A Walking Route Through Lekki Phase 1: 4 Hours, 6 Kilometres

The route: Admiralty to the bridge

Start on Admiralty Way outside Circle Mall at 4pm. Walk south to Fola Osibo, west past The George Hotel, then loop through the residential streets of Freedom Way and Kayode Otitoju. Sidewalks are patchy but Phase 1 has more of them than any other Lekki neighbourhood. Total distance to this point: 2.5 kilometres, about 45 minutes at a slow pace.

Cut back to Admiralty Way, cross to the Lekki Coliseum side, and walk north on Admiralty until you reach the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge entrance. Another 2 kilometres. The bridge itself is 1.36 kilometres each way with a proper pedestrian walkway and lighting.

What to stop for along the way

At Circle Mall pick up water and a snack; you’ll need it. Bature Brewery on Admiralty is a good beer stop halfway. The Palms Shopping Mall is a slightly dated but reliable air-con break if the heat wins. On Freedom Way, Terra Kulture's Ikoyi outpost is nearby if you want to detour for buffet Nigerian dinner after the bridge.

The bridge is the payoff. Cross at 6:30pm for sunset over the lagoon. The Ikoyi side has less to walk to, so most people turn around at the midpoint or catch a Bolt from the Ikoyi end back to their hotel.

Sleep and logistics

Sleep in Phase 1 to make this walk make sense. Bode Hotel, The George, or apartments on Fola Osibo put you inside a kilometre of the start point. Do not attempt this walk between 11am and 3pm; the humidity and lack of shade are punishing.

Wear closed shoes, not sandals; the sidewalks disappear in places and the road shoulder has gutters. Carry cash for water vendors and a Bolt back if you tire out. Total time with stops: 3 to 4 hours.