Southern Africa is regarded as one of the most exciting destinations for outdoor activities. And there is probably no better way to experience the magnificence of the South African outdoors than on a hiking trail. The sheer natural beauty of South Africa, together with scenic mountain ranges, canyons and veld, make for some amazing and rewarding hiking adventures.
There are many fascinating - and challenging - hiking trails throughout South Africa, all of which are unique to the specific area. The most popular hiking trail in the country is probably the Otter Trail, which runs along the coast in the Tsitsikamma Forest, offering hikers an incredible and diverse scenic route with views of forests, rocky shorelines and cool mountain streams. This hiking trail is quite strenuous, and it is also advisable to book way, way in advance!
In Mpumalanga there are hikes that meander along the edge of the escarpment including the trail at the Blyde River Canyon, while in Gauteng you can hike through the Magaliesberg Mountains. The incredible Drakensberg Mountain Range in KwaZulu-Natal is the venue for some of the most spectacular hikes in the world, such as the Giant's Cup Hiking Trail, while in the Eastern Cape there are lush trails that go through forests and along rivers and lakes. The Wild Coast is an awesome location found on the lower KwaZulu-Natal coast, and the miles of unspoiled hiking trails that skirt some of the most ruggedly beautiful scenery in South Africa are quite fabulous.
So lace up your boots, and start walking. One foot in front of the other… |
