The Plateaux Region serves as Togo's green lung, offering a refreshing escape from the coastal heat. Centered around the town of Kpalimé, this area is defined by rolling hills, dense forests, and agricultural abundance. For active families, this is the country's premier destination for hiking. The climb up Mount Agou, the highest peak in Togo, is a popular challenge for teenagers, offering panoramic views across the lush valleys. For younger legs, shorter walks in the Missahoé Forest allow children to spot varied insects and tropical birds without the steep ascents.
Waterfalls are a major highlight here. The Kpime and Womé waterfalls are local favorites where families can picnic and splash in natural pools. The path to Womé involves a descent down a staircase, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Along the way, you are likely to pass vibrant cocoa and coffee plantations. Many local guides offer tours that explain how chocolate goes from bean to bar, a process that fascinates children who have only ever seen the finished product in wrappers.
Kpalimé is also the artisanal capital of the country. The Centre Artisanal teaches traditional crafts such as wood carving, batik fabric dyeing, and pottery. Families can visit workshops to watch artisans at work, and older children can sometimes participate in short introductory lessons to create their own souvenirs. The atmosphere here is generally laid-back and welcoming, with a slower pace of life that suits family travel. Dining often involves fresh local produce, including avocados, pineapples, and mountain-grown coffee for the parents.
Accommodation options in the area range from simple guesthouses to eco-lodges that focus on sustainability. Because the region sits at a higher altitude, evenings can be pleasantly cool, so packing light layers is advisable. Whether you are trekking to a hidden cascade or watching weavers create kente cloth, the Plateaux region provides an immersive nature experience that feels worlds away from the busy capital.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Offers unique West African highland trekking, including Mount Agou and hidden waterfalls within coffee and cocoa forests. Peak dry months provide safe trail conditions and manageable humidity, while the heavy monsoon rains from April to September make forest paths excessively slippery for families.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Kpalimé is Togo's artistic heart, featuring authentic artisanal workshops and German colonial architecture that appeals to sophisticated travelers. The dry season is ideal for exploring the Centre des Artisans and local galleries, which become less accessible during the intense mid-year rainy season.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Excellent for families to learn about sustainable cocoa and coffee production through hands-on plantation tours and traditional craft demonstrations. Best during the dry harvest months; the wet season significantly limits rural accessibility and disrupts outdoor educational activities.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
The hilly terrain provides scenic opportunities for hiking and mountain biking suited for active families. Conditions are optimal when rainfall is lowest (Nov-Jan); extreme heat in February and heavy rains thereafter create challenging and muddy conditions for outdoor sports.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
The cooler highland climate provides a peaceful escape from the coastal heat, though it lacks world-class luxury spa infrastructure. The mist-shrouded atmosphere is most pleasant during the cooler dry months, whereas high humidity and heavy rain from April to September degrade the outdoor relaxation experience.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Scenic drives through the rolling Plateaux region offer lush vistas and authentic rural village encounters. Travel is best during the dry season for road safety and visibility; many unpaved secondary roads to waterfalls and plantations become difficult to navigate during the monsoon.
Attractions (26 total)
Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Centre Artisanal de Kloto
Kpalimé
A renowned artistic hub where families can observe master woodcarvers and painters creating traditional and contemporary Togolese art.
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Kamina Radio Station Ruins
Atakpamé
The evocative concrete remains of a massive WWI-era wireless station that once provided direct communication between Togo and Berlin.
Château Vial
Kpalimé
An elegant colonial-era stone mansion built in the 1940s, offering panoramic views of the Kloto valley and surrounding mountains.
Cathédrale Saint-Esprit de Kpalimé
Kpalimé
A historic German colonial-era cathedral built in 1913, known for its red brick architecture and original stained glass windows.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Kouma-Konda Botanical and Plantation Experience
Kpalimé
A hilltop village offering guided walks through lush coffee and cocoa plantations while learning about traditional agroforestry.
Monastère de l'Ascension (Dzogbégan)
Dzogbégan
A serene monastic farm on the Plateau de Dayes where visitors can explore orchards and purchase artisanal jams, honey, and coffee.
National Park / Nature Reserve
Mount Agou
Agou
Togo's highest peak offers families scenic hiking trails and breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and neighboring Ghana.
