1. Best 10 Hikes in South Africa
- Where: Cape Town, South Africa
- Starting Point: Lion’s Head Trailhead
- End Point: Summit of Lion’s Head
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 5.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best to avoid during bad weather conditions.
- Where to Stay: Various accommodation options in Cape Town.
Lion’s Head is a popular hiking trail located in Cape Town, South Africa. It offers spectacular views of the city, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail starts with a gentle incline and gradually becomes steeper as you reach the summit. The final ascent involves some climbing using chains and ladders, so it’s best to wear appropriate hiking shoes and take caution. The hike can be done at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset hikes are particularly popular for their breathtaking views.
Crossfit gym: CrossFit District in Cape Town and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitdistrict6
2. Platteklip Gorge
- Where: Cape Town, South Africa
- Starting point: Lower Cable Station, Tafelberg Road
- End point: Table Mountain Summit
- Time needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to hike: Year-round, but best in spring and summer (September to March)
- Where to stay: Accommodations in Cape Town or nearby towns
Platteklip Gorge is a popular hiking trail that leads to the summit of Table Mountain, offering stunning views of Cape Town and the surrounding area. The trail is steep and rocky, with a series of switchbacks leading up the gorge. Hikers will need to be prepared for a strenuous climb, but the reward is well worth the effort. At the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the city and take in the beauty of Table Mountain National Park.
Crossfit gym: CrossFit District in Cape Town and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitdistrict6
3. Skeleton Gorge to Nursery Ravine
- Where: Cape Town, South Africa
- Starting point: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- End point: Constantia Nek
- Time needed: 3-4 hours.
- Distance and Type: 6.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- When to hike: Best during summer months (November to February) as the trail can become slippery and dangerous in winter.
- Where to stay: There are many accommodation options in Cape Town and the surrounding areas, including hotels, guesthouses, and backpackers’ lodges.
This trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as a variety of flora and fauna. The trail is quite challenging and involves some steep inclines, as well as scrambling over rocks and boulders. The highlight of the hike is the waterfall at Skeleton Gorge, which is a great place to stop for a rest and take in the scenery. The hike ends at Constantia Nek, where hikers can catch a shuttle back to their starting point at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Crossfit gym: CrossFit False Bay in Cape Town and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitfalsebay
4. Woodstock Cave
- Where: Cape Town, South Africa
- Starting Point: Tafelberg Road
- End Point: Woodstock Cave
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best in cooler months (April – September)
- Where to Stay: Various accommodation options in Cape Town.
This moderate hike takes you through a forested area up to Woodstock Cave, which offers stunning views of Cape Town. The trail can be slippery in wet weather, so caution is advised. This hike is a good option for those looking for a shorter hike with rewarding views.
Crossfit gym: CrossFit False Bay in Cape Town and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitfalsebay
5. Hole in the Wall
- Where: Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Starting point: Coffee Bay
- End point: Hole in the Wall
- Time needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 8 kilometers point to point
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- When to hike: The best time to hike to the Hole in the Wall in the Eastern Cape would be during the cooler months between May to September.
- Where to stay: Coffee Bay or nearby accommodations.
This scenic coastal hike takes you along the rugged Wild Coast to the iconic Hole in the Wall rock formation. The hike is relatively easy, but there are some rocky sections that require a bit of scrambling. Along the way, you’ll pass by beautiful beaches, traditional Xhosa villages, and breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. The highlight of the hike is reaching the Hole in the Wall, where you can take a swim in the natural rock pool or simply marvel at the impressive geological wonder.
6. Echo Ravine
- Where: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Starting Point: Echo Valley car park
- End Point: Same as starting point.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3.6 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Best hiked during the dry season from May to September.
- Where to Stay: There are several accommodations in the nearby town of Pietermaritzburg.
The Echo Ravine hike takes you through beautiful indigenous forests and a series of waterfalls before reaching the top of the ravine for stunning views of Pietermaritzburg. The trail can be steep and slippery in some sections, so good hiking shoes are recommended.
Crossfit Gym: CrossFit Higher Life Pietermaritzburg and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherlifecrossfit
7. Leopard’s Kloof
- Where: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Starting Point: Kranzkloof Nature Reserve parking lot
- End Point: Same as starting point.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best during the dry season (May-September)
- Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in the nearby town of Kloof, such as guesthouses and hotels.
Leopard’s Kloof is a beautiful trail located within the Kranzkloof Nature Reserve, offering stunning views of the gorge and waterfall. The hike follows a river through a lush forest, with a few steep climbs and descents. The trail can be slippery and muddy, so it’s best to wear appropriate footwear. There are also several pools along the way, perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot day.
8. Sentinel Peak
- Where: Drakensberg Mountains, Free State, South Africa
- Starting point: The Sentinel car park
- End point: The summit of Sentinel Peak.
- Time needed: 4-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 4.4 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: The best time to hike Sentinel Peak is during the summer months (December-February) when the weather is warm and dry.
- Where to Stay: There are several campsites and lodges located near the town of Phuthaditjhaba where visitors can stay before or after the hike.
The hike up Sentinel Peak is a challenging but rewarding adventure that takes hikers through stunning alpine scenery and offers breathtaking views from the summit. The trail begins with a steep ascent up a rocky path, which eventually gives way to a narrow ridge that leads to the summit. Along the way, hikers will pass through a variety of landscapes, from grassy meadows to rugged rock formations, and will have the opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife, including baboons and eagles. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with a stunning panoramic view that stretches out over the entire Drakensberg mountain range.
9. Witsand Nature Reserve
- Where: Northern Cape, South Africa
- Starting point: Witsand parking area
- End point: Witsand dunes viewpoint
- Time needed: 2 hours.
- Distance and Type: 4 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best from April to September to avoid extreme heat.
- Where to Stay: Witsand Nature Reserve campsite or nearby guesthouses
Witsand Nature Reserve is known for its large, white sand dunes that create a unique and striking landscape. The hike to the top of the dunes is relatively easy, but can be steep in some places. Along the way, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape, and at the top, they’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the dunes and the Orange River. The reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, and meerkats.
Crossfit gym: CrossFit Upington (nearby town of Upington) and here is the link to their instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitupington/
10. Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- Where: Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
- Starting Point: Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- End Point: Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 4.5kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round, but best in spring (September to November) when the gardens are in full bloom.
- Where to Stay: There are plenty of accommodation options in nearby Johannesburg or Pretoria.
The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens is a beautiful and peaceful spot in the heart of Gauteng. The circular route takes hikers through the gardens, past waterfalls and through forests, with plenty of opportunities to spot local birdlife. The gardens are also home to a pair of Verreaux’s eagles, which can often be seen soaring overhead. The route is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all ages and fitness levels.
