FOLLOWING a period of unfulfilled wanderlust and an increase in outdoor sports and activities, a new study reveals the greatest countries in the world for hiking vacations now that many travel restrictions have been abolished. To highlight how a walking holiday can be the perfect way to explore a new destination and get off the beaten track, SportsShoes. com created a unique index to crown which countries offer the best holiday hikes – reviewing the number of hiking related Instagram hashtags and Google searches for popular walking destinations globally. These are the top 10 hiking trails in SA: Rustig Hiking Trail, Gauteng Enjoy the magnificent views from the Magaliesberg mountains while on the Rustig Hiking Trail. The 11,9km hike is a popular loop trail with terrain that boasts wonderful
wildflowers and lush greenery. It is rated as strenuous as some areas can be quite challenging and steep at certain points. However, you have the option to choose to hike, walk, run, or simply enjoy the bird watching and scenery. Krom River Trail, Western Cape Some of the most breathtaking hiking paths in the Western Cape can be found in the Limietberg Nature Reserve in the Du Toitskloof mountains near Paarl. The 6,9 km Krom River Trail is one of them. It follows the river up the valley, and as it careens up onto the hill, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the mountain ranges. Along the walk, there are a few swimming spots to cool off in. Phaladingwe Hiking Trail, North West The track winds through high mountain trails, open grassland, a forested riverine with natural freshwater springs, and open
grassland with spectacular views of the Magaliesburg ranges. At 6,9km the loop trail is rated as moderate in difficulty. You might also be able to spot impala, kudu, nyala, mountain reedbuck, eland, bushbuck and duiker. Fanie Botha Hiking Trail, KwaZulu-Natal The Fanie Botha Hiking Trail is hailed for being one of South Africa’s top hiking trails. It’s in the Sabie region of the Drakensberg escarpment, and hikers can enjoy beautiful views of a variety of landscapes. At 45km long, hikers will pass through pine plantations, native woodlands, and waterfalls on their way to the trailhead. Mount Moodie and the Mac Mac Pools, as well as Lone Creek, a national monument, are the main attractions. The region is also rich in birdlife so keep your eyes peeled. The Otter Trail, Western Cape The Otter Track is a hiking
