There is no better way to experience wild places than to put your hiking boots on and head for the hills. South Africa has many excellent, scenic hiking trails. Here is a taste of only a few of those on offer.
The Otter Trail
The Otter Trail along the Tsitsikamma coast is probably the most popular hike in the country. Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this a really special hiking trail. Pretty strenuous with lots of ups and downs, the distances are not enormous – but participants need to have attained a certain level of fitness before attempting the Otter Trail.
The Dolphin Trail
If you want the scenery and walking with a bit less slog and a lot more luxury, you should try the Dolphin Trail. It traverses similar terrain to the Otter Trail (in fact if joins up with it) but instead of staying in hiking huts, you stay in fully catered guest-houses with all the little luxuries and excellent cuisine. Your pack is transported to your next overnight spot by vehicle and you carry only a day-pack with lunch, water, camera and a swimsuit. Now that's hiking with a difference!
Wild Coast
Hiking along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape is another popular option. Once part of the nominally independent bantustan of the Transkei, this coast is the epitome of untouched natural beauty. Very different to Tsitsikamma, the coast is characterized by miles of deserted beaches, dotted by small communities. You may encounter a young herdboy following his charges as they wander onto the beach. Hikers stay in coastal hotels (the accommodation is not quite up to the standard of the Dolphin Trail) or in community homesteads.
Mountain Magic
For an even wilder experience, you can hike for days in the Cedarberg, near Cape Town, or the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, without seeing a hut or a route marker. These are designated wilderness areas and you simply take a map and a permit and set off, sleeping under the stars or in convenient caves. Take along your own supplies and voila, you own the great outdoors. The 40 kilometre Hottentots Holland Hiking Trail in the Western Cape is another popular hiking trail – the views of False Bay are nothing short of breath-taking.
Forest Trails
The Magoebaskloof Trail meanders through the forests and pine plantations of Limpopo province. Hang out underneath the ancient yellow-woods and refresh your aching muscles in the natural pools in the area. The Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail in Mpumalanga also cuts through riverine forests – and is an excellent five-day hiking trail.
Other Notables:
- Giants Cup Trail, Drakensberg: five day hike, not too strenuous – glorious views of the formidable ‘Dragon Mountains’.
- Fanie Botha Trail: take to the highlands of Mpumalanga and explore the most popular sights along the Panorama Route including God’s Window, Mac Mac Falls and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
- Swellendam Hiking Trail: There are a number of day hikes to be had along this 76 kilometre circular route. (It takes a full six days to complete the route). Enjoy the views of the Little Karoo from your vantage point of the Langeberg Mountains.
- The Limietberg Trail: Not too far from Cape Town, this 36 kilometre trail begins and ends at two scenic mountain passes – Bain’s Kloof and Du Toit’s Kloof – the views are excellent.
- The Northern Cape’s Klipspringer Hiking Trail takes three days to complete and includes the magnificent Augrabies Falls and lunar landscapes.
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