By Milou Staub
Whether you’re seeking well-known adventures or off-the-beaten-path discoveries, these trails provide perfect opportunities to cool off and enjoy the country’s breathtaking landscapes.
Ten iconic hiking trails
- Crystal Pools,
Location: Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: a moderately challenging trail that winds through beautiful scenery, leading to serene rock pools perfect for a refreshing swim.
- Cecilia Waterfall, Cape Town
Location: Table Mountain National Park
Highlights: this easy hike offers stunning views of Cape Town and culminates at a peaceful waterfall, ideal for a dip in the cool water.
- Krom River Trail, Limietberg Nature Reserve
Location: Limietberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: a noncircular route that crosses rivers and leads to a waterfall and pool, perfect for cooling off in the surrounding indigenous forest.
- Bobbejaans River Trail, Limietberg Nature Reserve
Location: Limietberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: a scenic trail that takes you above the river to a majestic waterfall, with opportunities to swim in crystal-clear rock pools along the way.
- Dome Pools, Magaliesberg
Location: Magaliesberg mountain range, Gauteng
Highlights: known for some of the biggest and deepest rock pools in the area, the intermediate hike to the Dome Pools offers a great place to relax and swim.
- Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch
Location: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: the waterfall trail within the reserve features beautiful waterfalls and rock pools, offering cool dips and stunning views.
- Myburgh’s Waterfall, Cape Town
Location: Cape Peninsula, Western Cape
Highlights: a scenic hike that leads to Myburgh’s Waterfall, where hikers can enjoy a swim in the cool waters and beautiful surroundings.
- Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Location: Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area,Western Cape
Highlights: offers various trails that lead to stunning rock pools and waterfalls, including the
Winterhoek Peak hike with breathtaking views and cool swimming spots.
- Lake Naverone, Drakensberg
Location: Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal
Highlights: the Lake Naverone area features several hiking options, including the “Three Pools” hike. This trail leads to picturesque swimming spots amidst stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, making it a great place to cool off.
- Guinea Fowl Trail, Blyde River Canyon
Location: Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga
Highlights: the Blyde River Canyon area provides various hiking trails, including the “Blyde River Canyon Loop,” which leads to beautiful rock pools. This hike offers breathtaking views and refreshing swimming opportunities.
Eight lesser-known hiking trails with pools
- Eden Pool, Die Hel (Cederberg)
Location: Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape
Highlights: the Eden Pool is one of the largest natural pools in South Africa. The hike to this stunning pool involves a steep descent, but the spectacular scenery and inviting waters make it a worthwhile adventure.
- Rondegat Rock Pools, Cederberg
Location: Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape
Highlights: these hidden rock pools are perfect for a cooling dip after a relatively easy hike. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you relax in the crystal-clear pools.
- Tonquani Gorge, Magaliesberg
Location: Magaliesberg Mountain Sanctuary Park, Gauteng
Highlights: the Tonquani Gorge trail features numerous rock pools ideal for swimming. Although the hike includes some climbing, the natural pools along the way provide excellent spots to cool off.
- Ploughman’s Kop, Drakensberg
Location: Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal
Highlights: this trail offers a series of slip-and-slide pools at the edge of the Amphitheatre. It’s a moderately challenging hike that rewards adventurers with stunning views and refreshing waters.
- Drupkelders, Knysna
Location: Forest Edge Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: the Drupkelders rock pools are massive and tea-coloured waters. The relatively easy hike to these pools provides a peaceful setting for a swim and relaxation.
- Suicide Gorge, Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Location: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Highlights: known for its thrilling adventure, the Suicide Gorge hike leads to a series of rock pools and waterfalls. Due to its challenging terrain, it’s best undertaken with a professional guide.
- Marble Baths, Injisuthi
Location: Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal
Highlights: the Marble Baths hike in Injisuthi trail leads you through indigenous forests, across open grasslands and ends at the stunning Marble Baths – a series of natural rock pools perfect for a refreshing swim.
- Wathaba hiking trails
Location: Wathaba wilderness, Mpumalanga (three hours from Johannesburg)
Highlights: the trail wends its way through the Wathaba wilderness area in the Skurweberg Mountains boasting beautiful scenery, plenty of waterfalls and a series of pools that make for wonderful swims.
