Location and surroundings
Geographically, Felo Barkere sits within a nested range hierarchy starting broadly from the Upper Guinea Swell, narrowing through the Guinea Highlands and the Fouta Djallon, down to the Tamgue Massif. Located entirely within Guinea, the hill is surrounded by a rugged landscape typical of the West African interior. The terrain features rolling elevations and typical regional vegetation influenced by the tropical climate of the area.
Neighbouring peaks
Several elevations stand close to Felo Barkere within the surrounding landscape:
Comparing these elevations, Felo Barkere at 638 metres stands taller than Nagoye and Nangagni, while remaining lower than Moïnahi which reaches 681 metres in the southeast.
The view from the summit
The highest peak within 25 km of Felo Barkere is Mount Loura, which reaches 1,515 metres and lies 42 km southeast, though it falls outside the immediate 25-kilometre radius. Within the strict 25-kilometre zone around the summit, the highest recorded neighbouring elevations include Moïnahi at 681 metres located 23.2 km to the southeast, Nagoye at 495 metres positioned 1.9 km to the southeast, and Nangagni at 407 metres situated 11.0 km to the west. Observers looking across the landscape will spot these nearby topographical features dominating the immediate surroundings.
The range
Felo Barkere is part of the Tamgue Massif, a mountain range that spans two countries: Guinea and Senegal. Within the Tamgue Massif, which contains 16 named peaks, Felo Barkere holds the rank of the 9th highest. The highest peak of the entire Tamgue Massif is Mount Loura, reaching an elevation of 1,515 metres and located 42 kilometres to the southeast of Felo Barkere.
Getting there
Access to the area relies on nearby local settlements mapped via OpenStreetMap. The nearest settlement is the village of Népène Diakha, located 2.7 km northwest of the top. Another nearby settlement is the village of Sintiou Bidefelo, situated 5.4 km west of the summit. Visitors travelling through the area will find these local villages serving as the primary geographic reference points for approaching the hill.
Climate and weather
Climate figures for Felo Barkere are estimates derived from NASA POWER climate data spanning 2001 to 2007 and 2001 to 2020 monthly means, with temperatures specifically adjusted to the summit elevation. Mean temperatures at the summit remain above freezing every month of the year, spanning January through December. The warmest month is April with a mean temperature of about 31 °C, while the coldest month is August with a mean of about 23 °C. Precipitation in the surrounding area totals about 1,350 mm a year, featuring a wettest month in August with about 410 mm of rain and a driest month in January with about 0 mm.
Best time to visit
Based on the regional climate data, the best time to visit avoids the peak wet conditions while accounting for seasonal temperature variations. Precipitation is heavily concentrated during the middle of the year, peaking in August with about 410 mm of rain, whereas January experiences virtually no precipitation with about 0 mm. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year at the summit, with monthly means staying above freezing across all twelve months, ranging from a cool average of about 23 °C in August to a warmer average of about 31 °C in April.
Nature and wildlife
The landscape surrounding Felo Barkere features the characteristic terrain of the Fouta Djallon and Guinea Highlands regions. Vegetation typically consists of savanna grasses, shrublands, and localized patches of woodland adapted to the alternating wet and dry seasons. Wildlife in this part of Guinea includes various small mammals, reptiles, and numerous bird species that inhabit the open slopes and valleys of the local massif.
Practical tips
A walk to the top of Felo Barkere requires preparations proportional to an easy outing, including sturdy footwear suitable for potential mud or rocky sections and a light layer against the wind at higher elevations. Walkers should remain alert for ticks during the warm months where they occur. In the event of an emergency, the emergency numbers for mountain rescue in Guinea are 117 for the Police and 118 for the Gendarmerie.
Interesting facts
Felo Barkere holds a notable position within its regional mountain hierarchy, ranking as the 9th highest out of 16 named peaks in the Tamgue Massif. The hill is also known locally by the alternative name Nepen-Diakha-Berge. Furthermore, the mountain range it belongs to, the Tamgue Massif, uniquely spans across two national borders, encompassing parts of both Guinea and Senegal.
FAQ
How high is Felo Barkere? Felo Barkere reaches an elevation of 638 metres above sea level.Where is Felo Barkere located? It is located in the country of Guinea, within the Upper Guinea Swell, Guinea Highlands, Fouta Djallon, and specifically the Tamgue Massif.
How do I get to Felo Barkere? The nearest settlement is the village of Népène Diakha, located 2.7 km northwest of the top, with the village of Sintiou Bidefelo situated 5.4 km to the west.
How long does it take to walk up Felo Barkere? Walking from Népène Diakha, which lies 2.7 km northwest at about 130 m elevation, covers about 3.5 km on foot and 510 m up, taking roughly 1 to 2 hours according to an estimate by Naismith's rule from distance and height gain, though the real path may be longer.
What is the mobile phone coverage like? One mobile phone or communication mast is mapped within 10 km, with the nearest located 3.0 km northwest. While an open top with a mast in sight suggests a signal is likely, coverage in hills can be patchy and depends on the operator; 112 reaches emergency services over any available network and maps should be downloaded before setting out.
What are the neighbouring hills around Felo Barkere? Nearby peaks include Nagoye at 495 m (1.9 km SE), Nangagni at 407 m (11.0 km W), and Moïnahi at 681 m (23.2 km SE).