Official Name: | Wurgessa |
Native Name: | ውርጌሳ |
Settlement Type: | Town |
Pushpin Map: | Ethiopia |
Pushpin Label Position: | right |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Ethiopia |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Ethiopia |
Subdivision Type1: | Region |
Subdivision Name1: | Amhara |
Subdivision Type2: | Zone |
Subdivision Name2: | Semien Wollo |
Subdivision Type3: | District |
Subdivision Name3: | Habru |
Timezone: | EAT |
Utc Offset: | +3 |
Coordinates: | 11.543°N 76.1°W |
Elevation M: | 1600 |
Wurgessa is a small town located in the district of Habru, in the North Wollo zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia.[1] Wurgessa is located along Ethiopian Highway 2, or Kombolcha – Woldiya road, 465 km from Addis Ababa and 25 km south of the woreda (district) town Mersa.[2] Wurgessa is the birth place of the late comedian Alebachew Teka.
Wurgessa is located at the foot of a steep escarpment, which reaches up to 3600 m high. On top of the escarpment, the landscape is also mountainous but there are croplands. The escarpment is steep and comprises many cliffs and forests, with intermediate hamlets on narrow flats.[3]
A magnificent mountain trek can be undertaken from Wegel Tena towards Wurgesa. Starting from Wegel Tena one has to walk to the east and descend into the gorge, through Ferkake. Cross the wide river and follow it upstream for some 10 kilometers towards the village of Dibil which is on a small plateau high above the river. From Dibil, follow the ridge, eastbound, until reaching the top of the escarpment at Angwat. There are magnificent views over Gemshat forest but it is impossible to climb down across the forest. The trekker will continue walking in the eastern direction (steeply downslope) towards Gatira, and from Gatira to Wurgesa. The trek takes 2 days; accommodation can be found in villages along the trek route but there are hardly any shops.[3]