12 Short Treks in South Africa (All Difficulties)

So, South Africa will be your next travel destination, and you’d like to do some short treks there? Then you will find exactly what you’re looking for in this guide!

Its mountains, forests, beaches, and deserts make South Africa one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It’s also a hiking lover’s paradise, with amazing trails throughout the country.

While there are plenty of long treks, there’s an abundance of short ones too. These are perfect if you’re short on time or don’t feel like hiking for a couple of consecutive days.

From the Drakensberg Mountains to Cape Town and Cederberg, here are the best short treks in South Africa. (The distances mentioned in this guide are for a round trip.)

1. Rainbow Gorge, Drakensberg Mountains (7 miles)

The Drakensberg Mountains are home to some of the best hiking trails in the world, including Rainbow Gorge, one of the most popular and most scenic in the region.

This easy trek either starts at Didima Camp or Cathedral Peak Hotel (which makes it a little longer), and it will take you to the beautiful Rainbow Waterfall. (Depending on the sun’s position, sometimes a rainbow can be seen at the waterfall, hence its name.) On the way, you will be treated to mesmerizing views of the Drakensberg Range and Cathedral Peak.

All in all, if you’re looking for a short, 4–5-hour trek without too much ascent, Rainbow Gorge is a great choice!

2. Tugela Gorge, Drakensberg Mountains (8.7 miles)

Offering spectacular views of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre and Tugela Falls (the second-highest in the world), the Tugela Gorge hike is an impressive one.

The trail starts at Thendele Camp. It will take you through dense forests before joining the river and reaching Tugela Gorge. It takes 4–5 hours to trek to the viewpoint of the falls and back. This is relatively easy, but you will ascend about 1475 feet.

If you would like to add some difficulty and make the experience a bit longer, you can do so by hiking further up Tugela Gorge. The path will take you to an even better view of the falls. It’s quite strenuous, though, as it will require you to climb up a chain ladder and steep gully.

3. Sentinel Peak (Chain Ladders), Drakensberg Mountains (9.3 miles)

Also known as the Chain Ladders Hike, the Sentinel Peak Hike will take you to the top of Tugela Falls.  Although it’s not very difficult, it does require you to ascend 1492 feet and climb up ladders, thus the alternate name. So, if you’re afraid of heights, this might not be the best choice.

If you’re up for an adventure, however, this is one of South Africa’s most unique treks. After the climb, you will be rewarded with some amazing mountainscapes. The view of the Amphitheatre and Tugela Gorge will surely mesmerize you!

4. Platteklip Gorge, Cape Town (3 miles)

Cape Town is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Africa. This city is surrounded by amazing hiking trails, of which Platteklip Gorge is one.

Although this popular trek might be short, it’s not the easiest, as you will ascend 2,132 feet over a length of just 1.5 miles.

The Platteklip Gorge Hike will take you to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most famous landmark. As this is the shortest way up, it’s quite steep, but the scenery along the way is beautiful. Most people take the cable car up, but hiking will be a more rewarding experience.

It all depends on your pace, but it should take around three hours to climb up the mountain, enjoy the landscapes, and head back down. I spent about an hour on top, as the view was truly breathtaking.

5. Lion’s Head, Cape Town (3.2 miles)

Located in Table Mountain National Park, Lion’s Head is a peak that offers a 360° view of Table Mountain, Signal Hill, the Twelve Apostles, Camp’s Bay, and Cape Town.

The hike to Lion’s Head is only 1.6 miles one way. Keep in mind that there’s an elevation gain of 2,195 feet, though. It depends on your pace and fitness level, but it takes an average of 2–3 hours to reach the top.

There are two routes: the Spiral Route, which is moderately easy, and the more adventurous Chains Route. While you will have to climb up some ladders during the Spiral Route, the Chains Route is steeper and will require you to climb up rocks using chains. So if you’re afraid of heights, the Spiral Route is the one for you.

6. Skeleton Gorge, Cape Town (8.8 miles)

If you’re looking for a strenuous trail up Table Mountain, the Skeleton Gorge Hike is a great choice.

This trail can be found on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It will take you to this mountain’s highest point, Maclear’s Beacon (3,563 ft above sea level). From here, you will have a spectacular view of Table Mountain and its surroundings.

