Few waterfalls this big ask so little of you.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Tis Issat Falls

  1. Tis Issat main viewpoint: The classic view from the village-side path, where the whole Blue Nile curtain drops into the gorge and a permanent mist rises. In the rainy months, spray soaks your clothes, and a rainbow often forms in the afternoon.
  2. The suspension footbridge: A narrow bridge over the gorge below the falls. It sways with each step and gives a close, angled look at the water. Locals cross it with loads on their heads, so move aside when they come.
  3. Portuguese Bridge: A stone arch bridge built in the 1600s over the Blue Nile just upstream from the falls. It is one of the oldest bridges in Ethiopia, and its low arches make a good, quiet photo spot away from the sellers.
  4. The far bank trail: After crossing, a dirt path climbs through small farms and eucalyptus. It brings you to a second
… read more 👉
  1. Tis Issat main viewpoint: The classic view from the village-side path, where the whole Blue Nile curtain drops into the gorge and a permanent mist rises. In the rainy months, spray soaks your clothes, and a rainbow often forms in the afternoon.
  2. The suspension footbridge: A narrow bridge over the gorge below the falls. It sways with each step and gives a close, angled look at the water. Locals cross it with loads on their heads, so move aside when they come.
  3. Portuguese Bridge: A stone arch bridge built in the 1600s over the Blue Nile just upstream from the falls. It is one of the oldest bridges in Ethiopia, and its low arches make a good, quiet photo spot away from the sellers.
  4. The far bank trail: After crossing, a dirt path climbs through small farms and eucalyptus. It brings you to a second viewpoint facing the falls head-on, with fewer people and a long view back across the gorge.
  5. Tis Abay village: The small town at the start is lined with cafes serving coffee in small cups, and with stalls selling woven cotton scarves. It is a relaxed place to rest your legs and watch life along the river road.
For a first visit, start at the main viewpoint and then cross the swaying footbridge, since that pairing shows the falls from two angles in under an hour.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Tis Issat Falls

Day trip on Bahir dar. To visit lake tana monasteries and Blue Nile Falls.

Day trip on Bahir dar. To visit lake tana monasteries and Blue Nile Falls.

4.9(17)
From €226
per personViator
Bahir Dar Tours

Bahir Dar Tours

5.0(9)
From €163
per personViator
5 days Exploring North Ethiopia's Rich History and Culture

5 days Exploring North Ethiopia's Rich History and Culture

5.0(7) 120h
From €1,086
per personViator
2-Day private Tour in Bahir Dar and Blue Nile falls

2-Day private Tour in Bahir Dar and Blue Nile falls

5.0(7) 48h
From €566
per personViator
Day Trip Bahir Dar, Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls Tours

Day Trip Bahir Dar, Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls Tours

5.0(6) 9h
From €136
per personViator
4 Days Tour to North Part of Ethiopia

4 Days Tour to North Part of Ethiopia

5.0(5) 96h
From €510
per personViator
Private Guided Tours To Bahir Dar Lake Tana Monastery & Blue Nile Waterfalls

Private Guided Tours To Bahir Dar Lake Tana Monastery & Blue Nile Waterfalls

4.8(4)
From €131
per personViator
2 Days Visiting Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Waterfall & City Tour

2 Days Visiting Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Waterfall & City Tour

5.0(3) 48h
From €317
per personViator
Full day Trip on Lake Tana

Full day Trip on Lake Tana

5.0(2) 9h
From €408
per personViator
Day trip in Bahir Dar

Day trip in Bahir Dar

5.0(2) 6h 30m
From €725
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

Late September to November is the sweet spot, when the Blue Nile is still thundering but the rains have stopped and the surrounding hills are green.
  • Main Rainy Season (June to mid-September): Heavy downpours, 18-26°C (64-79°F), slick paths and the biggest flow over the falls. Mist drenches the viewpoint, and cloud often hides the far gorge.
  • Post-Rain Months (late September to November): Best balance of full water, sunny mornings and highs near 24-28°C (75-82°F). Ethiopian holidays like Meskel in late September bring local crowds and higher room prices in Bahir Dar.
  • Dry Season (December to February): Clear days around 27-30°C (81-86°F), cool mornings near 10-13°C (50-55°F), and a thinner flow. Peak tourist demand lifts guide and lodging costs.
  • Hot Months (March to May): Dusty, 30-33°C (86-91°F),
… read more 👉
Late September to November is the sweet spot, when the Blue Nile is still thundering but the rains have stopped and the surrounding hills are green.
  • Main Rainy Season (June to mid-September): Heavy downpours, 18-26°C (64-79°F), slick paths and the biggest flow over the falls. Mist drenches the viewpoint, and cloud often hides the far gorge.
  • Post-Rain Months (late September to November): Best balance of full water, sunny mornings and highs near 24-28°C (75-82°F). Ethiopian holidays like Meskel in late September bring local crowds and higher room prices in Bahir Dar.
  • Dry Season (December to February): Clear days around 27-30°C (81-86°F), cool mornings near 10-13°C (50-55°F), and a thinner flow. Peak tourist demand lifts guide and lodging costs.
  • Hot Months (March to May): Dusty, 30-33°C (86-91°F), with the falls reduced to a few strands. Prices drop and you get the path nearly to yourself.
Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year, so start walking by 8 AM for cooler air and softer light.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Ethiopia


