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Two hikes in the Western Cape have been recognised on an international level. The travel adventure company Explore! curated a list of the 35 best hikes in the world, and the Robberg Peninsula hiking trail in Plettenberg Bay was ranked 27th, while the Cecilia Waterfall via Cecilia Forest in Cape Town was ranked 29th.

Both trails offer stunning views and accessible terrain and promise to deliver a memorable and rewarding adventure for any hiker, regardless of experience level.

Also read: Kloof Corner: The perfect hike for sunrise and sunset chasers

In regard to compiling the ’35 of the Best Hikes in the World’ list, the company commented, ‘We at Explore! believe that any place worth going to is a place worth hiking through. So we’ve assembled a list of 35 of the best hikes in the world that almost anyone can do, from short jaunts you can do in less than an hour to longer, multi-day itineraries.’

In order to generate the list and its respective rankings, Explore! evaluated hiking trails according to their:

  1. Length (Distance)
  2. Elevation
  3. Duration
  4. Weather
  5. Instagrammability

Each hike received weighted points in each of the five categories listed above.

The more accessible and achievable the walk was for all ability levels in terms of length, elevation and duration, the more points it received. In terms of weather, the area’s average weather was compared to the ideal average temperature for walking and the hikes with the most hashtags received the most points for Instagrammability.

‘Suitable for most fit and healthy travellers, all of these walks offer a satisfying and enriching challenge,’ said Explore!

It added, ‘Whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for, at Explore, we believe in the kind of trip that leaves you with a profound sense of place — not just a souvenir or two.’

In terms of methodology, the hiking trails included in the ranking were compiled using top trail recommendations from AllTrails, Komoot and other authoritative travel blogs.

AllTrails and Komoot were also used to obtain additional trail information, such as elevation change, length and duration, and Weatherspark provided the weather data.

In the absence of specific locations, the nearest town, city or other landmark was used. Instagram points were assigned to locations and calculated by using Instagram’s top descriptive hashtags for each location (e.g., #zionnationalpark).

Posting to social media, Table Mountain National Park has expressed its excitement that Cecilia Waterfall via Cecilia Forest has been named one of the world’s top 35 hikes. It said:

Cecilia Forest is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Come and explore this beautiful hike through the indigenous forest.
Picture: SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook
Picture: SANParks – Table Mountain National Park / Facebook

The Robberg hiking trail in Plett is one of the area’s most popular and well-known trails, as well as one of its most scenic. The trail is a circular route that orbits the Robberg peninsula, with two shorter variations ranging from easy to moderate.

Explore!’s ’35 of the Best Hikes in the World’ list: 

  1. Perito Moreno Glacier Trail, El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina

  2. Aoraki/Mount Cook Loop, Canterbury, New Zealand

  3. Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA

  4. Continental Divide Trail From NM 547, Grants, New Mexico, USA

  5. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite Valley, California, USA

  6. Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon Park, Queensland, Australia

  7. Colca Canyon:Cabanaconde – Llahuar, Cabanaconde, Arequipa, Peru

  8. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, Australia

  9. B’nei Hamoshavim Ascent Loop from ןיע ידג, Ein Gedi, Israel

  10. Jaffa Port – St Peter’s Church Loop from יזבש, Tel Aviv, Israel

  11. World’s End – Baker’s Falls Loop from Ohiya, Horton Plains National Park & World’s End, Sri Lanka

  12. South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

  13. Okatse Canyon Loop from ზედა გორდი, Banchueti, Georgia

  14. Western Wall, Jerusalem ינמראה עבור from Loop, Jerusalem, Israel

  15. Catbells Circular, Lake District, Cumbria, UK

  16. Piatra Craiului Ridge Walk, Magura, Brasov County, Transylvania, Romania

  17. Mirador Loop, Cotapaxi, Mejia, Cotopaxi, Ecuador

  18. Path of the Gods, Bomerano, Campania, Italy

  19. Balcony Trail, Madeira, Portugal

  20. Offa’s Dyke Trail, Chepstow, Monmouthshire to Prestatyn, Denbighshire, UK

  21. Kaieteur Falls, Chenapau, Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana

  22. Birtvisi Canyon Viewpoint and Ruins Hike, Tbisi, Kvemo Kartli, Georgia

  23. El Tepozteco, Tepoztlan, Mexico

  24. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

  25. Shulamit-Quelle Loop ידג ןיע from, Wadi David, Israel

  26. Berber Villages, Atlas Mountains, Asni, Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco

  27. Robberg Peninsula, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

  28. Montfort Castle Loop from הפצמ הליה, Upper Galilee, Israel

  29. Cecilia Waterfall via Cecilia Forest, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa

  30. Inca Trail (Mollepata), Aguas Calientes, Peru

  31. Huayna Potosi, La Paz, Bolivia

  32. Mt Rosea Loop, The Grampians, Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia

  33. Dschelada Pavian Loop from Gich, Simien National Park, Ethiopia

  34. Annapurna Circuit, Besi Sahar, Nepal

  35. Kilimanjaro, Lemosho Route, Arusha, Tanzania

Also read: 

The Lion’s Head hike: A guide to Cape Town’s iconic trek

Picture: Unsplash

 

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