Pine forests and picnics. That’s what I always think of whenever I hear the word hiking; possibly due to frequenting Silvermine (in Cape Town) with my family when I was younger. Opening the car door I’d breathe in the scent of woody pine before looking up at the tree’s over the parking area, then scrambling out the car, hoisting on my backpack, helping to secure our rather boisterous dalmation (Scotty), and finally setting off  for a day of fun and family bonding. Unfortunately, most of the pines in that particular area have been cut down, due to being alien vegetation which consumes too much water. On the opposite side of the road from where we usually started hiking are some lovely picnic spots around the dam. This is a great place to take foreign friends to, due to the 360° views, shady areas and swimming opportunities, and as it’s a part of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve those up for a challenge can hike all the way across Table Mountain.

South Africa is known for its beautiful landscapes, spectacular views and mostly-lush scenery. With that in mind here are four of the best hiking trails around the country. If you disagree, then add your favorite ones in the comment section below, and feel free to add a link to any hiking posts you may have written. So without further ado, here are the top four hiking trails across the country:

1. As mentioned above, Silvermine offers some fantastic hiking trails, notably the one that leads to Elephant’s Eye Cave (an easy hour’s walk accessable from the top parking lot, or what I call Silvermine North). The main entranceto Silvermine is along Ou Kaapse Weg between Lakeside/Tokai and Fishhoek. If you head out for your hike in spring, you’ll likely see a few waterfalls on your trip – the leftover remanents of the winter rains – and with plenty of space and a distinct lack of people, it’s a great area to bring your pets. It’s not too arduous a journey, and the spectacular views make for some great photo opportunities (if you’re a fan of forced perspective photos, you’ll get some great shots). The scent of fynbos envelops you as you walk through the brush – and you may even spot the endangered Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, which exists only in Cape Town, as well as some common mountain dahlias, proteas and vygies (those little pink flowers that only open in the sun).

2. The Boesmanskloof trail between Greyton and MacGregor is rather challenging, though beautiful, and you will need a permit for it – available from CapeNature. It’s about a 15km hike which can be done from one town to the other and back again, in about two days for those very physically fit individuals. The hiking trail winds through the Riviersonderend Mountains, which makes it a gruelling affair if you’re going at a brisk pace. For those of us who aren’t built like Greecian gods with endless stamina, I’d recommend hiking at a leisurely pace, with frequent stops – the most beautiful being at Oak Falls which has cascading waterfalls, cool rock pools, a river and scattered shade. Rumour has it that children as young as eight have successfully navigated this trail with their families, so as long as you’re in no hurry, you’ll certainly enjoy the scenery, and can bring the little ones with.

3. The Otter Trail in the Eastern Cape is not for the faint of heart, though to be fair it is one of the most beautiful trails to be found within South Africa, and as such often needs to be booked far in advance. Being 42.5 kms long, this trail will take about five days, four nights to traverse. It offers vastly varied scenery that changes from rivers to tidal pools, to crashing waves upon rocky cliffs, to spotting bottle-nosed dolphins frolicking in the surf (binoculars recommended). The rivers along this trail do tend to swell after heavy rains, and some are only accessable at low tide – do not attempt to cross them if they look dangerous, rather follow one of the clearly marked escape routes for a short detour before heading back on track. There are a few forest huts, notably at Vasselot and the Storms River Mouth, however you will need to bring your own sleeping bag, cooking utilities and utensils.

4. Looming in the distance as you near the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, is the Drakensberg escarpment which literally translates to “Dragon mountain” in English. This mighty and majestic mountain offers a well-rounded hiking experience for beginners through to experts, and one of the recommended trails to take while here is the Sentinal Peak trail. This easy hike is the only one available which will take you to the top of the Drankensberg escarpment (Mount-Aux-Sources), and being only 6km long it should take roughly five hours there and back to Witsieshoek, which is the starting point. There are no real accommodations on offer in this area, so bring a tent and a sleeping bag  if you wish to stay overnight.

Tips:

• It’s best to start your hike early in the morning, as it will be slightly cooler and more manageable, especially if you’re out in the Karoo or areas with no shade. Also, never forget your hat – and yes, you can sunburn ontop of your head and look like you’re having a really bad dandruff attack when it peels.

• When hiking for a period of several days, ensure you take a backpack with an internal frame. This helps support the weight being placed on your back, and distributes a bit more to your hips. It’s best to pack the heavier loads close to your body, to prevent overbalancing and strain. Also throw in a first-aid kit, as well as tissues / a toilet roll, some immodium and valium … just incase anyone stops to drink from that murky rock pool.

• Don’t test out those new hiking boots you bought on the day of your hike, as it could lead to a rather uncomfortable time. Instead, break those new bad boys in a few days before by wearing them for at least 20 minutes a day.

• Strange though it may sound, always take a fresh pair of socks with you (more if necessary). Your feet tend to sweat when enclosed, which can lead to blisters, chaffing, and a generally painful experience. Once you’ve reached your half-way point for the day, take a break and change socks. You’ll feel fresher, smell a bit better, and won’t have to worry about chaffing.

• Even if you’re going on a day hike, and it may not look rainy or cloudy when you set out, always take a waterproof jacket / windbreaker. Weather often changes in a flash, and being stuck in a fog bank or rainstorm for 4 hours with nothing to warm you isn’t fun for anyone. Stay put and wait till the weather clears, as those who tend to carry on hiking regardless tend to either end up lost, dead or trapped (the only plus side being a mention in the papers if it’s a slow news week, however the helicopter rescue teams won’t be impressed).

• A flashlight and a deck of cards is also handy in case you end up stuck for a while on the mountain, and a spare pair of sunglasses never hurts either (you’ll thank me when you lose the pair your wearing, by leaning a bit too far watching the dassies play).

• Make sure to take at least a 1.5L bottle, though if you can manage 2L or have a camelback, then go with that as you can quickly dehydrate, without realising it. It’s also a good idea to keep a food bar or two on you for those who haven’t prepared a picnic lunch.

The above mentioned hiking trails aren’t the only great ones around. Some worthy of a mention include:

• Skeleton Gorge in Kirstenbosch Gardens. Western Cape.
• Lions Head, Western Cape.
• Swartberg Hiking Trail, Western Cape.
• Wartrail Skywalk, KwaZulu Natal.
• Kgalagadi, Northern Cape.
• Strandloper trail, Eastern Cape.
• Whale Trail, Western Cape.
• Waterbuck nature trail in the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve, Limpopo.

Hiking for me is one of the more enjoyable ways to get in tune with nature, as well as de-stress after a hectic week. There’s a tangible sense of serenity, as your worries slip away and your mind starts to wander as you view the scenery, before focusing on getting over a particularily tricky piece of terrain, while listening to the insects chirp and birds sing. But enough about how I find hiking, what are your thoughts? Do you have any favorite hiking memories you’d like to let us know about? Or maybe you feel like there’s something missing from the lists above?

Either way, feel free to share your opinion in the comments below.