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The best way to experience South Africa's diverse and
beautiful landscape is on foot. The country offers a
huge variety of hiking trails - from pleasant rambles
through nature reserves or along the seashore to guided
trails in game reserves and challenging, self-guided,
week-long hikes through wilderness and mountains. Advance
planning is essential as permits are required and sometimes
have to be booked months beforehand.
We list below the most popular
trails for the serious hiker, grouped by region. For
more detailed information, please contact the Hiking
Federation of South Africa, tel 012 327 0083 or go to
www.linx.co.za or South African Hikes at www25.brinkster.com/hiking.
For game park trail reservations and reservations for
trails in national parks, contact SA National Parks,
tel 012 343 1991; Email:
reservations@parks-sa.co.za; website: www.parks-sa.co.za
WESTERN
CAPE
- a 24 km trail from Stellenbosch to Kuils
River, through the hills, vineyards and olive groves
of one of South Africa's most beautiful farming districts.
Best undertaken in autumn or spring. The trail begins
at the Oude Libertas Centre outside Stellenbosch. Permits
and map obtainable from Stellenbosch Tourism, tel 021
883 35840
- the main trail in the spectacular Hottentots
Holland Nature Reserve in the mountains overlooking
False Bay is 5 - 50 kms long and has various routes
of between one to three days. Two overnight sites each
with two huts, sleeping 24 people. Rated difficult.
For permits and hut bookings, Cape Nature Conservation
(CNC) Cape Town, tel 021 483 2949
- a moderately-difficult 2-day, 36km trail
in the Boland Nature Reserve from Du Toits Kloof Pass,
near Paarl, to Bains Kloof Pass. Spectacular views,
river pools for swimming. Max 12 per group. Hut can
sleep 24 people. For reservations CNC Cape Town, tel
021 483 2949
- a network of moderate to difficult 1,2
or 3- day trails in magnificent mountain scenery in
the West Coast Nature Reserve, near Clanwilliam. Max
12 people per trail.
A large number of routes to choose from in one of the
country's most popular backpacking and climbing areas.
Huts are shelters only, no beds. For information and
reservations CNC Porterville, 022 931 2088
- one of the country's newest and
best trails, through seven different eco systems in
the lovely De Hoop Nature Reserve, near Arniston. There
are seven trails of varying length, including one five-
day hike along the coast, with excellent whale watching
in June-December and superb accommodation. Permits from
CNC Bredasdorp Reservations Office, tel 028 425 5020;
Email: dehoopinfo@sdm.dorea.co.za
SOUTH-WESTERN
AND SOUTHERN CAPE
- a 76km, 6-day circular trail through forest and fynbos
terrain, with good views from the slopes of the Langeberg
Mountains. For permits, tel CNC Bredasdorp, 028 425
5020
- the first and most famous 5-day trail in SA, between
Storms River Mouth and Nature's Valley. The 42 km trail
takes five days and four nights and is strenuous in
parts. Offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean on
one side and fynbos and indigenous forests on the other.
Booked up a year in advance. Permits from SA National
Parks, see above.
- a 65 km trail through the foothills of the Tsitsikamma
Mts from Nature's Valley to the Storms River Bridge.
The full hike takes four nights and five days. For permits,
tel Safcol Eco Tours, 012 481 3615
- a fairly demanding 5-day, 61 km circular
trek through the fynbos in the mountains above the Cango
Caves, near Oudtshoorn. Lovely views. For reservations
tel 044 279 1739 or Email sberg.cnc.karoo@pixie.co.za
- one of the country's oldest, this 108 km 7-day trail
(with 2- and 3-day options) from George to Storms River
cuts through natural forest and private nature reserves
that are home to the reclusive Knysna elephants. From
west to east only.
For reservations: CNC, tel 044 870 8323
- An exceptionally interesting but difficult 27 km two-day
hike across spectacular coastal terrain between Knysna
and Plettenberg Bay. Some rock climbing involved. Two
overnight huts. Max 12 people. Reservations: Dept of
Water Affairs, tel 044 532 7770 ; E mail: vermeuc@dwaf-wcp.wcape.gov.za
EASTERN
CAPE
- one of the country's most celebrated hikes, 6 days
and 100 kms of strenuous hiking from Maden Dam 22kms
from King Williamstown to 3kms outside Hogsback. The
trail passes through forests, mountain plateaux, river
valleys and the Auckland Nature Reserve, where birdlife
is plentiful. Max 30 people. For reservations, tel 043
642 1747
- a 5-day, 64km easy to moderate hike along the
lower section of the magnificent Wild Coast from Mazeppa
Bay in the Transkei to Haga Haga in the E Cape, through
sandy beaches, beautiful lagoons, estuaries and coastal
forests. Hotels are plentiful along the route and trail
packages are available. For information, Wild Coast
Tourism, tel 047 531 5290; or go to www.ectourism.co.za.