Kpimé Waterfall
Kpalimé
An accessible series of waterfalls situated on the Kpimé River, providing a peaceful environment for family picnics and light exploration.
Missahoé Forest Reserve
Kpalimé
A protected tropical rainforest famous for its immense variety of butterflies and guided nature walks through dense, vibrant foliage.
Womé Waterfall
Womé
A hidden gem featuring a powerful cascade that drops into a clear, swimmable pool surrounded by a steep, lushly vegetated canyon.
Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Mount Agou Mountain Road
Agou-Nyogbo
A 15km steep paved ascent (approx. 45 mins) reaching the summit of Togo's highest peak at 986m. The route features dramatic hairpin turns, lush tropical vegetation, and panoramic views over the Plateaux region and the border with Ghana. The road is accessible by standard vehicles, though caution is required on the steep gradients.
Visit website →Plateau de Dayes Touring Route
Kpalimé
A 40km circuit (1.5-2 hours) exploring the high-altitude Dayes Plateau. The route follows the R9 and local tracks (paved and well-maintained laterite) through Togo's premier coffee and cocoa growing region. Highlights include the Monastère de l'Ascension, the Kamalo waterfalls, and cooler, misty climate views typical of the region.
Visit website →Missahoé Forest Scenic Drive
Kpalimé
A 12km winding route (approx. 30 mins) on the N5 heading northwest from Kpalimé through the Kloto-Missahoé forest reserve. This paved road passes through a dense tropical canopy known for its butterfly population, leading to the historic 'Château Vial' and the artistic mountain village of Kouma-Konda.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Mount Agou Summit Trail
Agou Nyogbo
9km moderate to challenging out-and-back hike to the highest peak in Togo. Typical duration is 4-5 hours with an elevation gain of approximately 650m. The trail passes through cocoa and coffee plantations before reaching the forested summit ridge.
Visit website →Cascade de Womé Trail
Womé
4km easy out-and-back trail leading through lush valley terrain to a secluded waterfall. Typical duration is 1.5 hours with 150m elevation gain. The route features steep sections descending into a natural amphitheater with a swimming pool at the base.
Visit website →Kloto Forest Botanical Trail
Kouma Konda
6km easy to moderate loop trail through the Kloto-Missahoé forest reserve. Typical duration is 3 hours with 200m elevation gain. Famous for butterfly watching and indigenous flora. Local guides in Kouma Konda provide botanical expertise.
Visit website →Kpalimé to Danyi Plateau Cycling Route
Kpalimé
50km challenging road and gravel cycling loop reaching the Danyi Plateau. Typical duration 5-7 hours with 800m elevation gain. Includes steep hairpins and scenic ridge riding. Bike rental: Local workshops near Kpalimé Grand Marché or Espace Le Mono.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Notsé (Historical Walls of Agbogbo)
Notsé
The ancestral cradle of the Ewe people, featuring remains of ancient earthen fortifications and a rich spiritual history.
Tado
Tado
A sacred historic village known as the birthplace of the Aja and Ewe ethnic groups, rich in traditional West African heritage.
Centre Artisanal de Kpalimé
Kpalimé
A cultural hub in a historic colonial-style building where families can observe traditional pottery, wood carving, and weaving.
Château Viale
Kpalimé
A historic 1940s hilltop castle offering panoramic views and insights into colonial-era architecture.
Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Cascade de Yikpa
Yikpa
Located in the northern Plateaux region, these impressive falls offer a spectacular vertical drop and views across the border into Ghana.
Cascade de Kpime
Kpalimé
A multi-tiered waterfall set against a dramatic rocky backdrop, offering shaded picnic spots and easier access for families.
Cascade de Womé
Kpalimé
A stunning hidden waterfall accessible via a scenic forest trek, featuring a refreshing natural pool perfect for a family swim.
Kloto-Missahoé Forest Reserve
Kpalimé
This lush ecological reserve is a paradise for families to discover rare butterflies and learn about tropical botany on guided walks.
Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Village Artisanal de Kpalimé
Kpalimé
A cultural hub where visitors can observe local artisans at work and purchase authentic Togo crafts including wood carvings, batiks, and hand-woven textiles.