South Africa is a region characterized by its diverse geography, offering a wide range of natural features suitable for outdoor activities. Its landscapes include majestic mountains, expansive plains, lush forests, and extensive coastlines. This varied terrain provides a setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more, making South Africa a prominent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Outdoor activities in South Africa are extensive, with more than 4,000 routes available across…
208
Routes
4.7
(3028)
Average rating
69985
People visited

4.8
(147)
3,863
hikers
8.42km
02:54
460m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(341)
3,470
hikers
5.98km
01:45
160m
160m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(166)
2,617
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(256)
2,673
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(18)
1,780
riders
98.9km
06:25
1,250m
1,250m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
1,453
riders
47.8km
02:58
510m
510m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(16)
1,184
riders
72.9km
05:01
1,290m
1,290m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(6)
738
riders
32.2km
02:05
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(3)
1,829
runners
8.64km
00:53
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
1,370
runners
10.5km
01:07
170m
170m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(7)
788
runners
8.61km
01:10
320m
320m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
483
runners
7.18km
00:45
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(32)
1,581
riders
49.1km
02:45
1,000m
1,000m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(19)
1,478
riders
57.2km
03:02
990m
990m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.9
(22)
1,222
riders
88.4km
04:31
1,550m
1,550m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(6)
1,172
riders
38.1km
01:48
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.5
(6)
513
riders
35.4km
02:51
650m
650m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

520
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
444
riders
61.7km
06:25
1,530m
1,530m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(7)
410
riders
50.9km
04:20
1,110m
1,110m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.9
(13)
162
hikers
4.66km
01:41
290m
290m
Easy mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
81
hikers
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(10)
61
hikers
5.76km
04:21
730m
740m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.3
(3)
46
hikers
11.1km
05:22
850m
850m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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3.0
(1)
39
riders
35.9km
02:23
480m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
15
riders
50.0km
04:28
1,080m
1,080m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
riders
50.6km
03:46
1,070m
1,070m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
133km
08:29
1,860m
1,860m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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South Africa offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, and Mountaineering. The region features varied landscapes such as mountains, forests, coastlines, and plains. More than 4,500 routes are available across these sports. These routes have been explored by over 406,000 visitors, resulting in an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars.
South Africa features numerous popular hiking trails across its diverse landscapes. Notable areas include Table Mountain and Lion's Head in Cape Town, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the Garden Route, which hosts trails like the Otter Trail. Tsitsikamma National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve also offer significant hiking opportunities. For more information, consult the Hiking in South Africa guide.
Yes, South Africa provides many easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. Areas like the Cape Winelands offer gentle routes through vineyards, while some sections of national parks provide accessible paths. The komoot guide for Easy hikes in South Africa details specific routes.
Family-friendly hiking trails are available in various regions of South Africa, often featuring shorter distances and less challenging terrain. Many nature reserves and coastal areas offer suitable options for families. A dedicated komoot guide, Family-friendly hikes in South Africa, provides specific recommendations.
Road cycling in South Africa is prominent, especially along the Cape Peninsula with routes like Chapman's Peak, and through the Cape Winelands with its scenic farm roads. The Garden Route also offers picturesque highways for road cyclists. The Road Cycling Routes in South Africa guide provides detailed information on these and other routes.
South Africa offers numerous mountain biking trails, with varied terrain suitable for different skill levels. The Garden Route is a popular area for mountain biking, featuring trails through fynbos and forests. The komoot guide MTB Trails in South Africa lists many available routes.
Touring cycling routes in South Africa often traverse scenic areas like the Garden Route, the Cape Winelands, and the Wild Coast. These routes typically combine natural beauty with cultural experiences, passing through charming towns and vineyards. For more options, refer to the Cycling in South Africa guide.
Running trails in South Africa are plentiful, often found within natural parks, along coastlines, or in urban green spaces. The diverse landscapes provide varied running experiences, from flat paths to challenging uphill sections. The Running Trails in South Africa guide offers specific routes for joggers.
South Africa is home to several iconic natural features that attract outdoor enthusiasts. These include Table Mountain, the Drakensberg Mountains, the Garden Route, Blyde River Canyon, and the Cape Winelands. Other significant areas are De Hoop Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma Forest, and the Wild Coast Region, all offering unique landscapes for various activities.
Yes, permits are often required for hiking in certain protected areas and national parks in South Africa. For example, multi-day treks in the Drakensberg Mountains or trails like the Otter Trail typically necessitate advance booking and permits. It is advisable to check with the specific park or reserve authority before planning a trip.
Yes, South Africa features several regions known for their waterfalls, offering opportunities for scenic hikes. The Sabie Waterfalls Route in Mpumalanga, west of Kruger National Park, is particularly noted for its concentration of beautiful waterfalls. The komoot guide Waterfall hikes in South Africa provides routes in these areas.
The official national marketing agency for South African tourism is South African Tourism. Their official website is www.southafrica.net. For general inquiries, the email address is info@southafrica.net. The main office number in Johannesburg is 011 895 3000, and a general international line is +27 83 123 6789.

