The Best Hiking Trails in South Africa

7,800 trails

(156)

Photo of Otter Trail Day 3 - Scott Hut to Oakhurst Hut (Tsitsikamma)

Photo of Otter Trail Day 2 - Ngubu to Scott Hut (Tsitsikamma)

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Montagu - Bloupunt Trial

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Hiking

near Montagu, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Ma Go

Distance

8.85mi

Elevation +

3875f

TrailRank

75| 3.0

This is a nice hiking tour to the bloupunt summit in the Montagu Mountain Reserve. The Bloupunt mountain is just 1226 meters high. But you start something slightly higher than 200 meters above sea level. All in all, you...

An easy and relatively accessible hiking trail into the high mountains. Dont though be fooled by this as it is a long tr...
roadrunred

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Otter Trail Day 3 - Scott Hut to Oakhurst Hut (Tsitsikamma)

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Hiking

near Kleinbos, Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

4.69mi

Elevation +

1332f

TrailRank

70| 5.0

Day 3 starts out with a scenic meander along the coast, soon thereafter is the first river crossing (Elandsbos) thereafter the trail gets steep and follows the coast through forest and over rocks thereafter it gets steep...

Elandsbos River was my favourite spot on the whole trail. If you are a fast walker stop there for a coffee or picnic to ...
Maxime Yates

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Otter Trail Day 2 - Ngubu to Scott Hut (Tsitsikamma)

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Hiking

near Marienburg, Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

5.35mi

Elevation +

1867f

TrailRank

70| 5.0

Day two of the Otter trail from Ngubu hit to Scott Hut, the day starts with a tough incline from the coast to the top of the headland, there is an observation Deck there be on the lookout for dolphins and whales. The pat...

Beautiful forest day, some long climbs, saw whales and detoured to blue bay is a must. Leave early enough to stop at blu...
Maxime Yates

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Elands River trail to the Waterfall - Du Toitskloof (Paarl)

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Hiking

near Du Toitskloof, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

7.15mi

Elevation +

2379f

TrailRank

70| 4.67

This trail starts in Du Toitskloof and follows the trail along the Elands River to the official trail end, here we continued along the path before crossing the river and heading up the Waterfall kloof. The Waterfall at t...

The waterfall is one of the most spectacular of all the hikes in the cape. The bouldering to get there can be challengin...
Maxime Yates

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HENNOPS - Krokodilberg 10km

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Hiking

near Pelindaba, North-West (Republic of South Africa)

Ilse de Haas

Distance

6.05mi

Elevation +

978f

TrailRank

69| 4.33

This trail requires a degree of fitness and proper shoes. ( Not suitable for: beginner / unfit hiker / children not use to hiking) Panoramic views await!

Awesome Hike. Close to Jhb and Pretoria
Heath Boswell

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Klapmutskop Climb from Delvera - (Stellenbosch/Klapmuts)

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Hiking

near Elsenburg, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

6.03mi

Elevation +

1115f

TrailRank

69| 5.0

This trail starting and ending at Delvera is an easy walk through the vineyards and then a short hike up to the 523m summit of Klapmutskop. Klapmutskop contains three botanical zones. On the lower slopes renosterveld giv...

Such a beautiful hike, Easy to follow and the views over the autumn vineyards was spectacular.
Maxime Yates

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Helderberg Dome - (Somerset West)

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Hiking

near Vergelegen, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

8.34mi

Elevation +

4242f

TrailRank

68| 5.0

The climb uo to the Helderberg Dome starting at the Helderberg Nature reserve in Somerset West. The trail starts through the myraid of trails which split at the beginning. As long as you ascend you will be on a correct p...

This trail was tough but very beautiful and rewarding
Maxime Yates

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Nature’s Valley Salt River Rugpad loop

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Hiking

near Nature’s Valley, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

8.82mi

Elevation +

1660f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

A trail that begins with the salt river trail but then spilts to the Rugpad and loops through the forest before reaching the lookout of the Salt River. Finishing with a scramble over the blue rocks and a walk along the b...

