Most of us at Tarlen love hiking. Over the years, we’ve managed to tick off some of the best trails in South Africa from our bucket lists. Every now and then, you’ll hear a member of the team share a story or tip from these adventures around the office.
So naturally, when we decided to write about the top hiking trails in South Africa, everyone had something to share.
Each trail is unique and has its own character, different lengths, difficulty levels, and payoffs. Some hikes can be done in only a few hours. Others might last a full day. And a few could stretch over several days, needing you to plan your food, water, camping, and accommodation.
Whatever the length, or difficulty, the scenery and experience always makes the effort worthwhile.
Table of content
Otter trail, Garden route
Length: 45 km
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 5 days
If you enjoy multi-day hikes, the Otter Trail is the perfect challen for you. It’s one of the popular ones in South Africa, and runs along the coastline of the Garden Route within Tsitsikamma National Park.
Most hikers will describe the Otter Trail as adventurous and fun rather than strenuous. Over the course of the hike, you’ll navigate cliffs, forests, and sandy beaches, with the chance of spotting dolphins or Cape clawless otters.
There’s little major elevation gain, but the trail can get technical with roots, rocks, and boulders that require some scrambling. One highlight (and challenge) is a river crossing that, at high tide, forces you to swim across. Bring a waterproof bag for your valuables and food.
Because of its popularity and strict limit of 12 hikers per day, bookings open up to a year in advance, so plan early.
Table Mountain - Platteklip Gorge, Cape Town
Length: 3 km
Difficulty level: Moderate to Hard
Time: 5 hours
The Table Mountain hike is one of Cape Town’s most popular trails, second only to Lion’s Head. It’s straightforward, no navigation needed, just a steady 3 km climb. But don’t underestimate it: the trail is steep, there’s little shade, and no protection on hot days.
Most hikers plan a one way trip and take the cable car down. Still, the climb is demanding, and many underestimate it, leading to rescues.
Taroko trails, Johannesburg
Length: Multiple trails ranging from 2 km to 11 km
Difficulty level: Easy
Time: 3 hours
Located in the Taroko Nature Reserve in Modderfontein, these trails are perfect for casual hikers and families. They’re mostly flat, and offer a relaxed outing without the technical challenges of many other trails on this list.
You’ll find several routes for both hiking and cycling, plus good spots for birdwatching. Watch out for the cyclists. There isn’t much cover, so bring a hat, snacks, and plenty of water.
Afterward, treat yourself to food and live music at the nearby farmers market.
Kromrivier waterfall hike, Paarl
Length: 8 km
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 4 hours
The Kromrivier hike in the Limietberg Nature Reserve is a rewarding trail with a gorgeous payoff. The hike is best done in the shoulder seasons: September – October or April – May. In summer it’s often too crowded, and in winter the overflowing river usually covers the path.
Access requires a permit, and only 24 are issued daily. Along the way you’ll encounter two waterfalls, each with inviting pools. The first waterfall is about 45–60 minutes into your hike and is perfect for a picnic and swim. The second has a larger pool which is even better, but reaching it means climbing a cliff with the help of a chain ladder.
It’s a trail that feels like an adventure, especially if you make it to the second waterfall.
Giant Cup Trail, Drakensberg National Park
Length: 60km
Difficulty level: Moderate to Hard
Time: 5 days
The Giant Cup Trail offers a multi-day hiking experience through the Drakensberg that rivals the Otter Trail. Over 5 days, you’ll cross streams, pools, and rugged rock formations, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.
Each day on the trail brings a mix of challenge and quiet reflection. It’s less about steep climbs on the Giant cup trail and more about endurance and connection with nature and self discovery.
Even with tired legs, hikers are rewarded with the serenity of unspoiled nature and the chance to spot herds of antelopes grazing along the way.
Green Mountain Trail, Wine Route
Length: 60 km
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 4 days
The Green Mountain Trail is a 4 day slackpacking hike in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. Founded in 2007, it combines hiking with unique dining and wine-tasting experiences.
Each day, you cover about 18 km through privately owned farms, beginning at the Wildekrans Country House. You’ll start your day with a hearty breakfast, and end with delicious dinner (and wine), with perfect country hospitality. You definitely won’t go hungry on this trail.
Hike groups are capped at 10 people, and a minimum of 7. If your group is smaller, you’ll be paired with others, making it not just a hike but also a chance to connect and form new friendships.
