Hi! In March, we’ll be spending two weeks in the Drakensberg region and Golden Highlands National Park (Clarens). From what I understand, you have to pay to hike if you're in a national park. I can’t find the rates or info on whether there are multi-day passes if we hike for several days. Could you help me out, please?
Thanks
There’s a daily entrance fee for the park.
(For example, at Golden Gate: the visitor center, entrance fee, picking up "maps"—and off you go!)
(Regarding GG... the maps aren’t super precise, and that led us on an endless uphill hike...)
(On the SanParks website, under Golden Gate, Activities, Hiking Trails...
There’s a PDF... very basic.
Once you’re in the park, you can hike or not!
I’ve never paid to hike, but I’ve paid to enter—which is why a Wild Card might be worth it.
As a general rule, I make sure to check in at the office before heading out on a hike...
Some hikes are really tough (but I’m sure you already know that).
If the hike takes several days, you pay for each day.
It’s the entry into the parks that’s paid for.
Even if you’re not hiking.
There may also be an additional fee for certain hikes.
All the rates are on the official website of the parks managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: see here.
If you’re visiting other South African parks, it might be worth buying a Wild Card (
International All Parks Cluster). It’s valid for 1 year for all the listed parks (only covers standard entry fees). See here
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Good evening,
Yes, all the parks are paid in South Africa, and outside the parks, it's hard to go hiking... Just private properties everywhere!
It's tough to hike for several days. It must be possible, but it's complicated since you have to book accommodations in advance. Once the reservation is made, you're basically forced to stay there for the night or pay without staying if you're hiking for multiple days! (I didn’t see any other solution.)
I did a few day hikes in the Drakensberg, but they weren’t really challenging—nothing like the ones in Réunion! On top of that, the only lodge I saw was marked well on the map but was actually in ruins!
Seriously?
Either you really messed up... or you just didn’t get it.
For the rest... in South Africa (SA) like in France, there are private properties and barbed wire because cattle... well, it’s tough without barbed wire... read Lucky Luke!
You can hike in plenty of places in SA...
in a park, you pay the entrance fee and off you go.
Honestly, sorry, but you’re really getting on my nerves... and I’m telling you because I’ve been going to SA for over 20 years...
Sorry.
Anyway, it’s not the end of the world, right?
Michel
Yes, seriously.
I'd really like to know how to go on multi-day hikes when you have to book your accommodation at the "camp" and thus pay for it for nothing if you decide to bivouac in the park since there are no huts or shelters outside the "camp".
Outside paid parks, tell me where you can hike? I've done one or two signposted "walks" in Blyde Canyon, but I don’t call that hiking!
I’ve hiked for several days in over 15 countries and have never encountered this situation.
If you know South Africa so well, give us the solution.
In France, I can (for example) start from Lake Geneva and go to Nice by crossing the Alps via the GR5 or the entire Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic via the GR10... Can you do something similar in South Africa?
Well yeah
You can do plenty of GR equivalents
The Otter Trail
The Maluti Mountains
The trail that leads to De Hoop
Etc etc
South Africans are crazy about the bush, trail running, hiking
And their options are huge
Just like their country
Okay
Let’s stop
We’ll just agree to disagree
My opinions seem more solid to me
End of discussion
(Fierce competition between your ignorance and your bad faith. In such cases, a tip: keep a low profile to avoid looking ridiculous.)
Nevertheless, for those just passing by, long-distance hiking is obviously possible in South Africa.
For example, by following the coastline from Oranjemund to Cape Town. (Three weeks for Djalma, an unforgettable athlete who’s lost without his marked GR trail.)
Or along the Wild Coast and throughout the Xhosa country.
And many others in the semi-desert of the Karoo.
The Drakensberg, of course, which isn’t just made up of parks (note for the guys with barbed-wire brains).
The list goes on and could delight an open mind.
Hard to hike for several days... It must be possible but complicated since you have to book accommodations in advance...
There’s no obligation to book accommodation in South Africa, whether in parks or elsewhere. Could you print this out?
I knew you’d show up.
Did you do a lot of multi-day hikes in South Africa to back up what you’re saying? Name your routes.
It’s funny—before I left, I asked a few questions about long-distance hiking options, and I didn’t get a single reply from you, but now you’re suddenly an expert on the subject.
I trust you on wildlife parks and 4x4 safaris, but when it comes to hiking, I think you should sit this one out.
P.S.: The original topic was about the Drakensberg.