Amazing walk from natures valley, Beautiful scenery. If doing this trail in summer dont forget to bring a costume and sw...
Maxime Yates

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Hogsback Waterfall Trail

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Hiking

near Hogsback, Eastern Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

6.35mi

Elevation +

1644f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

Started at away with the Fairies and descended to the Big Tree (there is a public start place just up the road) , followed by detours to Swallowtail falls and Bridal falls before rejoining the main path and finishing at ...

The forest, waterfalls and the big tree are all must see when visiting hogsback
Maxime Yates

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The Shire Forest Loop (Stutterheim)

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Hiking

near Stutterheim, Eastern Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

4.16mi

Elevation +

1201f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

This trail starting and ending at the Shire is an easy well marked trail through indegenious Forest, pine and gum plantations. Notable features are the numerous birding spots, the unique Lemontree Forest and the Shire Ec...

The Shire and it's forest walks are amazingly beautiful! The lemonwood forest is out of this world
Maxime Yates

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Algeria Waterfall - (Cederberg)

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Hiking

near Cederberg, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

3.99mi

Elevation +

1220f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

The standard Route up to the magestic Algeria Waterfall. This route starts at the Algeria camp site and heads straight up to the kloof visible in the distance before zigzaging up to a higher altitude and approaching the ...

Amazing Waterfall!!
Maxime Yates

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Gecko Trail Route A (official)

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Hiking

near Nuy Valley, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Waya Matata
with

Distance

9.53mi

Elevation +

2444f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

The perfect wilderness hiking trail. It’s rough and tough but you find tranquility, remoteness and total solitude. The trail is a mix of Jeep track, narrow hiking tracks and quite a bit of scrambling. Avoid the hot summe...

Amazing views and scenery walking on top of the Langeberg Mountains
Ninon Roos

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Constantiaberg and Elephants Eye Cave loop - (Silvermine Cape Town)

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Hiking

near Klein Steenberg, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

5.98mi

Elevation +

1867f

TrailRank

67| 5.0

The trail starting at Silvermine nature reserve heading up to elephants Eye Cave and then up to the summit of the Constantiaberg, the route down descends steeply with great views over hout bay and Chapmans Peak drive. Th...

Amazing Views, trail is well defined except for the top around the tower
Maxime Yates

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Devils Peak (Table Mountain National Park - Cape Town)

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Hiking

near Vredehoek, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

3.57mi

Elevation +

1883f

TrailRank

66| 5.0

Following the standard Route up and down Devils Peak from Tafelberg road. This route is well demarcated for most of the way up. Only near the summit does the trail split into different path options but the trigonometric ...

Great trail, just take care of the sun in summer months
Maxime Yates

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Saaltjie Hike - Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch)

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Hiking

near Banghoek, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

8.58mi

Elevation +

2346f

TrailRank

66| 4.67

This trail starts and ends at the main entrance to Jonkershoek Nature reserve. It's a great alternative if the parking is full at the Waterfall and Swartboskloof trails. The trail makes its way up to the saddle (Saaltjie...

Loved the viewpoint at Saaltjie, trail isn't all that straightforward
Maxime Yates

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Maltese Cross - (Cederberg)

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Hiking

near Citrusdal, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

4.43mi

Elevation +

1434f

TrailRank

66| 5.0

The Cederberg Maltese Cross hike, obtain a permit from Cederberg Wines just up the road, they will give you the combination to the gate lock. After setting the combination on the lock press the lock loop in and when you ...

This path was easy to follow. The hike was relatively easy
Maxime Yates

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Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge

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Hiking

near Oranjezicht, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Port flora
with

Distance

6.10mi

Elevation +

2372f

TrailRank

66| 4.0

Table Mountain is a 'must see' for anyone visiting the Cape Town area. Recently voted as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world it is a landmark for Cape Town and the surrounding area. There are many ways to 'do' Tabl...

