FEEL like stretching your legs a bit? Getting out into that fresh natural air while admiring mother nature? We have some spots for you to try.
Perhaps you are the type to go through the various stages of hiking grief: Starting off strong, excited for the trip, breakfast bars in your backpack, icy water bottle in hand, and trainers snugly laced. You start the hike off with the confidence of an athlete. As you reach the incline, you slowly regret your decision to hike in the first place, each step worse than the next. Then comes the moment, the end! The view is so breathtaking you regret every doubt you ever had.
Or, maybe, you just love being outdoors but wish it could come with fewer bugs because it’s a chance to be social without needing to socialize.
Regardless of which type of hiker you are, you are likely to find just the spot for you on our list of top 5 hiking spots in Nelson Mandela Bay :
- Ladies Slipper Trail (3.4km)
Starting at Falcon Rock, the trail ascends steeply through the fynbos. About a third of the way up, you come to an open rock platform from where there are great views and a perfect spot to take that #fitlife selfie. Not suitable for children or pets (sorry Rover), the trail is relatively steep with loose rocks, so you need to be of moderate fitness level if you want to attempt it.
- De Stades Trail (5.6km)
Another steeply inclined start, this trail is challenging with a great view of the sand dunes as you come out at the top of the peak. With three natural trails to offer, it provides easy access to the dense forest and lots of opportunities for bird watching.
- The Willow (29 km)
A popular mountain biking route, it provides a loop of 29km that can be enjoyed in solitude when the trail is about 10 min away from Algoa Bay. If you want to get some moderate challenging mountain biking or hiking in, this is a great hike for you.
- Grey Dawn Loop (5km)
If a moderate hike is not your thing, why not try this trail? A relatively easy route, great for running, hiking or mountain biking, the route in total will take you about 1 hour and 22min to complete. With no inclines, this is a flat trail through an open grassland area. A fun route, however, it is best to download the map beforehand as the trail is not well marked.
- Babaans Walk (1km)
The simplest route at only 1 km total, this is a great starter for those wanting to start hiking. Taking an average of 15 min to complete, you will find some good spaces of solitude while you are on this trail.
There you have it, so which hike will you be trying out?
Leave a Reply