Last night you beat me to the finish line by a minute. You walk fast! 😉
I expected you to mention the Cederberg massif, which you know well.
We could also add Lesotho, where it’s possible to hike for days and days without any constraints. By the way, even though he writes differently about it today, I’d already pointed out this option to Djalma before he left, with a link to the amazing route description from some great folks.
Michel the quick…
The guy who answers faster than his shadow!
Sure enough, in the Cederberg, you can hike and hike and hike some more…
With trails that can be tough or even dangerous depending on the weather…
That said,
I hike a little…
I stop at the first barbed wire fence I see,
Grumbling about having to head back already to prepare the braai…
Thanks for your reply.
If I understand correctly, even if I'm just driving through without stopping—for example, Golden Gate Highlands NP—I’d still have to pay the entrance fee, right?
Multi-day hiking isn’t as developed as in Europe, but there are some amazing options in South Africa. And you’ll usually run into very few people on the trails. Just watch out—sometimes you need to book in advance.
In Golden Gate Highlands NP, I did the Rhebok Trail back in 2016 (31 km), with one night in a small unmanned hut along the way (a small fee to pay). You could easily do the hike in a long day, but walking in the late afternoon and then early morning increases your chances of spotting wildlife. Really great—I’d recommend it! There are other shorter or longer hikes in the park, some following part of the RT route.
For multi-day treks, Michel mentioned the famous Otter Trail, and there’s also the Tsitsikamma, Swartberg, Klipspringer, Hoerikwaggo, and Prospectors Trails. You’ll find info with a bit of research.
One option that few foreigners know about—and it’s A-MA-ZING—is multi-day hikes in the big parks with rangers (max 8 people + 2 rangers). Several comfort levels available. I’ve done it twice (Kruger and Hluhluwe) over four days in bivouac mode... unforgettable!
I’ve also done some fantastic day or half-day hikes in lots of places (Drakensberg, Cederberg, Lesotho, Table Mountain, Blyde River). 🙂
Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Morocco in August and we’ll start with a stop in Chefchaouen (we’re driving).
My question: can anyone suggest a 5-to-7-day loop hiking route from Chefchaouen in Talassemtane Park, ideally passing by the God’s Bridge? Or a paper guidebook that covers a few options?
We prefer wild camping and guesthouses.
Thanks in advance
Hi there, for those who’ve been recently—is it possible to find other solo travelers in March on the island to share transport or room costs? It doesn’t seem easy to travel on a budget.
If you have any recommendations for simple lodgings or places with dorms, I’d love to hear them.
For those who’ve done multi-day treks while moving around: do you need to bring your own sleeping bag? I’d love to hear about itineraries you’ve done without a guide, just with a map and GPS.
Thanks, and have a great day!
Hi everyone!
We’re planning a 15-day road trip to Scotland this summer, specifically to explore and hike on Lewis and Harris—places we’ve never been before. We’ve visited other islands on previous road trips in Scotland (we usually go in April for a week). This would be our first time in Scotland in the summer and for 15 days. We’re looking at late August to early September.
I’m currently drafting the itinerary. We’d be crossing from Ullapool and were thinking of spending 3 nights on Harris and 4 nights on Lewis.
Does that sound balanced to you? Is it better to keep the same accommodation on Harris and the same on Lewis to explore the area? I’d love to hear about any past experiences you’ve had on these islands.
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m trying to leave for 15 days very soon to São Vicente. I’m either looking to join an agency or figure things out on my own to go hiking on one of these islands or both. From what I’ve seen, it’s not easy to organize with local transport, so it gets expensive. Can I use the services of a small local agency? I’m looking for the simplest way to hike for several days. Also, how do you get from São Vicente to São Nicolau? Thanks in advance and have a great day!
Aichatou
I’ve been wanting to do this for several years, and this year’s the one. Next September, I’ll be trekking in Tusheti (Georgia), from Omalo to Shatili.
Of course, I won’t be renting a vehicle that’d just sit unused. No problem getting to Pshaveli, but from there to Omalo, it’s a dirt road (still the case?)
There must be some form of public transport since there are so many guesthouses, and not all travelers come in a 4x4.
If any of you have been to Omalo, could you confirm that these shared transports exist and how often they run?
we’re planning a trip to Yellowstone and hoping to do a three-day backcountry hike if we get a permit.
if any of you have done this before, could you let me know if it’s possible to find water along the way? And if we can transport it, are we allowed to use a stove?
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