From the Pipe Track to Lion's Head and Skeleton Gorge, we are truly spoiled for choice in Cape Town when it comes to hiking adventures, with hikers of all levels being afforded the chance to get out there and have some fun.
While for many the hike itself is the reward, the prize that awaits when you hit the top is surreal, as the views of the Cape region rival anything else the world has to offer.
Well, almost, it seems.
In a bid to find the best hiking city in the world, SportsShoes.com performed a study, with their research delving into various factors.
Time Out Travel reports that 'the number of nearby hikes in each city, alongside the number of reviews and the average rating the hikes were given' were key in determining a winner.
Upon completion of the study, it was found that Brazil's Rio de Janeiro is the best city globally for hiking, while our beloved Mother City came in third, tied with San Francisco in the United States.
Best hiking cities in the world
The full list from the research is as follows:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Mexico City, Mexico
- San Francisco, USA
= Cape Town, South Africa - Los Angeles, USA
- Portland, USA
- Las Vegas, USA
- Sydney, Australia
- Edinburgh, UK
- Kyoto, Japan
= Nashville, USA
= Seattle, USA
= Philadelphia, USA
Cape Town's best hikes
For those looking to enjoy a hike this Youth Day long weekend, our resident outdoor lover and travel expert Richard Holmes has compiled his list of the best Table Mountain National Park hikes.
However, please bear in mind that following the recent devastating fires that tore through the mountains, some trails are still off limits.
For those looking for a hiking trail adventure outside of Cape Town, the Whale Trail - a three-hour drive - has been named as one of the world's best trails.
TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:
😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town
🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town
🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town
🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town
🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town
📍 The best things to do in Cape Town
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