Here are some of SA’s best day hikes
South Africa’s hiking trails truly are a feather in the country’s cap. No matter where you are in Mzansi, there’s a trail worth your time nearby.
If you’re looking for some of our country’s best day hiking spots, here are five that you’ll love.
This trail features two main hikes (the 5-kilometre-long Zebra Trail and 10-kilometre-long Krokodilberg Trail), as well as the Dassie, a shorter trail of 2.5 km that the kids can also join. It’s located just 45 minutes from Johannesburg, but offers plenty in terms of scenery – think historical sites, an underground cave, and game and river crossings to boot.
One of the Western Cape’s favourite trails, the Krom River hiking trail is moderately rated in terms of difficulty, although there are sections that require a bit of climbing or pulling yourself up. Don’t expect to stay dry along this route – and the pool that ends off the Krom River trail is pure icy delight! This 7-kilometre, 6-hour hike requires some exertion, but rewards the hiker with views that showcase the beauty of this part of the country.
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
This reserve – the largest in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area – can be found just 10 km south of the Joburg CBD. Johannesburg’s Jewel of the South has no entry fee, and offers a range of different hiking options, fit for every type of hiker, and even for children.
The Drakensberg mountain range’s famous Cathedral Peak forms an integral part of this trail, and what a breathtaking trail it is. The 5.5-kilometre hike kicks off at the Didima camp, and winds along the foot of the Tryme Hill, through the yellowwood forest, ending at the Ndumeni River Gorge. Keep an eye out for the rainbow display – after which this area takes its name – when the gorge starts narrowing.
If you’re in the North-West or Gauteng, the Kranskloof trail in the Magaliesburg is worth checking out, especially if you’re planning on taking the kids along. This family and pet-friendly trail is just challenging enough, without leaving you completely pooped afterwards. The scenery, fauna and flora give you a newfound appreciation of the beauty of the highveld.
