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{"id":4017,"date":"2019-03-11T07:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T05:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/?p=4017"},"modified":"2020-02-27T16:05:39","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T14:05:39","slug":"a-hike-for-every-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/a-hike-for-every-season\/","title":{"rendered":"A Hike for Every Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

At some point, all of us have had some free time, thought of going on a multi-day hike and then changed our minds because it was too hot, cold, wet, dry, or some other weather\/season related excuse. Fortunately, South Africa has such varied landscapes and climatic regions that there are trails for every season.<\/p>\n

Spring? Summer? Autumn? Winter? Here\u2019s a list to keep you hiking year-round:<\/p>\n

Spring<\/h2>\n
Spring is probably the most all-round hiking season for the whole country, but if there is one area that really shines in spring, it has to be the Karoo and West Coast regions with their extravagant display of spring flowers.<\/p>\n
$\"steenbok-flower-trail-flowery-field\"$
The splendour of spring on the Steenbok Flower Trail in the West Coast National Park. Photo by Alison Westwood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Trails like the Leopard Trail<\/a> in Baviaanskloof and the Steenbok Flower Trail<\/a> on the West Coast are something to behold in spring and after the winter rains, water is abundantly available, making multi-day hikes a lot more do-able.<\/p>\n
$\"leopard-trail-107\"$
Pretty Erica’s seem almost out of place in the harsh landscape of the Baviaanskloof.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"leopard-trail-82\"$ <\/p>\n
Summer<\/h2>\n
With most of the country unbearably hot, we look to the Eastern Cape for our summer escapes on ultra-classics like the Otter Trail<\/a> and Amatola Trail<\/a>. Both of these multi-day hikes have an abundance of forested sections and swim spots making it an absolute delight in the hot summer months.<\/p>\n
$\"otter-trail-tidal-pool\"$
One of the tidal pools along the Otter Trail. Photo by Willem Boshoff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"amatola-day5-hiker-swimming\"$
The Amatola is a waterfall and rockpool bonanza!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"amatola-day2-forest-hiker-path\"$
Humid, but shaded, in the heart of the ancient forests of the Amatola.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Autumn<\/h2>\n
Although many people enjoy hiking in the Drakensberg<\/a> in summer, the Berg really shines in early autumn, as the daily thundershowers become less regular, but you still get to experience the almost luminous green of a well-watered, sun-kissed Dragon.<\/p>\n
$\"giants-cup-trail-2018-59\"$
Views for days on the Giant’s Cup Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
With an abundance of drinking water and relatively long days, you have a host of options available. From the Giant\u2019s Cup Trail<\/a> in the south, to the Tugela Falls<\/a> in the north and the Drakensberg Grand Traverse<\/a> for everything in between!<\/p>\n
$\"drakensberg-grand-traverse-berg-vastness\"$
The vastness of the Drakensberg. Photo by Willem Boshoff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Other classics like the Fanie Botha Trail<\/a> and Magoebaskloof<\/a> should also be included as prime candidates for early autumn options.<\/p>\n
Winter<\/h2>\n
Winter, strangely enough, brings us back to the Western Cape. While most of the Cape is cold and wet, the Cederberg<\/a> turns into a hiker\u2019s paradise, with crystal clear mountain streams, cool sunny days under steely blue skies and frosty evenings under a night sky that is truly magnificent.<\/p>\n
$\"cederberg-night-sky-stuart-apsey-2\"$
Surreal fortress-like rock features and the magnificent Cederberg night sky brilliantly captured by Stuart Apsey (Instagram: @stuartapsey<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Cederberg does receive rain and snow in winter, so proper clothing and equipment is required, but this should not deter experienced hikers, as a multi-day hike in the Cederberg will enchant you with its wonderful rock formations and have you spouting poetry in no time.<\/p>\n
$\"cederberg-four-peaks-krakadouw-boulders\"$
The super-sized landscape of Groot Krakadouw.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
$\"cederberg-wolfberg-arch-storm-pano\"$
Wolfberg Arch in the early morning light after a storm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Although there are ideal seasons for certain trails, all of South Africa\u2019s hiking trails have been enjoyed year-round in all kinds of weather conditions. With that in mind, I\u2019ll finish off with a quote by the legendary cold weather explorer, Ranulph Fiennes, \u201cThere is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
This list is obviously by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your trail recommendations per season in the comments below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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