Best quality hotels in Ethiopia

🥾 Hike detailsKey facts about the Tis Issat Falls hike

Tis Issat Falls: a short, easy walk with several optional extensions around the gorge.
Total Distance: about 3 to 4 kilometers for the full loop including the far bank.
Estimated Duration: 1 to 3 hours, depending on how long you linger at viewpoints.
Difficulty: Easy. Paths are rocky and can be slick near the spray, and a few short climbs on the far side are the hardest part.
Starting Point: Tis Abay village, reached by minibus from Bahir Dar's bus station. The ticket gate is on the village edge, and young local guides offer to lead you.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ticket gate: The entry point where you pay the
… read more 👉
Tis Issat Falls: a short, easy walk with several optional extensions around the gorge.
Total Distance: about 3 to 4 kilometers for the full loop including the far bank.
Estimated Duration: 1 to 3 hours, depending on how long you linger at viewpoints.
Difficulty: Easy. Paths are rocky and can be slick near the spray, and a few short climbs on the far side are the hardest part.
Starting Point: Tis Abay village, reached by minibus from Bahir Dar's bus station. The ticket gate is on the village edge, and young local guides offer to lead you.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ticket gate: The entry point where you pay the entrance fee.
  • Portuguese Bridge: The old stone arch crossed on the way to the falls.
  • Footbridge: A hanging span over the gorge below the falls.
  • Far bank viewpoint: A front-facing view of the full curtain.
Terrain and Scenery: Dusty dirt tracks, loose stones and short rocky steps. The gorge walls are dark basalt, and the river turns coffee brown in the rains.
Vegetation: Eucalyptus, acacia, fields of teff and maize, and bright green trees in the spray zone.
Wildlife: Colobus and vervet monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers and other river birds. Goats and cattle share the trails.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

The walk is short and well-trodden, so the main risks are slippery rock and sun rather than anything serious. Near the falls, the spray-soaked stone and the old Portuguese-era bridge area get greasy in the rainy season, so wear shoes with real grip and take your time on descents. Crossing the bridge over the Blue Nile means sharing a narrow path with locals, children and pack animals, so step aside and keep your pace relaxed. Local kids and self-appointed guides will approach you early, and a firm, friendly no works. Agree on any fee before you start walking. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, since shade is patchy in the dry months. Keep your camera strap on your wrist near the edge, and stay behind the natural lookouts, not on wet ledges. Baboons and monkeys may watch your snacks, so keep food packed away.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Tis Issat Falls takes about 1 to 2 hours for the standard walk from the village of Tis Abay to the viewpoints and back. The path is roughly 1 to 2 km each way, and adding the bridge crossing and photo stops stretches it toward 3 hours. Most travelers visit as a half-day trip from Bahir Dar, about 30 km away, which takes 1 hour by minibus.
Tis Issat Falls is an easy hike, suited to first-timers and families. The terrain is mostly gentle dirt and rocky track with a few short slippery stretches near the water, and the elevation change is small. Expect heat in the dry months and mud from June to September, so wear closed shoes with grip.
Tis Issat Falls needs no permit, but there is an entrance fee of roughly US$2 to 5 for foreign visitors, paid at the site. Local guides offer to lead you for about US$3 to 8, and while the trail is easy to follow, a guide helps you find the best viewpoints and the bridge crossing. Agree on the price before setting off, and most people go independently or as part of a Bahir Dar tour.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ethiopian hikes near Tis Issat Falls

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Tis Issat Falls looks best when you cross the river and walk uphill away from the crowd, because the far bank gives the clearest view and the guides thin out. Most visitors turn back at the first viewpoint. I would bring small bills, a rain shell for the spray, and shoes with grip.

✈️ When did I visit Ethiopia?
Ethiopia I visited back in October 2017. I combined the trip with a visit to Sudan. Ethiopia was a pure surprise with the magical scenery like the Danakil Depression and the Simien Mountains.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ethiopia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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