Tugela Falls hike in Drakensberg National Park
Length: 14 km
Difficulty level: Moderate to hard
Time: 5 hours round trip
Hiking in the Drakensberg is an unforgettable experience, and the Tugela Falls hike cannot be described, just felt. It’s ideal for those who want a day hike without camping but still want to experience the mountains.
The Tugela falls has the unofficial record of the world as the world’s tallest waterfall. The hike itself is full of variety; boulder scrambling, river hopping, cave exploring, and for the adventurous, a 50-foot chain ladder climb to the top of the falls.
The best time to go is autumn (March – May), when the waterfall flows at its strongest. From September to November, the falls often dry up completely.
Tankwa Camino, Calvinia, Northern Cape
Length: 257 km
Difficulty level: Extreme
Time: 10 days
The Tankwa Camino is not for the faint of heart. Inspired by traditional pilgrimages, it’s a grueling 10 day trek across the dry, dramatic Karoo. Hiking the Tankwa Camino requires you to average 27 km per day.
Fortunately, a support vehicle carries your tent, luggage, and extra supplies to each campsite. But during the day, you’re on your own, managing the heat, blisters, and long hours on foot. Water is provided along the way, so you only need to carry what you’ll drink during each stretch.
Seasoned trekkers recommend building up to this hike with other shorter multi-day hikes before attempting the Tankwa. It’s a physical and mental challenge like no other.
Here’s a detailed guide on preparing for the Camino.
The Whale Trail (De Hoop Nature Reserve)
Length: 60 km
Difficulty level: Moderate to Hard
Time: 5 days
The Whale Trail is a 5 day coastal hike through one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world. If you go between June and November, you might be treated to the sight of Southern Right Whales migrating to the area to breed and protect their calves.
The trail offers endless ocean views and rugged coastal scenery. Your gear can be transported from one hut to the next for a fee, which makes the trek more manageable. Like the Otter Trail, it’s in high demand, so bookings usually need to be made a year in advance.
Wild Coast Waterfall Trail
Length: 90 km
Difficulty level: Moderate to Hard
Time: 5 days
The Eastern Cape has some of the most unspoiled coastlines in the world, and the Wild Coast Waterfall Trail is a perfect way to experience them. Over five days, you’ll pass through rural villages, cross sandy beaches, and encounter shipwrecks scattered along the shore.
From the very first day, the trail keeps things exciting with different unique environments. Starting with the 153-meter-long Mzamba suspension bridge over the Mzamba river, then barefoot walks over sandy beaches, followed by stretches of the red desert, wading through chest deep water, and paddling a boat through the deeper parts.
If you go between May and July, you might witness the famous Sardine Run, a mass migration of millions of sardines accompanied by dolphins and whales hunting them. It’s often described as the “greatest shoal on earth.”
Rim of Africa, Cape Town
Length: 760 km thru-hike, or 60–115 km for individual traverses
Difficulty level: Hard
Time: Thru hike – 62 days, individual traverses – 5 days
The Rim of Africa is South Africa’s longest hiking route, a 760 km trail that follows the Cape Fold Mountains from the Cederberg to the Outeniqua range. The full hike takes around 90 days, but most hikers choose one of the 9 traverses, each lasting 7 – 10 days.
Every traverse is tough, with thick vegetation, rugged rock scrambles, river crossings, and unpredictable weather. But the rewards are immense: raw wilderness, awesome views, and the chance to immerse yourself fully in the Cape mountains.
Bonus: Fish River Canyon, Southern Namibia
Length: 85 km
Difficulty level: Hard
Time: 5 days
Although not in South Africa, the Fish River Canyon is too iconic to not share. As the second-largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon in the United States), it attracts nature lovers and geology enthusiasts from around the globe.
The trek will push you, with steep climbs, boulder fields, and multiple river crossings. You’ll need to carry your own gear, food, and water. Essentials include sturdy boots, a warm jacket, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, and a first aid kit.
Despite the difficulty, many hikers describe the journey as life-changing. The vast scale of the canyon is humbling, while the solitude, star-filled nights, and wildlife sightings, zebra, kudu, oryx, even baboons, make it unforgettable.
The best season to hike is May to September, when temperatures are cooler. Summer in Namibia is far too hot for such a long trek.
Not all who wander are lost…
Plan your adventure
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