In any case, only with sturdy shoes and with a conditional good wheater forecast.
Senial

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Dirtopia Short Circuit (Muratie - Stellenbosch)

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Hiking

near Elsenburg, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

2.58mi

Elevation +

472f

TrailRank

63| 5.0

This is the short circular dirtopia trail starting from Muratie Wine Estate. The trail is easy and the path is well defined and well marked with blue arrows (for hikers and trail runners) there are a few cycling trails w...

Very easy and very well signposted, lovely short nature/farm and vineyard walk to stretch the legs. Can be done with chi...
Maxime Yates

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Otter Trail Day 1 - Stormsriver to Ngubu Hut (Tsitsikamma)

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Hiking

near Marienburg, Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

2.98mi

Elevation +

410f

TrailRank

62| 5.0

Day one of the Otter trail starts at the Stormsriver gate and descends through the forest down to the Rocky coastline. The trail then follows the coast over rocks past the large cave to a high Waterfall. Thereafter it's ...

Nice Easy start in the forest onto the coast, can be done as a day trail to see the beautiful waterfall.
Maxime Yates

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Steenberg and Muizenberg Peaks Loop - (Silvermine East - Cape Town)

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Hiking

near Oude Raapkraal, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

6.22mi

Elevation +

1286f

TrailRank

62

This trail starting and ending at Silvermine East (Gate 2) ascends to Steenberg High peak and viewpoint before descending down to the communication towers and then back up again to Muizenberg Peak/Beacon. After summiting...
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Lion's Head

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Hiking

near Higgovale, Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

Port flora
with

Distance

3.38mi

Elevation +

1450f

TrailRank

61

A highlight reel hike for Cape Town or even South Africa. Fabulous views of the ocean/beaches/bays, Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles, Signal Hill and of course the city of Cape Town sprawled out below. The 'standard' p...
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Cathedral Peak Route

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Hiking

near Makhwelela, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

Rhino and Hedgehog

Distance

11.53mi

Elevation +

5190f

TrailRank

60| 3.83

Traditional route from Hotel to peak and return. There a Grade C scramble just before the summit which may challenge the faint of heart. Otherwise fairly easy peak above the 3000m ASL mark. Walking expect to take 10 h...

Thank you for this hike Rhino and Hedgehog! If you want to
Notdeadyet

Absolutely stunning views the whole way there and back! I got lost in the bottom third approximately and ended up near ...
Sebastien David

A great hike. We followed your path to the base of the summit. Amazing scenery, many 360 degree views. Thanks for postin...
Port flora

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Blindman's Corner

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Hiking

near Forest Ranger, Province of KwaZulu-Natal (Republic of South Africa)

Champagne Castle Hotel

Distance

8.36mi

Elevation +

2106f

TrailRank

59| 5.0

One of the most beautiful trails leaving from Champagne Castle Hotel, leading up to the foot of Cathkin Peak. The trail takes you past Crystal Falls (fill up with water here), along to the Sphinx, and then up to the c...

Very picturesque hike with some great stops along the way. Some technical sections that require your attention abs make ...
Dr Philthy

👍💪
Jose m. Jimenez 54

Absolutely amazing! Will be going back ASAP to do this one again!
JacoErasmus

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Up Spes Bona, Down Echo Valley - Kalk Bay (Cape Town)

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Hiking

near Kalkbaai, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

3.11mi

Elevation +

1375f

TrailRank

59| 5.0

This short trail starts and ends at Boyes drive above Kalk Bay. After parking one crosses the road and begins an immediate ascent. The trail splits at various points but intersections are well marked and the trail is wel...

Amazing views, easy enough and well demarcated
Maxime Yates

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Sosyskloof Loop - (Jonkershoek - Stellenbosch)

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Hiking

near Kylemore, Western Cape (South Africa)

Chris Eady

Distance

4.10mi

Elevation +

830f

TrailRank

58| 5.0

Note that there is an entrance fee to enter Jonkershoek Nature reserve, wildcards don't pay but, at the time of writing, you will need to show your wildcard confirmation email or log into the wildcard website to prove th...

The trail I suggested and everyone loved it ;). Very easy trail, Beautiful and well marked.
Maxime Yates

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