Indice dei contenuti per 2022 in go!

DISCOVER NEW TRAILS AllTrails AllTrails is by far the most comprehensive trails database I’ve come across. Use your current location or search any place on the planet and AllTrails will provide hike suggestions near you. It offers route maps and descriptions, as well as details like distance, elevation and difficulty. You can save your favourites and write reviews for other hikers to read. It does have a tracking function, but this only works while the app is open and being used. Pro membership (R300 per year) allows you to download maps for offline use – the most useful additional feature. You also get alerts for wrong turns, you can print maps and unlock some additional map details. It’s a good app for day hikes on established trails with good signal.…

We arrive at the Harkerville Hut late in the afternoon on 4 January. Hikers usually stay here the night before they start the trail; it’s about 17 km from Plettenberg Bay. I’m feeling nervous. This trail is described as “not for everyone” and “not suitable for people scared of heights”. Also, “you have to be fairly fit”. What does fairly mean? I’m not scared of heights, and I enjoy the adrenaline kick of rock climbing, but I’m worried about my fitness level and the “not for everyone” part. What if the seven of us are everyone? Oh well, let’s think about that tomorrow. Right now, it’s time to celebrate the new year with a braai and sparkling wine. DAY 1 15 KM Harkerville Hut to Sinclair Hut It’s early. We’re…

It’s almost a year since I hiked in the Kruger Park, but I can still remember it so clearly. My senses knew something special was happening: My eyes could see we weren’t in a vehicle; my nostrils were filled with fresh Bushveld smells; my hands touched branches where elephants had rubbed their hides; and my feet stepped in the tracks of buffalo, waterbuck and leopard. There were so many new sounds for my ears to ponder, and the water we scooped from the Shingwedzi River tasted like minerals and tree roots. Now, every day, my body longs to be back in the veld. My shoulders seek the weight of a backpack and the rays of the sun. This is the price you pay for such a lifechanging experience! After four…

Philip Botha, Stellenbosch @southandyafrica Pondoland – the northern part of the Wild Coast – is known for its natural scenery and friendly people. When I visited Mbotyi, I walked this trail to Waterfall Bluff twice. The first 5 km were easy and on level terrain like beaches and grasslands. There was a new bay around every corner, with cattle, freshwater streams flowing into the sea, and no other people in sight. Then you hike up the back of Sugarloaf Hill to cross the Cutweni Valley and a few streams. If you hike the trail in winter, there are usually pods of dolphins hunting shoals of sardines in the sea – and so many whales that you’ll grow bored of them! About 10 km from the trailhead (3 km before you…

Every year, on Heritage Day, something happens on the Pakhuis Pass north of Clanwilliam that few people know about: A group of hikers hoist their backpacks, take a sip of water and head into the mountains. For two months. The Rim of Africa is about 750 km long and follows the Cape Fold Mountains from the Cederberg to the Outeniqua. Not everyone hikes the entire route (there are nine traverses in total), but everyone who has experienced even a little bit of the trail will say the same thing: You come back a different person. You don’t really do it for the hike; you do it to exist differently for a while. Here’s the story of this hike in the words of its own people. Ivan Groenhof – Co-founder It…

Thousands of years ago the southern African coastline was largely inaccessible – dense indigenous forests, mountains and deep valleys made establishing a route to the sea difficult. In the Southern Cape, the Cape Fold Mountains form a natural barrier between the drier interior and the temperate coast. Fortunately for us outdoor lovers – especially hikers – nature also provided a solution to discover these spaces, in the form of African elephants. These gentle giants were formidable path-builders – by moving through the forest on their migration routes, they created corridors. The elephants followed the same routes year after year, thus establishing pathways to the coast. On this guided, glamping hike you will trace the ellies’ancient footpaths. Each day follows a different route and the hikes will be tailored to the…

