Beautiful images from SA hiking trails

South Africa is hiking heaven and we can’t wait to get out there again. To smell fresh mountain air, have a picnic on the way and at last, that view. Hiking is not only great exercise, it’s a great stress reliever and mood booster too.

We get carried away by some magical snapshots of some of the country’s best hiking trails. Take a look:

 

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Back from my Drakensberg Grand Traverse… what an epic journey! This photo taken on my cellphone just below Mafadi (Highest peak in South Africa) which we summited first thing the next morning. #sunset #hiking #camping #tents #river #hike #drakensberg #mafadi #nature #southafricanskies #southafrica #dokzn #sky #grandtraverse #trekking #perfectweather #samsung #photography #travel #travellingzol #conradphoto

A post shared by Conrad de Jager Photography (@conradphoto) on May 15, 2019 at 12:00am PDT

 

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Glorious mornings. These days we fall out of bed at 6am only to feel the tarmac under our feet – at least the skies are much clearer than they have been in decades. Can’t wait for that first mountain hike though! 📸 @a.mac.photo #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #lionshead #tablemountain #goldenhour #capetown

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on May 12, 2020 at 9:29pm PDT

 

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“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” – Frederick Douglass There’s few things that teaches you resilience like a multi-day mountain hike. And the Amatola trail is as tough as they get – relentless uphills, rocky terrain, exposed mountain tops, slippery river crossings and steep descents. The weather can throw anything at you: heatwaves, glorious sunny days, thunderstorms or big cold fronts dumping hail, sleet and snow on the hills. In all that you learn to just keep going. Because beauty and magic awaits. Resilience is what we need in these times. 📸 @nardusbosman #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #amatola #amatolatrail #hogsback #resilience

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on May 8, 2020 at 10:22pm PDT

 

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The other-worldly Wolfberg Cracks: one of the Cederberg’s must-see features and a fantastic day-hike to boot. For more info on hiking at Wolfberg, follow the link in our bio. 📸 @trailfitsa #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #wolfbergcracks #wolfberg #sanddrift #cederberg

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on May 2, 2020 at 10:18pm PDT

 

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Look at those colors! “Had to convince this dude for weeks to come on and join this hiking trip. Now look at him riding on cliffs and spitting in the face of fear and self-doubt!” Kudos for taking a buddy on a hike! For more info on the Otter trail follow the link in our bio. 📸 @hi_king_mule | @mudinda_kent #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #ottertrail #gardenroute #stormsriver #tsitsikamma

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 29, 2020 at 10:39pm PDT

 

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“Can we please just go back to the mountains and waterfalls? Sitting in front of a computer is much less fun.” 📸 and caption @kat_the_lizard_queen #hikemzansi #hikingsouthafrica #chasingwaterfalls #rockpool #capefoldmountains #hexrivermountains

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 28, 2020 at 11:55pm PDT

 

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Grey, rainy days on the Amatola trail. Not the best hiking weather, but the waterfalls become an absolute spectacle. For more info on the Amatola trail, follow the link in our bio. 📸 @jn_adventurephoto #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #amatola #amatolatrail #hogsback #easterncape

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 20, 2020 at 10:57pm PDT

 

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Simply the best: sunny days on the rugged shores of the Otter trail. For more info on the Otter trail follow the link in our bio. 📸 @arnopouwels #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #ottertrail #naturesvalley #gardenroute #stormsriver

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 13, 2020 at 9:35pm PDT

 

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Beyond the fog there’s a bright day waiting. Keep faith, hope and love alive South Africa. 📸 @mrcalv #hikingsouthafrica #hikemzantsi #kasteelspoort #campsbay #thisiscapetown #tablemountain

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 12, 2020 at 1:06am PDT

 

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“This weekend is a sacred time for many South Africans. For many, it will be difficult to spend this time without their friends and family. I ask that you keep in your thoughts tonight all in our land who are vulnerable, destitute and alone. I ask that you give what you can to alleviate their burden. To contribute to the Solidarity Fund in any way you can. This is a difficult time for us all. Yet the message of Easter is one we carry in our hearts tonight. It is the message of hope, of recovery and of rebirth. As we walk this road together, as we struggle to defeat this pandemic, we remain strong and united and resolved. Much is being asked of you, far more than should ever be asked. But we know that this is a matter of survival, and we dare not fail. We shall recover. We shall overcome. May God bless South Africa and protect her people. I thank you.” – President Ramaphosa 📸 @janikalheit #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #drakensberg #amphitheatre #lockdownsouthafrica #weshallovercome

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Apr 9, 2020 at 10:02pm PDT

 

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“I never regret being a morning person. Ever.” Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days – Prayer of Moses 📸 @small_creature #hikemzantsi #hikingsouthafrica #dargleconservancy #kznmidlands #inhlosane

A post shared by Hiking South Africa (@hiking.southafrica) on Feb 22, 2020 at 9:23pm PST

 

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Explore the mystical Drakensberg with us ⛰️ . Email for enquiries. .

A post shared by Guided hikes in South Africa (@hikeza) on Feb 4, 2020 at 11:15am PST

 

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Adventure is out there! . 📸 @iana.aaaaaa taking in the magnificent views on the Kaapschehoop Trail 😍👏 . . . #hikeza #hikemzansi #hiking #hikinglife #hiker #hikertrash #hikingculture #viewsfordays #mountains #mountainmadness #womenwhohike #hikinggirl #girlswhohike #hikersofinstagram #socialdistancing #hikingtrail #trailblazers #ecofriendly #nature #beauty #adventureisoutthere #happyhiker #explorepage #visualsoflife #ontheedge #faceyourfears #picoftheday #shotoftheday #instagram_sa #southafrica

A post shared by Guided hikes in South Africa (@hikeza) on Apr 10, 2020 at 3:24am PDT

 

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“Us hikers have been practicing social distancing since day 1 🐾” . Photo and Caption: @missjinamin . . . #hikeza #hikemzansi #hiking #hikinglife #hiker #hikertrash #hikingculture #viewsfordays #mountains #mountainmadness #womenwhohike #hikinggirl #girlswhohike #hikersofinstagram #trekking #hikingtrail #trailblazers #ecofriendly #nature #beauty #adventureisoutthere #happyhiker #explorepage #visualsoflife #ontheedge #faceyourfears #picoftheday #socialdistancing #instagram_sa #southafrica

A post shared by Guided hikes in South Africa (@hikeza) on Apr 10, 2020 at 7:57am PDT

Image credit: Instragram/HikingSA