During the trek, you will be surrounded by indigenous forests while you climb up rocky boulders and wooden ladders. You will ascend about 3,000 ft over a distance of 4.4 mi. This takes the average person 3 to 5 hours.

Make sure to have a high level of fitness if this is the hike you’re going for as it’s pretty challenging.

7. Cape of Good Hope Trail, Cape Town (3 miles)

If you would like to do a short hike that includes some of Cape of Good Hope’s best sights, this one is for you. It will take you to the Old Lighthouse, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, and Diaz Beach.

What makes this trek so nice are the amazing landscapes along the way. You will walk on boardwalks along cliffs before reaching Diaz Beach, one of Cape Town’s most beautiful.

This is an easy hike, but keep in mind that you will have to climb up some stairs to reach the Old Lighthouse.

8. Leopard’s Kloof, Harold Porter (1.9 miles)

The Leopard’s Kloof Trail may be one of the shortest treks in South Africa, but it’s a very beautiful one!

This walk can be found in the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. It will take you through forests, and you will pass some waterfalls along the way.

You will have to climb some ladders, and there’s a bit of an incline. Apart from that, this is a very easy hike. It’s good to know that once you get higher up the trail, you will be rewarded with a view of the sea.

9. Lesodi Trail, Magoebaskloof Mountains (2.4 miles)

Also called the Swartbos Trail, the Lesodi Trail is a moderately challenging, 2.4-mile loop in the Magoebaskloof Mountains in Limpopo Province.

This hike is perfect for nature lovers. It will take you through beautiful indigenous forests full of strangler fig trees. You will also have a chance to spot Samango monkeys and various bird species.

On average, the Lesodi Trail takes about two hours to finish. It all depends on your fitness level and pace, though.

10. Wolfberg Arch and Wolfberg Cracks, Cederberg (15 miles, 1 or 2 days)

The Cederberg Wilderness Area is known for its unique landscapes full of dramatic rock formations. Although it’s just 110 miles from Cape Town, the scenery is completely different here.

There are plenty of hikes in the Cederberg, but the most beautiful area can be found around the Wolfberg Arch and Wolfberg Cracks, two of the region’s most impressive formations.

For this eponymous trek, you will have to head to the Driekhoek Tourist Farm, where there’s a trail that leads to Gabriel’s Pass, the Wolfberg Arch, and the Wolfberg Cracks.

The route can be done in one or two days, depending on how much time you have. This area is one of the top stargazing spots in South Africa, so if you have the time, spending the night here will be an unforgettable experience (if the sky is clear).

Note that there’s an incline of 2441 feet one way, and that it’s 15 mi from the Driekhoek Tourist Farm to the Wolfberg Cracks and back. It can be a little challenging if you decide to do this in one day.

11. Dolphin Trail, Tsitsikamma (10.5 miles, 2 days)

The Dolphin Trail is one of the most popular short treks in South Africa, and it’s easy to understand why.

It follows the coastline of the Indian Ocean from Tsitsikamma National Park Rest Camp to the mouth of the Storms River. This is a moderately difficult, two-day hike that passes natural fynbos and indigenous forests. If you’re visiting South Africa between July and November, you will have a chance to spot dolphins and whales on the sea.

A nice way to cool down during this trek is by swimming and bathing in some of the rock pools that you will pass.

All in all, the Dolphin Trail is one of South Africa’s best short hikes for beach and nature lovers.

12. Rhebok Trail, Golden Gate Highlands (19 miles, 2 days)

Last but not least, a list featuring the best short treks in South Africa wouldn’t be complete without including the Rhebok Trail, one of the country’s most famous hikes.

This is a 19-mile, circular route that starts and ends at Glen Reenen Rest Camp in Golden Gate Highlands National Park close to the Lesotho border, famous for its amazing scenery and wildlife.

It takes two days to complete this moderately difficult hike, but the views of the mountains along the way are breathtaking as you pass rock pools and ravines. If you’re lucky, you might also spot zebras, wildebeest, vultures, and springbok.

Map of the Best Short Treks in South Africa

With hikes in the mountains, by the coast, and in forests, South Africa offers a lot of variation, with something to offer to any type of trekker. The country is full of natural beauty, and hiking is the perfect way to see some of the most gorgeous spots that you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.

I hope that this guide full of short treks will inspire you and that you have found the ideal one for your trip to South Africa.

Happy hiking!

READ: 7 Essential Tips for First-Time Hikers