HIKING
CITY SLICKER
TO TRAIL BOSS
BY BYRON LUKAS
You don’ t need hiking shoes that cost more than your monthly car payment, a compass around your neck, or Bear Grylls-level survival skills to enjoy a good trail. Sometimes all you need is a free day, decent shoes, and the willingness to swap traffic for trails.
I
’
m definitely no expert hiker, but I’ ve learned one thing: hiking does not have to be dramatic.
For many city slickers, the biggest adventure of the week is finding the parking lot. So the idea of heading into the mountains can sound slightly intense. Walking uphill? Carrying your own water? Suddenly brunch looks very appealing.
But hiking in South Africa doesn’ t have to mean conquering the Drakensberg or disappearing into the wilderness for three days. There are plenty of accessible trails where beginners can ease into the outdoors without requiring a military-grade backpack or a personal helicopter.
Start small. Choose a trail that matches your fitness level, check the distance and elevation before you go, and remember that“ easy” means different things to different people. A 5km walk on a flat coastal path is a very different beast from 5km involving a mountain.
Cape Town is an obvious playground, with trails around Table Mountain, Silvermine, and the Cape Peninsula offering everything from gentle walks to more challenging climbs. Elsewhere, the Garden Route, Drakensberg, Magaliesberg, and Waterberg provide plenty of opportunities to trade smogenveloped skyscrapers for spectacular scenery.
The golden rule? Don’ t overpack. Water, sunscreen, snacks, a small first-aid kit, a charged phone, and weather-appropriate clothing will usually get you much further than a suitcasesized backpack. And please tell someone where you’ re going. Hiking with a friend or group is also a good idea, particularly when you’ re new to the trails.
Most importantly, slow down. You’ re not racing anyone. Stop for the view. Take the photo. Eat the sandwich. Listen to the birds. Let the city noise disappear.
By the time you get back to your car, covered in dust and wondering why your legs have resigned from the group chat, you might just understand the appeal.
You haven’ t become Bear Grylls.
You’ ve simply become a little more adventurous. IB
BEGINNER’ S TRAIL KIT
Good shoes: Comfortable trainers can work for easy trails; proper hiking shoes are useful on rougher terrain. Water: Take more than you think you’ ll need, particularly on warm days. Sun protection: A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are non-negotiables. Snacks: Fruit, nuts, energy bars, or that emergency packet of chips. Safety: Take a fully charged phone, basic first-aid supplies, and make sure someone knows your route. Don’ t forget: Check the weather, trail conditions, permits, and access rules before setting off.
80 INBOUND SA / NOVEMBER 2026