The hiking thread!

[Elfreako]

Cool, so this is a new hobby that I'm starting. I'm looking to do a couple half day / day hikes twice a month, and maybe look at doing a multi-day hike every 6 months or so.

I was thinking it would be a great idea to start a thread where everyone can share where to go and any tips they might have.

So where have you gone and would like to recommend? And what sort of difficulty was it?

 

[supersunbird]

Great idea, I have a BackPacker Boulder 85l backpack that I havent used i a decade thats yearning to be used. Problem is, can't hike on my own...

 

[ebii]

You must go and hike at Castle Gorge near Hartbeespoort. Here is information on the trail:
http://www.footprint.co.za/castlegorge.htm

 

[Elfreako]

You must go and hike at Castle Gorge near Hartbeespoort. Here is information on the trail:
http://www.footprint.co.za/castlegorge.htm

Thanks that place looks awesome!

 

[copacetic]

Haven't been hiking in years and I love it.

 

[joeymojo]

I love hiking, but havent put those boots on for ages. Most probably dont fit anymore.

 

[The_MAC]

I am going to try and revive this stale thread, here goes...

We are doing Fanie Botha month end, the 2 day (23km/14km) route. Anyone else do it, how was it, was there water along the route? (I guess since there are many options on this hike, I am asking water availability in general)

I have done the Drakensberg Northern Traverse and Otter, so this one has been on the list for some time, looking forward to it.

Fanie Botha Hiking Trail - Hiking South Africa

The Fanie Botha Trail is still considered by many to be one of the best trails in South Africa and should be high on every hiker’s to-do list.

www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za

 

[kolaval]

Shipwreck in port alfred is a 6 day, slackpacking hike.
It's on the beach and you can even row 2 days

 

[The_MAC]

Shipwreck in port alfred is a 6 day, slackpacking hike.
It's on the beach and you can even row 2 days

Cool, will check it out.

For some reason, I don't like slackpacking, I actually love carrying a heavy pack - I'm a sucker for punishment..

 

[kolaval]

Cool, will check it out.

For some reason, I don't like slackpacking, I actually love carrying a heavy pack - I'm a sucker for punishment..

Yea we went with the kids so we wanted that option

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

I am going to try and revive this stale thread, here goes...

We are doing Fanie Botha month end, the 2 day (23km/14km) route. Anyone else do it, how was it, was there water along the route? (I guess since there are many options on this hike, I am asking water availability in general)

I have done the Drakensberg Northern Traverse and Otter, so this one has been on the list for some time, looking forward to it.

Fanie Botha Hiking Trail - Hiking South Africa

The Fanie Botha Trail is still considered by many to be one of the best trails in South Africa and should be high on every hiker’s to-do list.

www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za

I was looking at this a month ago
Looks really nice

 

[The_MAC]

I was looking at this a month ago
Looks really nice

I will provide a brief review upon return

 

[CamiKaze]

I went hiking on Saturday.
Constantia Nek, Cecilia Waterfall, Skeleton Gorge and the Diving Board.
It was a 20km hike.

Keen on a multi day hike but I don't have the necessary gear yet.

 

[The_MAC]

I went hiking on Saturday.
Constantia Nek, Cecilia Waterfall, Skeleton Gorge and the Diving Board.
It was a 20km hike.

Keen on a multi day hike but I don't have the necessary gear yet.

Nice!

If you book an overnight hike that has huts, then you don't need too much - and there are plenty hikes in SA with huts.

You basically just need a slightly larger bag, sleeping bag and possibly a gas stove and small pot/pan (if there are braai facilities and you are doing 1 night, then you can even have steak) - the rest are basic items i.e. toiletries, towel, extra clothes, cutlery, food and snacks etc.

 

[CamiKaze]

Nice!

If you book an overnight hike that has huts, then you don't need too much - and there are plenty hikes in SA with huts.

You basically just need a slightly larger bag, sleeping bag and possibly a gas stove and small pot/pan (if there are braai facilities and you are doing 1 night, then you can even have steak) - the rest are basic items i.e. toiletries, towel, extra clothes, cutlery, food and snacks etc.

Yeah we are looking at the Cape Point option

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

I went hiking on Saturday.
Constantia Nek, Cecilia Waterfall, Skeleton Gorge and the Diving Board.
It was a 20km hike.

Keen on a multi day hike but I don't have the necessary gear yet.

View attachment 1237098

That's a nice trail
Diving board looks calm, I havent been able to go that far out on it yet, always too damn windy

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Yeah we are looking at the Cape Point option

Agree with MAC there, Cape Point doesnt need much, cottages has beds and stuff so you just carry a light pack
Get a proper backpack when you can afford it, should last you a lifetime if you choose the right one and look after it

 

[EMAM]

I went hiking on Saturday.
Constantia Nek, Cecilia Waterfall, Skeleton Gorge and the Diving Board.
It was a 20km hike.

Keen on a multi day hike but I don't have the necessary gear yet.

View attachment 1237098

That Cecelia hike.....done once, no thanks, never again, I hated every minute of it

 

[The_MAC]

Agree with MAC there, Cape Point doesnt need much, cottages has beds and stuff so you just carry a light pack
Get a proper backpack when you can afford it, should last you a lifetime if you choose the right one and look after it

You can find plenty good quality second hand items on the Hiking South Africa forum - some people buy incorrect things, or buy better stuff, then you can pick them up quite cheap

The Hiking South Africa Forum

South Africa's online hiking community

community.hikingsouthafrica.co.za

 

[The_MAC]

That Cecelia hike.....done once, no thanks, never again, I hated every minute of it

Too tough? Boring? Baboons? What spoilt the walk?