South Africa has a way of pulling you into places you don’t forget. It might be the stillness of a forest, the sweep of a mountain view, or the rhythm of your steps along a coastal path. Whatever the setting, hiking trails here are never just about the scenery — they’re about the connection you feel while you’re there. At Where It All Began, we believe the best hikes balance awe-inspiring scenery with care for the places and people that make them possible.
Our approach to travel is rooted in sustainability: leaving nature as we found it, supporting communities along the way, and making sure each step has a positive impact. Whether it’s the cultural charm of our Adventurous Cape Peninsula & Overberg Hike or the wilderness-meets-wildlife experience of Adventure Hiking in Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls, every journey is designed to connect you deeply with South Africa’s landscapes.
What counts as a Hiking Trail?
So, what are hiking trails? At their simplest, they’re paths that take you into nature on foot – anything from an easy loop in a forest to a week-long route across mountain ranges. In South Africa, hiking trails cover every kind of landscape. Some are short and accessible, others more demanding, but each one offers a different way to slow down and connect with the outdoors.
For many, hiking is best enjoyed as part of a bigger experience. That’s where hiking tours come in; journeys that link hiking trails together and add the cultural and natural highlights along the way. If you’d rather not worry about maps or logistics, guided hikes in South Africa are a great option.
Best Hiking Trails in South Africa
South Africa’s hiking scene is rich and varied, offering routes that suit every type of walker. Some trails are world-famous, while others are little-known paths that reveal quieter corners of the country. Here are a few of the best:
- Table Mountain: The Cape Town classic. Multiple routes lead to the summit, each with its own character from steep climbs to gentle traverses. Whichever you choose, the reward is a view that sweeps from city to sea.
- Drakensberg Hiking Trails: Known for dramatic cliffs and open valleys, the Drakensberg offers some of South Africa’s best multi-day mountain routes. Trails vary in length and difficulty, but all deliver a sense of scale that’s hard to match.
- Tsitsikamma Hiking Trails: Part of the Garden Route, these trails combine indigenous forest, ocean cliffs, and the iconic suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth.
- Wilderness Hiking Trail: Set in the Western Cape, this four-day wilderness experience immerses you in rivers, dunes, and quiet forest … a rare chance to truly disconnect.
- Village-to-Village Hiking in Riviersondend: A cultural journey linking small communities and mountain landscapes, showing how hiking can connect people as well as places.
- Marloth Nature Reserve: A Swellendam gem with waterfalls, fynbos, and mountain scenery, perfect for those seeking quieter trails.
Together, these routes show just how diverse South Africa’s trails are – from coastal forests to high mountain passes, cultural encounters to untouched wilderness.
Table Mountain, Cape Town
Garden Route, Tsitsikamma
Hiking Trails in Cape Town for Beginners
Cape Town is one of the easiest places to start hiking. Trails are close to the city, easy to follow, and come with incredible views. Three of the best for beginners are:
- Lion’s Head: A short, popular climb that takes about 90 minutes to two hours. It’s a bit steep in places, but the 360° views over Table Mountain, the city, and the ocean make it worth the effort.
- Pipe Track: A gentle contour path beneath Table Mountain. It’s flat, scenic, and perfect for a relaxed morning walk.
- Newlands Forest: Shaded trails through tall trees, ideal for families or anyone looking for a peaceful escape without leaving town.
Cape Town also offers 3-day hiking trails for those ready to try something longer, but these shorter loops are a great place to begin. For more advice, see our tips for hiking in Cape Town
Hiking Trails with Waterfalls
Few experiences rival reaching a roaring waterfall at the end of your hike. The sound often reaches you first – a low, distant rumble that grows louder with every step. The air cools, the light softens, and then suddenly the view opens to rushing water that seems alive with energy.
In the Tsitsikamma, forest paths weave through ancient trees before revealing cascades tucked deep into the greenery. In the Drakensberg, the Tugela Falls drops more than 900 metres – one of the highest waterfalls in the world – reached via dramatic mountain hiking trails that test your stamina but reward you with unforgettable views. Along the Garden Route and around indigenous forests in Knysna and Wilderness, shorter hiking trails lead to shaded pools where you can rest your feet and take in the quiet.
Waterfall areas are fragile ecosystems. Stick to marked paths, avoid leaving litter, and never use soap or chemicals in natural pools. Respecting these spaces ensures future hikers will find them just as pure and powerful.
Otter Trail Waterfall, Tsitsikamma
Tugela Falls, Drakensberg
South Africa Hiking Tours & Multi-Day Adventures
Sometimes a single day on the trail isn’t enough. Multi-day hikes let you slow down, disconnect, and settle into the rhythm of walking, sleeping under the stars, and waking up to new scenery each morning. South Africa has some of the best long-distance hiking trails in the world, ranging from demanding to surprisingly accessible.
The legendary Otter Trail is a 5-day hiking trail in South Africa that follows the Garden Route coastline. Expect river crossings, wild cliffs, and the sound of the ocean as your constant companion. The Amatola Trail, also a 5-day hike, is tougher – winding through forests, mountains, and countless waterfalls in the Eastern Cape.
For those with less time, there are also excellent 3-day hiking trails in South Africa, especially in the Cederberg and Drakensberg, where shorter circuits still pack in big mountain views and a sense of remoteness.
Joining a guided tour can make these adventures even more rewarding. With logistics taken care of – from permits to meals – you’re free to enjoy the walk. Guides also bring cultural context, safety, and a focus on sustainability, ensuring the trails you love remain protected. Explore the options in our full collection of Hiking & Walking Journeys.
Sustainable Hiking in South Africa
Walking in wild places comes with a responsibility. Trails cut through delicate ecosystems, and even small actions can leave a mark. That’s why we follow the “Leave No Trace” principle: carry your waste out, stick to marked paths, and let the plants, animals, and rocks stay where they are. Simple choices like these make sure the same landscapes are there for the next hiker.
But sustainability is also about people. Many of South Africa’s best hiking trails run through areas where communities live and work. Choosing community-based tourism – local guides, small lodges, and village-run projects – means your hike supports the people who protect these landscapes every day. For us at Where It All Began, this isn’t an optional extra. It’s central to how we design trips. A walk through a secret valley in Magoebaskloof is a good example: stunning forest scenery paired with community partnerships that keep the valley thriving. Hiking should always leave more than footprints – it should leave a positive impact.
Why Choose a Hiking Trip in South Africa?
South Africa is one of those places where the landscapes change every time you turn a corner. You can spend one day on a mountain ridge, the next in a quiet forest, and the day after that following a trail along the coast. Wildlife often shares the path with you, and villages along the way remind you that hiking is also about people, not just places.
What makes it special is the balance: incredible scenery combined with real cultural encounters and a commitment to keeping trails unspoiled. Walking here means supporting local guides and communities while protecting the wild spaces that make the journey worthwhile.Ready to start planning? Explore our collection of curated hiking trips in South Africa and let’s find the trail that speaks to you. Your South African hiking adventure begins the moment you take that first step.
