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Mpumalanga

All Hikes in 'Mpumalanga'

Escarpment Forests, Waterfalls and Canyon Views

Mpumalanga is a province of dramatic transitions. The Highveld drops toward the Lowveld through escarpment forest, waterfalls, misty ravines and the vast Blyde River Canyon landscape. Around Sabie, Graskop and the Panorama Route, short walks can lead to lookouts and falls; elsewhere, forest trails, private reserves and multi-day routes offer a deeper experience. A good Mpumalanga hiking plan distinguishes a roadside viewpoint from a real trail and chooses the right one for the group.

Walk Beyond the Panorama Route

The Panorama Route is an excellent way to understand the province’s scenery, linking the Blyde River Canyon with places such as Graskop, waterfalls and dramatic escarpment viewpoints. But hiking access is specific to each site. Some walks sit within a reserve or a managed attraction, some are on private land and others need local route knowledge. Use the relevant SA Hikes page, not a loose map pin, to establish distance, access, terrain and current visitor rules.

Forest, Water and Weather

Forest paths can be slippery, streams rise after rain and mist can make navigation difficult. Take a warm layer and rain protection as well as water and sun protection; wear footwear with grip; and avoid cliff edges, swollen rivers and unofficial shortcuts. The same waterfall that makes a route beautiful can also make it dangerous after heavy rain. A flexible plan is essential in escarpment weather.

Wildlife and Heritage Need Space

Mpumalanga’s outdoor landscapes include protected wildlife areas, historic routes and communities. Keep to designated paths, use guided walks where wildlife rules require them and do not turn a safari area into an independent hike. Respect staff advice, do not feed animals and leave plants, rocks and cultural material in place. The province is at its best when visitors experience both the big views and the small forest detail without adding pressure to either.

Plan with Current Local Sources

For a regional orientation, see Mpumalanga Tourism’s Panorama Route guide, then use the detailed SA Hikes pages to choose a walk rather than just a viewpoint.


Mount Sheba Hiking Trails
Mount Sheba offers a network of marked walks through rainforest, escarpment slopes and sandstone country near Pilgrim’s Rest. The trails range from family-friendly historical walks to steeper forest…
Mathikithi Wilderness Trail
The Mathikithi Wilderness Trail is a small-group guided hike in the south-central Kruger National Park. It uses a rustic wilderness camp near the N'wanetsi stream, but the heart of the experience is…
Rooikrans Hiking Trail
Rooikrans is a network of three circular hikes on a game and cattle farm in the escarpment region west of Loskop Dam. The routes climb through kloofs to views across bushveld plains, passing indigeno…
Wolhuter Wilderness Trail
The Wolhuter Wilderness Trail is one of Kruger National Park's historic guided wilderness experiences. Despite the source page's Satara heading, its actual arrival and departure process is at Berg-en…
Zip X Trails
Zip X Trails lie in the mountains overlooking Loskop Dam, where the escarpment drops from roughly 1,450 m to 950 m above sea level. The route network offers two distinctly rugged hikes: Hels River, a…
Kranskloof Hiking Trail
Kranskloof is a base-camp hiking destination in the Komati Gorge Nature Reserve near Carolina. The two trails combine Highveld ridges, kloofs, streams, waterfalls and river pools, with a strong chanc…
Fanie Botha Hiking Trail, Sabie
The Fanie Botha Hiking Trail, a multi-day hiking experience in the Sabie area of Mpumalanga, South Africa, offers various routes ranging from 2 to 5 nights, traversing through pine plantations and in…
Bermanzi Back to Base Trail
The Bermanzi Back to Base Trail is the easier of the named hiking options at Bermanzi, between Machadodorp and Badplaas. It is designed as a relaxed, accessible two-day hiking experience, with hikers…
Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail
Suikerboschfontein is a varied hiking network near Carolina in Mpumalanga, set in the Paulina van Niekerk Nature Reserve. The core overnight route links Rooikrans and Oom Japie camps on a circular 20…
Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail
Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail crosses the high, mist-prone escarpment around the historic De Kaap goldfields. It links indigenous forest, fynbos, rock outcrops, streams, waterfalls and old mining landsca…
Elangeni Hiking Trail
Elangeni is a two-day circular trail through the mountains and ravines around Waterval Onder. It follows the Elands River, climbs to escarpment viewpoints, crosses mountain streams and reaches waterf…
High Five Trails
High Five Trails is a linked network of multi-day routes through the Skurweberg Mountains between Badplaas and Machadodorp. Rather than one fixed itinerary, hikers choose a circular route through a s…
Queen Rose Hiking Trail
Queen Rose Hiking Trail is a small network of day hikes in the Queens River area between Badplaas and Barberton. The trails start and finish at or near Matumi Bush Camp, allowing hikers to choose a g…
Blue Wildebeest Hiking Trail
The Blue Wildebeest Hiking Trail is a two-day base-camp hike near Badplaas in Mpumalanga. Hikers return to the same overnight base after each day on the trail, allowing them to explore the surroundin…
Bundu Backpackers Hiking Trail
The Bundu Backpackers Hiking Trail is a short, self-supported overnight adventure in the Bermanzi landscape between Machadodorp and Badplaas. Hikers carry their own small tents and camp beside the Ba…
Oom Paul Hiking Trail
The Oom Paul Hiking Trail crosses the valley between the Bermanzi side of the Bank Spruit and the Mount Komati escarpment. It is a short but demanding point-to-point hike: steep descents and climbs…
Bushman Wilderness Trail
The Bushman Wilderness Trail is a guided Kruger walking trail based in the park's south-western granite country. Its deep valleys, rocky outcrops and animal paths make it a very different experience…
Uitsoek Hiking Trail
Uitsoek is a forest and escarpment trail network near Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga. It combines plantation tracks, indigenous scrub and riverine forest, waterfalls, gorge sections and the Houtbosloop…