Several of South Africa’s great trails are best walked in the cooler months of the year. Here are six of the finest winter trails.
Olifants River Backpack Trail
Open between April and October, this four-day, three-night trail in the Kruger National Park is just 42 kilometres, but it’s a serious undertaking because you carry all your camping and personal gear. Distances are moderate, the terrain is flat but rocky and there are significant diurnal temperature ranges. As it runs through Big Five country, two armed rangers accompany each group.
Web www.sanparks.org
Karoo Erdvark Trail
This cloverleaf network of trails is on a working sheep farm in the Nuweveld Mountains of the “˜high’ Karoo, 80 kilometres northwest of Beaufort West. There are incredible views of flat-topped koppies and wideopen plains and the trail options are designed to give hikers of all abilities a chance to appreciate the tranquillity of this spectacular wilderness. There’s a fireplace in the well-equipped farmhouse, so pack some red wine and enjoy the starry skies.
Wellington Wine Walk
This guided and fully catered trail leads through the indigenous fynbos, vineyards, orchards, buchu fields and olive groves of the Wellington valley in the Cape Winelands, with tastings and traditional Cape cuisine along the way. The area is extremely hot during the summer months, so wine walks operate only from March to November.
Klipspringer Hiking Trail
The Augrabies National Park bakes in the summer, but winter is a good time to admire the dramatic gorges, granite boulders, succulents and lizards of this arid region on the threeday Klipspringer trail. Be warned: the path is rugged and at times sandy, so although it’s only 40 kilometres, the hike is fairly strenuous, with overnight stays in rustic huts.
Web www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies/tourism/activities.php
Wild Coast Hiking Trail
Wild Coast winters are usually temperate, so any of the trails along this coast are good options. The stretch between Port St Johns and Coffee Bay is one of the most scenic. You can walk unguided and carry a tent, but to appreciate the local way of life in this remote part of former Transkei, join a guided hike and stay with communities en route. You may see whales and dolphins (July to September) and perhaps the annual sardine run.
Oystercatcher trail
The Mossel Bay area enjoys incredibly mild winters, so if you want a Cape escape, this trail from St Blaize Point to the Gouritz River mouth will warm you on various levels. A portion of your trail fee goes to protecting its avian namesake, the endangered African black oystercatcher; and when you get “˜home’ for the night, you’ll find the fire and candles lit and a good sherry or red wine waiting.
Web www.oystercatchertrail.co.za
Cool gear to keep you toastie
Beat the chill with a lightweight Columbia Reach The Peak Down Jacket. The 700 fill-power down, combined with an Omni-Heat thermal refl ective liner, captures and retains your body heat while insulating against outside cold.
Web www.columbiasportswear.co.za
If you’re expecting rain, a synthetic jacket, such as the Adidas Terrex Loft Jacket, is a better bet. Made of RIMALOFT, it’s lightweight and breathable, and will keep you warm even when wet.
