Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

24 June 2025

5-minute read

While many people view hiking separately to travel, hikers and nature enthusiasts often include hikes in their travel itineraries when touring different countries around the world.

Growing up, Muhammed Essop loved the outdoors and wondered what it would be like to walk along the mountains. Getting into hiking as a university student with his siblings inspired him to become a registered tour guide with SA tourism and an adventure guide specialising in hiking, and he soon founded his own hiking group. Last year, he was fortunate to be part of a Summer Camp in the USA where he took the kids in the camp to the Pacific North Trail. “Every hike is a beautiful hike,” says Muhammed, and each one creates “core memories and moments.”

The Hiking with a Purpose group was founded by Aysha Latib’s school friend Mashooda Patel and Aysha was asked to be the coordinator. While the purpose of the group is fitness, the mission behind it is to raise funds for charity. Most of their excursions are day hikes in Gauteng and the Northwest and Aysha say that we are blessed “with some of the most beautiful trails right on our doorstep.” Aysha was fortunate to undertake a hiking trail in Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey, where natural cliff rock faces surround hikers on the strenuous climb to the amazing views at the top.

For beginner hikers, Muhammed suggests starting off at reserves in their neighbourhoods, while Aysha advises flat terrain. Before starting big hikes learn about the essentials of hiking like what a trail is, what a trail marker looks like, direction and navigation, the correct way to carry a backpack, and choosing the right foods to eat before going on a hike.

Essential items every hiker should take on an extensive hike include a first aid kit, water, and a hiking stick. The general categories are easy, intermediate or advanced, and the different terrains include shady or open, waterfalls, dams or rivers, mountains and streams. In winter, trails open to the sun are preferred while in summer, walks are undertaken in areas where there is an abundance of trees. Some venues have both short and intermediate trails. Sister Aysha has seniors in her group who she takes on flat, easy trails without too many loose rocks or stones. Aysha checks the trail beforehand and prepares the senior hikers in advance, especially those who have undergone operations or broken bones.

Day hikes suitable for families in Johannesburg that do not require hiking equipment include The Wilds in Johannesburg, pathways in Modderfontein, River Sands Farm Bridge near Stein City, Riverton Farm Village, Taroko near Qurtuba, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, and the Rietvlei Zoo Farm. In Pretoria, there are relatively easy walking trails in Wolwespruit, Prime View, Big Red Barn, Rosemary View, and Die Bosveld. In the Northwest, there’s the Van Gaalen River Trail and the Hennops Hiking Trail. Most venues have a combination of short and long trails as well as easy, intermediate and more advanced trails.

For more scenic walks and hikes with waterfalls, rivulets and views from the top of mountains, Northcliff Eco Park, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Little Falls, Kloofendal and Melville in Johannesburg are places Aysha suggests. In Muldersdrift, there’s Kings Kloof, Cradle Moon and Avianto. In Pretoria, Faerie Glen is popular while in the Hartbeespoort region, the Harties River Trail is “magnificent” with the views at the top leaving one in awe.

Aside from Gauteng and the Northwest, some of Muhammed’s most memorable hiking experiences in South Africa include the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, the Otter Trail near Knysna, and the Whale Trail in the Cape where one can watch the spectacular whale migration. Two of the must-visit hiking trails in South Africa are Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen, and for adrenaline junkies, hikes within the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. Muhammed is planning the Namaqualand Flowers Tour in August where the flowers bloom in the desert and turn the veld into a “magical wonderland.”

Whether you choose to undertake a multi-day hike or just a one-day trail, hiking has multiple benefits. Muhammed mentioned that hiking brings about change in a person and allows you to “become one with nature.” It has even made him more conscious about recycling, got him into gardening and stopped him from littering. Other benefits of hiking include provision of oxygen to your muscles from being out in the fresh air, socialising and meeting new people, and learning to walk correctly to give you the correct posture. For Aysha, apart from the physical benefits, the spiritual, emotional and mental benefits of hiking cannot be overstated. The human connection with like-minded people, getting to shut off from technology, forget all your problems and make memories, brings about a “relaxed and tranquil state of mind.”

As a doctor stated, “every hike provides the opportunity to experience the skies above you, the ground beneath you and the peace within you.”

Listen to the full interview with Muhammed Essop.

Listen to the full interview with Aysha Latib.