Rim of Africa | Traverse 5
Beauty: 5/5
Difficulty (fitness): 10+/10 (Extremely tough, both physically and mentally)
Technical rating of trail: Mostly off-trail hiking involving dense fynbos, uneven rocky terrain, and steep ascents and descents.
Duration: 7 days (6 days walking)
An Overview of the Terrain
Traverse 5 follows the Western Langeberg — a classic section of the Cape Fold Mountains characterised by rugged ridges and steep, fynbos-covered slopes dropping away on either side.
Rugged ridgelines and endless fynbos views along the Western Langeberg.
The total distance of ±65 km over six hiking days might sound modest, but Traverse 5 is no easy walk. Expect technical ridge walking, occasional rock scrambling, and long climbs through thick Protea stands.
Light scrambling and steep ascents make Traverse 5 both challenging and rewarding.
The effort is well worth it — the panoramic views from these ridges are among the finest anywhere in the Cape Fold Mountains.
Breathtaking panoramas reward every climb.
A General Overview of the Section
Traverse 5 is the Rim’s ultimate ridgeline hike, running from Simonskloof in the Koo Valley to Montagu. You’ll spend much of the trek “walking in the sky,” summiting Arangieskop above Robertson and following high, vegetated ridges with views across farmland — and on clear days, all the way to the Indian Ocean.
Looking toward Arangieskop above Robertson.
High ridgelines with sweeping views down both sides of the valley.
The route concludes via Bloupunt — a well-known peak above Montagu — before descending through rock pools and clear mountain streams toward the valley floor.
Descending from Bloupunt toward Montagu.
Cooling rock pools offer the perfect reward at the end of a long day.
An Overview of a Typical Day
Days on Traverse 5 blend ridge walking and scrambling through Protea and mountain fynbos, with spectacular views at every turn. Lunch spots are often perched high above the valleys or alongside clear, gurgling streams.
Lunch with a view — always a highlight on the Rim.
Off-trail hiking through dense mountain fynbos.
Ridge-top walking with endless mountain horizons.
An Overview of Wilderness Camping
Most camps are set high on the ridges, where stars gleam at eye level through your tent door. The second night is a treat — a stay in the stone hut of the famous Protea Tractor Ride high on Arangieskop, complete with a hot shower and fireplace.
The Arangieskop stone hut — a rare bit of mountain comfort.
The next three nights are spent wild camping at remote ridge-top sites, before finishing at De Bos campsite on the edge of Montagu — where a well-earned restaurant meal awaits in this charming village.
Wilderness camping at its best — remote and beautiful.
A Note on the Difficulty of Rim of Africa
Hiking South Africa’s difficulty scale is benchmarked against the Amatola Trail (rated 10/10). Most Rim of Africa traverses exceed that — they are far more technical and demanding. Rim of Africa isn’t a marked trail but a mountain traverse, and difficulty can vary yearly depending on weather, chosen route, and vegetation conditions.
For more information on the Rim of Africa hike, visit rimofafrica.co.za.