Not everyone agrees on the ideal weather conditions for a hike. Some people prefer it chilly, others like it slightly warmer. But no hiker would wish for what is currently happening outside our vehicles as we drive from Graaff-Reinet to Toorberg. Water empties from the grey sky and dams and rivers appear in the veld before our eyes. The mountains are invisible, tightly wrapped in mist. The bakkie in front of us fishtails on the road and gets stuck in the mud. I start to doubt whether we’ll even hike today. In fact, I’m hoping we won’t. We rescue the stricken vehicle and our guide Dawid de Wet leads us through a farm gate. Eventually, we pull over in a clearing. Dawid points to a spot where the clouds seem…

The cliffs form a crush pen for the day’s heat. Only the early morning hours show a little mercy; we pack up before dawn and set off without a word. At the first river crossing, we fill our bottles, wash our faces and look for the best route to the opposite bank. Soon the cliffs will catch the first rays of sunlight, an introduction to the play of light on stone that will continue throughout the day. Somewhere up ahead we’ll stop noticing the scenery, though. Exhaustion will numb our muscles and we’ll stumble over our own feet. We’ll think and act like a herd of sheep. Any scrap of greenery will make us long for easier times; a tree will make us huddle together to get out of the…

MIA LOUW K-Way Strata boots I had to buy new boots before the MagoebaskloofTrail (p 70). My previous leather ones were worn out and no longer waterproof. I bought these from Cape Union Mart – they’re waterproof and affordable, with nice colours to choose from, like taupe and burgundy or charcoal and teal. They’re so comfy it feels like you’re wearing slippers! As with any new boots, it’s important to wear them in and give your feet time to get used to them. Socks are also key – don’t skimp on cheap ones. R1 600 capeunionmart.co.za Inflatable pillow I have no idea why it took me so long to buy an inflatable pillow for hiking adventures. I thought it was something I could live without – I always just made…

When I told my sister that we were going to hike the Galpin overnight trail in Fernkloof Nature Reserve behind Hermanus, she gave us some insider information: “Look for the elephant shrew at the hut,” she said. “And you’ll definitely see Cape rock-jumpers behind the hut.” The Cape rock-jumper is enough reason to add this trail to your must-hike list, but the real draw for us is that it’s one of only a few overnight trails that young children can hike. It’s not that kids can’t manage other trails, it’s that most national parks and provincial reserves don’t allow children under 12 on their overnight routes. Our girls Emilie (10) and Bella (7) have been joining us on hikes since they were small; we figured it was time to challenge…

Many people used to think that Mont-aux-Sources (3 282 m) was the highest point in South Africa. Not so… In 2002, an expedition by the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) used the latest global navigation satellite systems at the time to measure our mountains, and they found that Mafadi, 67 km south-east of Mont-aux-Sources, is actually the highest at 3 451 m above sea level. (Some sources claim it’s 3 446 m.) The peak is not a striking spire, but rather a flattish summit measuring about 20 metres by 100 metres. But it’s still magnificent to stand there – for anyone willing to brave weather and wilderness, that is! That said, you don’t have to be an alpinist to climb Mafadi. Fit hikers who are comfortable with navigating can…

The campfire burns brightly at the Woodbush Hut and we all gather around. “Do you see that blue gum over there?” says Otto Wipplinger, pointing towards a tree straining above the canopy in the Woodbush Forest Reserve, about 700m away as the narina trogon flies. It’s the tallest planted tree in the world, and it grows right here in Magoebaskloof. After competitors in Tanzania and New Zealand tried to take the title, this particular blue gum was measured again in November last year. At a height of 83,7 m, it’s still king. My husband Hancu and I bumped into Otto and his charges at Woodbush – he’s a mountain guide and tour leader and he’s accompanying a group of high-schoolers on a three-day hike for the President’s Award, a modern…