- a moderate to difficult 5-day 59 km Wild Coast trail
from Kei Mouth to Gonubie via beaches, estuaries, high
cliffs with lovely views and coastal forests. Can be
walked throughout the year, but best in December-February.
Max 12 people. For reservations, tel Erica Church 042
841 1046 or 083 285 4773
KWAZULU-NATAL
- a 4-day, 44 km trail with backpacks through
the beautiful Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. The distances
are short, but there is plenty to see and do en route
- including swimming and snorkelling through coral reefs.
For reservations, tel KZN Bureau of Natural Resources,
033 845 1000
- a 5-day, moderate to difficult 63km circular trail,
starting from and ending at Mission Rocks near St Lucia.
Tents required at four rustic but spectacular campsites.
Mziki Hiking Trail - an easier 3-day 38 km circular
trail, also from Mission Rocks, with views of Lake St
Lucia on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other.
One overnight hut, sleeps eight people. For reservations,
KZN Conservation Service, tel 035 590 9002
- a 2-,3-,4- or 5-day trail over 50 kms running
from Sani Pass to Bushman's Nek in the Southern Drakensberg.
Magnificent mountain scenery, rock paintings. Huts are
equipped with beds and mattresses. For reservations,
tel Pietermaritzburg 0331 471 981
(17.5kms) and (26kms), each a 2-day hike through indigenous
forest and grasslands in the Drakensberg foothills near
Newcastle. Both have base camps and overnight huts.
For reservations, tel D C van Niekerk, 03435 (ask for
600)
FREE
STATE
- a popular but difficult 2-day, 30 km
hike through the mountains of the Golden Gate National
Park, near Clarens. Beautiful sandstone formations,
cliffs, caves, game and mountain birds are among the
attractions. Good overnight facilities. Max 18 people.
For reservations, Golden Gate National Park, tel 058
255 0012
GAUTENG
- a 3-day, easy-to-moderate 26 km trail
in the hills south of Johannesburg. Typical highveld
terrain with indigenous flora and small game. Overnight
facilities for 20 people.
For reservations tel Jacana Marketing 012 346 3550/1/2
NORTH-WEST
(25.3 kms),and (19.5 kms), two self-guided hikes in the
Rustenberg Nature Reserve on the summit and along the
northern slopes of the Magaliesberg. Newly constructed
overnight facilities. Plentiful game and birds. For
reservations, tel 014 553 2050.
NORTHERN
CAPE/KAROO
-a moderately difficult, self-guided 3-day, 40 km trail
through the rocky landscapes of the Augrabies National
Park. Max 12 people. Book through SA National Parks,
see details above.
- in the Karoo National Park, 5 kms from
Beaufort West. This is a 3-day, 27 km hike through the
Nuweveld Mountains. Excellent views. Book through SA
National Parks, see details above
- a 3 day, 48 km circular trail around
the foothills of the spectacular Compassberg, near Middelberg
in heart of the Karoo. Max 12 hikers. For bookings,
tel 049 842 2418.
LIMPOPO
- a network of moderately difficult
forest trails, 39 kms long, which can be combined into
2- to 5-day hikes. Cosy, spacious huts. The trail begins
at Dokolewa Pools, 20 kms from Tzaneen. Permits from
Safcol, tel 012 481 3615
- a two-day, 30 km, circular hike on farmland
in the Waterberg region. Rich variety of birdlife, wildlife
and flora. For reservations, tel Jacana Marketing 012
346 3550
MPUMALANGA
- now a two-night 3-day, 33 km hike
from God's Window to Bourke's Luck Potholes in the magnificent
Blyde River Canyon, one of Southern Africa's most beautiful
regions. Rated difficult. Max 30 people. Comfortable
accommodation. For reservations, Mpumalanga Forest Region,
tel 013 759 5432
- a difficult 5-day, 79 km , one-way hike
from Ceylon Forest Station close to Sabie up through
forests and mountainside to God's Window. Spectacular
views of the Blyde River Canyon and the Lowveld. Max
30 people. For reservations, Regional Director, Sabie,
tel 012 481 3615
- a strenuous 3-day, 47 km circular
hike from Barberton, in the footsteps of the early gold
miners. Enquiries, Barberton Publicity Association,
tel 013 712 2121
Links to Useful Sites
home.intekom.com/hiking
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