The Top 10 Best Hiking Trails in South Africa in 2026
South Africa is home to some of the world’s most picturesque hiking trails, and many of them are both easy to hike and easy to get to.
From a 42.5km coastal trail in the Garden Route to a chain-ladder ascent in the Drakensberg that puts you on top of the second-highest waterfall on earth, the country’s walking routes cover terrain that most hikers will never find elsewhere.
Before we get into the finer details of the trails mentioned on this top 10 list, this quick overview will get you started:
| Trail | Location | Distance | Duration | Difficulty |
| Otter Trail | Garden Route, Western Cape | 42.5km | 5 days | Moderate to hard |
| Tugela Gorge to Tugela Falls | Drakensberg, KZN | 13.5km | 1 day | Challenging |
| Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge | Cape Town | 5.8km | Half day | Moderate |
| Giant’s Cup Trail | Southern Drakensberg, KZN | 60km | 5 days | Moderate |
| Lion’s Head Summit | Cape Town | 4.5km | 2 to 3 hours | Moderate |
| Robberg Nature Reserve Loop | Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route | 7.9km | 3 to 4 hours | Moderate |
| Fanie Botha Hiking Trail | Mpumalanga escarpment | 77km | 5 days | Moderate to hard |
| Hoerikwaggo Trail | Table Mountain to Cape Point | 87.9km | 5 days | Hard |
| Whale Trail | De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape | 55km | 5 days | Moderate |
| Blyde River Canyon Trails | Mpumalanga, Panorama Route | Various | Half to full day | Easy to moderate |
Otter Trail, Garden Route
The Otter Trail is South Africa’s most celebrated hiking route, a 42.5km coastal traverse through Tsitsikamma National Park from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley, completed over 5 days with 4 overnight huts.
The trail traverses a very scenic landscape, never straying far from the shoreline, but often climbing steeply and descending to the beach or a river crossing.
Tide awareness is essential: the Bloukrans River crossing on day 4 must be timed for low tide. Permits sell out months in advance and are booked through SANParks.
Tugela Gorge to Tugela Falls, Drakensberg
The Tugela Gorge trail is a 13.5km return day hike in the Northern Drakensberg leading to Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall at 948 metres, taller than the Empire State Building.
The Amphitheatre is three times larger than Yosemite’s famous El Capitan.
River crossings and boulder scrambling make this a physically demanding route best suited to hikers with solid trail experience. Start before 7 am to allow enough time for the chain ladder section.
Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge, Cape Town
The Platteklip Gorge route is the oldest and most direct path to the Table Mountain summit, covering 5.8km with 669 metres of elevation gain along a well-marked stone stairway.
This trail is ideal for beginners tackling the mountain for the first time, with stunning views of the Cape Peninsula along the way.
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the ascent. The cable car provides a useful descent option for hikers who prefer not to repeat the climb.
Giant’s Cup Trail, Southern Drakensberg
The Giant’s Cup Trail is a 60km multi-day hike through the Southern Drakensberg with a maximum daily distance of 13.3km, making it the most accessible introduction to Drakensberg multi-day hiking.
The five-day hike takes you through the heart of the Drakensberg, with opportunities to see waterfalls, diverse flora, and incredible birdlife.
Terrain includes grassland, yellowwood forest, and rock pool sections. Overnight huts are basic but weatherproof and bookable through Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Lion’s Head Summit, Cape Town
Lion’s Head is a 4.5km circular trail to a 669-metre summit with 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, and both coastlines, completed in 2 to 3 hours.
This hike gives you those Insta-worthy snaps. It’s a bit of a climb and can get pretty busy during peak season (November to February), but worth it for the amazing views.
Start before 7 am during summer to avoid the crowds. The chain and ladder sections near the summit require both hands.
Robberg Nature Reserve Loop, Plettenberg Bay
The Robberg loop is a 7.9km peninsula circuit near Plettenberg Bay with coastal views and a resident colony of approximately 6,000 Cape fur seals.
The trail covers rocky headlands, sandy beach sections, and cliff-edge paths above the Indian Ocean. 3 shorter loop options exist for hikers who want a 2km or 4km version instead of the full route.
Permits are required at the entrance gate and cost R200 per adult in 2026.
Oom Paul Backpacker’s Trail, Mpumalanga
The Oom Paul Hiking Trail is a 2-day route, up in the Skurweberg in the Machadodorp, Mpumalanga area. It takes you through two private farms, Poppieskroon and Bermondsey, and it can either start or end at Bermanzi, depending on the direction you decide to set out from.
It is considered an unusual trail, one with plenty of fascinating views, and it can be quite challenging for people who are not used to hiking.
For hikers wanting to explore a lesser-seen side of the escapement, this trail never disappoints.
Hoerikwaggo Trail, Table Mountain to Cape Point
The Hoerikwaggo Trail covers 87.9km over 5 days from Table Mountain to Cape Point through the Cape Peninsula’s fynbos, cliffside paths, and coastal scenery.
There are a number of options where you can do shorter two or three-day hikes along the trail.
Guided by Cape Nature, the trail includes 4 overnight tented camps positioned at notable viewpoints. This is the most logistically complete multi-day trail in the Western Cape, with gear transported between camps.
Whale Trail, De Hoop Nature Reserve
The Whale Trail is a 55km, 5-day coastal hike through the De Hoop Nature Reserve near Bredasdorp, with Southern Right Whale sightings a near certainty between June and November.
5 overnight cottages are provided along the route, each fully equipped with gas cooking, bedding, and solar power.
The trail is limited to 12 hikers per group per departure. Bookings open one year in advance and the peak months fill within days of opening.
Blyde River Canyon Trails, Mpumalanga
The Blyde River Canyon trails form a network of day walks around one of the largest green canyons in the world, with routes ranging from 2km viewpoint walks to 8km gorge descents. Some of the greatest highlights of this trail include Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, and the Three Rondawels viewpoint, all accessible via the Panorama Route.
The Three Rondavels is an easy walk to one of the world’s most dramatic canyon vistas with lush subtropical scenery.
No permits or bookings are required for day walks. The canyon sits within easy reach of both Nelspruit and the Mpumalanga escarpment.
