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Fabulously scenic hikes
Hiking in Mpumalanga
The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga.
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
The Blyde River Canyon is regarded as the world's 'greenest' canyon because of its lush vegetation.
If you plan to go hiking in Mpumalanga, figure out your level of fitness, the time available, then choose between hundreds of trails – attractive to awesome, leisurely to strenuous, half a day or a week and more.
Some of South Africa’s best hiking is in the Blyde River Canyon. It’s South Africa’s second most-visited natural attraction and you'll soon see why. Red cliffs rear up from the canyon base, strange rock formations of all kind are silhouetted against nearly always sunny blue skies, waterfalls cascade into deep pools in thick forest, birds sing and small animals skitter in the undergrowth. There’s an abundance of biodiversity.
The Blyde River Canyon Trail is 60km and will take you five days, but it can be split up into shorter trails, from one day to three days, so there ‘s something for all ages and all fitness levels. You’ll hike through the canyon, past numerous waterfalls, through wetlands. If you’re a birder, you’ll be in feathery heaven.
There are also great hikes in the Graskop and Sabie areas. If you hike the two-day Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail you’ll start at God's Window and finish at Bourke's Luck Potholes with two overnight stops.
The 72km Fanie Botha hiking trail is situated in the Sabie area. You’ll start this at Ceylon State Forest and hike to God's Window. But be warned, it’s listed as 'difficult' and can take anything from two to five days
Five Assegais Country Estate, between Machadodorp (eNTokozweni) and Badplaas (eManzana), has a spectacular 50km network of one and two-day hiking trails, and if it’s history you’re after then relive the heyday of the 1870s gold rush and follow a Prospector’s Hiking Trail in Pilgrim’s Rest.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
How to get here
Fly direct from any of South Africa’s major cities to Nelspruit (Mbombela) and follow the signs to Graskop and then on to the Blyde River Canyon.
Around the area
Adventure activities in Mpumalanga include a bridge swing at Sabie, big swing and zip slide at Graskop, an aerial forest cable way at Hazyview, white water rafting down the Sabie River, and abseiling at Graskop. There are dozens of private game reserves in the area, and the Kruger National Park is nearby.