The best ways to explore the adventure province is to get out in nature and experience the many hiking trails in Eastern Cape.
Adventure awaits with some of South Africa�s very best hiking trails in Eastern Cape.
Hiking is world-renowned for its positive effects on humans stress and anxiety levels, as well as being a powerful cardio workout that can lower the risk of heart disease, improve blood pressure and sugar levels! What other reason do you need to be convinced to explore hiking trails in Eastern
Cape?
Being able to recharge and reconnect with yourself, your friends or loved one is one of the very few benefits of hiking. Grab some friends, or pack light and head out alone. South Africa is home to some of the worlds very best hiking trails, and the adventure province is no exception.
Are you ready to explore the hiking trails in Eastern Cape? The Eastern Cape has hiking trails to cater for the beginner hiker to the avid experienced hiker.
A few of the best hiking trails in Eastern Cape
The Otter Trail is one of South Africa�s most well-known and popular hiking trails. This trail also ranks amongst some of the world�s very best hiking trails. The Otter Trail was established in 1868, making it the oldest trail in South Africa. The trail is 45km in total distance and takes the average hiker 4 and a half, to 5 days to complete. Due to the physical demands of the Otter Trail, there are age restrictions in place: no under 12 years old, and no over 65 years old are allowed to head out onto the trail.
The Otter Trail crosses over two river mouths, the Elandsbos and the Bloukrans Rivers and hikers need to take into account the ocean tides to ensure that they schedule their hiking times to cross the river mouths during low tide.
Every year this renowned hiking trail brings hordes of visitors from all over the world to take part in two very popular events, South Africa�s most famous hike – The Otter Trail Hike
in March, and the Grail of Trail – Otter Trail Run in October each year.
The Dolphin Trail allows hiking enthusiasts to experience the beauty and wonder of the Tsitsikamma Forest, with luxurious overnight accommodation and exquisite cuisine. No heavy backpacks are call of the hiking day and so you will experience a hiking trail that will both challenge, and pamper you! The trail is 17km in total distance, starting at the Garden Route National Park and ends at the banks of the Sandrift River at The Fernery.
Hikers are spoilt with spectacular views of the Tsitsikamma coastline, as well as the possibility of whale and dolphin spotting – it�s not called the Dolphin Trail for nothing. Book a 3 day hiking holiday, where all your heavy luggage is transported by vehicle each day, and you are met with warm exquisite cuisine and luxuriously comfortable accommodation each night.
Take a walk on the wild side with the Addo Elephant National Park. There are no guided trails in the main Addo game area due to the fact that the bush is very thick, and the wild game is dangerous � it is called the Big Five after all!
There is a two day hike along the Alexandria Hiking Trail which is a 32km long trail through the Woody Cape Section of the Addo Elephant Park. This hiking trail is one of the best ways to experience the Alexandria Dunefield. The Alexandria Dunefield stretches 50km from Sundays River mouth to Bushmans River and is one of the largest active coastal dunefields in the world!
There is also the Zuurberg Hiking Trail, which is closer to the Addo Elephant Game Reserves main game area. There is a 3km hike following the Cycad Trail, or an 8km hike following the Doringnek Trail. Both trails will give hikers the outdoor experience of a lifetime � with the remarkable beauty of unspoilt nature and wildlife, up close. The 8km Doringnek Hike is not recommended for the elderly as it is quite physically challenging. Both of these trail should be top on your list of hiking trails in Eastern Cape!
The benefits of hiking are insurmountable for both body and soul and the hiking trails in Eastern Cape are on many local and international bucket lists. Hiking enthusiasts, beginner and experienced, come from near and far to explore all the natural beauty that the adventure province has to offer.
The vast range of hiking trails in Eastern Cape cater for both the young and fit, as well as the young at heart! The adventure province always delivers, especially when it comes to promising some of the best hiking trails in the world.
For more information on hiking trails and guided hikes, visit our website or the South African National Parks website.