Behind the Pakhuis Pass, the landscape swirls with globular, oranges-plattered rock formations that have been sculpted by aeons of erosion. Between these geomorphological art pieces lie patches of sun-bleached sand that bristle with rooibos plantations. The wispy plant stands defiant. Rooibos is tough and wiry. It doesn’t simply grow in the parched African interior. It grows in spite of the harshness. On a multi-day recce through Wupperthal’s valleys and mountains, I – the sole Engelsman in a group of 25 hikers – discovered the human manifestation of this enigmatic plant, with its perfect balance of sweetness and toughness: the tannie. You see, when Afrikaans is your second language, you don’t have enough tannies in your life. And because of this, you grow up deprived of important things like tuisgebakte beskuit,…

Belinda Joubert, Hartbeespoort @bj.inspire This short trail on the northern face of Table Mountain follows rock steps for 1 km, taking you from Tafelberg Road to the contour path. Once you’re on the contour path, you only walk a few metres around the corner of the mountain to get to a big rock that was once used as a sentry post. Sit down and you have a view of the Twelve Apostles to your left, Cape Town to your right and Lion’s Head in front of you. It’s an unparalleled panorama! I always leave here refreshed and ready for life’s challenges. Where? Park near the second hairpin bend on Tafelberg Road – the route starts at the gate of the Kloof Nek water treatment plant.…

Darren Smith, Randburg @dazmsmith Rich in geology, biodiversity, and human heritage, the Magaliesberg is a national treasure. Indeed, the Magaliesberg Biosphere was proclaimed an international Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2015. Castle Gorge is within this paradise, featuring beautiful waterfalls, clear pools, and rock formations. A relatively unknown access point via the Maretlwane Wilderness School property (owned by the Maretlwane Trust) makes for a shorter, easier route from the north to this sought-after spot. (Access is limited to 16 hikers at any one time.) After a flattish start on a jeep track, the next 2 – 3 km section is a steady climb on a well-marked single track, taking you into the heart of Castle Gorge. The sight of the waterfalls is always wonderful. Do the short, sharp scramble up…

Judith Stopforth, Durbanville @judithstopforth This hiking trail is not for the faint of heart! It gets steeper and steeper, with loose rock, slippery clay and sand. The last stretch also requires you to grip onto some roots. For these reasons, it’s only appropriate for experienced hikers and adventure seekers, and should not be attempted in winter. The forest you walk through at the beginning of the hiking trail is clearly an old-growth forest. We saw some spectacular mushrooms as well as a snake-like vine hugging a tree. The views are beautiful, especially towards the end when giant trees close up around you and dark rock walls soar up on both sides leading to the top of the mountain. When you reach the top of The Saddle, you can follow Newlands…

Nasreen Roberts, Cape Town @nasreenroberts Tranquillity Cracks form an intricate maze of mossy passageways concealed from the city bustle – it’s a peaceful and almost otherworldly escape; the perfect spot to stop and enjoy a picnic and hang out for a while. Because the trail is hidden and missed by most, you might be lucky enough to have the cracks to yourself. There are several routes from the Pipe Track to the cracks – I prefer Corridor Ravine. Where? Park on the southern end of Theresa Avenue in Bakoven and follow the path that goes straight up the mountain for 500 m to the junction with the Pipe Track. Keep to the right for 1,7 km (past Woody, Three Firs and Slangolie ravines) to where Corridor Ravine goes up on…

The Naukluft Mountains jag the horizon on the roads leading to Solitaire and Sesriem. They’re mysterious, and they’ll remain a mystery for most visitors to Namibia, seen through a car window as you speed through to somewhere else. But not if you hike the Naukluft Trail – a 120 km, eight-day loop. You’ll get to know the mountain’s pale-winged starlings and Verreaux’s eagles, its Hartmann’s mountain zebra and its fleetfooted klipspringers. You’ll disappear into its shadowy gorges and sometimes soak your tired body in its cool mountain pools. This photo was taken on Day 6 of the hike, which started with a steep climb from the hut at Die Valle up to perfect pools where wispy waterfalls poured down more than a hundred metres. The day ended with a gradual…