South Africa is the perfect destination for hiking trips. There are many fantastic destinations to explore and spectacular settings, only reachable by foot and we are happy to share some of the unique hiking destinations worth visitng in the Western Cape. Hiking also allows you to lose the crowds and step away from it all, all while getting some exercise in!

Experience a hiking trip among fynbos (coastal and mountain shrubs) and vines in outstanding natural beauty in the Western Cape. The special flora and fauna in South Africa is an eldorado for hiking enthusiasts and photographers. Take the opportunity to try the local farms’ self-produced wines from the nereby wineries – some of South Africa’s absolute best!

Suggested Hiking Trips

12-DAYS HIKING TRIP IN WESTERN CAPE

The round trip begins in the capital of gastronomy, Franschhoek, followed by wine tasting in the traditional wine capital, Stellenbosch. Continuing to the Elgin Valley for the Green Mountain Trail adventure among fynbos and wine, hiking for 4 days / nights. To the scenic coastal town of Hermanus and ending the trip in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. During the trip you will experience Upplev Sydafrika’s best chosen restaurants and vineyards.

Furthermore information about the destinations

Franschhoek and Stellenbosch

For wine lovers – take part in a hike among vineyards. The hiking journey starts through vineyards, through beautiful wine valleys with incredable views of the Stellenbosch Mountain Range. Visit the gastronomic Franschhoek, the town which is well known for three quality things, you should be able to: eat well, drink well and sleep well. In Franschhoek you will experience several unforgetable visits to selected vineyards and award-winning restaurants. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, the Stellenbosch traditional wine region is known to be South Africa’s best. Over 200 wineries are located in the area and we will select a number of special wineries, all of which will have special character: some for their distinct farms and others for their exceptional quality of their wine.

Elgin

Experience a memorable adventure hike among the flora and fauna of uniquely beautiful nature in the Elgin Valley, Western Cape. In Overberg, from the Elgin valley, the Green Mountain Trail, a 4-day slackpacking trail that winds its way through fynbos and vines and is a total of 60 km, divided into four days. The Blue Mountain Trail is a 3-day slackpacking trail. Included in this adventure are home-cooked meals, wine tastings, transfers to and from the starting and end points, trained mountain guides and overnighting at the 4-star Wildekrans Country House. The accommodation is of a high standard as well as the food and the locally produced wines.

Hermanus

Hermanus with its grand nature is located in the beautiful area of Walker Bay which is surrounded by the ocean, beautiful mountains and miles of white beaches. Hermanus has become known as the “Whale Watching Capital of South Africa”. There is a 50 km network of trails where sea meets mountains. Hike in the unspoiled natural beauty of fynbos (coastal and mountain shrubs) and enjoy spectacular views overlooking Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Over 1400 different plants have been identified within the reserve, that surrounds the 15 square kilometers. East of the town you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the 21 km long Grotto Beach.

Cape Town

In Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, you will find Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is known to be one of the most picturesque gardens in the world. The garden landscape (includes 36 hectares) is beautifully situated in the eastern part of Table Mountain and accommodates more than 7,000 of the 22,000 native species in South Africa. From the Botanical Garden there is a spectacular hike, Skeleton Gorge, to the top of Table Mountain, with stunning views over the landscape. From the front side of Table Mountain, there is a beautiful hike, India-Venster, with stunning views of the Twelve Apostles, Camps Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Town, sometimes very steep slopes.

Visit the southernmost part of the Cape Peninsula, with its magnificent scenery. At Cape Point nature reserve you have the chance to see Bontebok, Eland and Ostrich. Take a short hike, and experience the dramatic Cape of Good Hope where the Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Diaz was the first to round 1488.