Living on the edge with extreme sports hiking trails and cliff climbs on the south coast of Africa

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Today I want to show you just how close to the edge my hiking trail brings me on this southernmost shoreline of Africa. Life on the edge is a dynamic place to find yourself, and it means that there is danger at every step. If you are not afraid of heights and don’t mind taking calculated risks daily, then you might actually enjoy this kind of extreme sports activity.

Looking at a giant cavern or arch carved by the sea down at the foot of the cliffs.

Here in this region of the southern African coastline called the Garden Route, you really have the chance to be immersed in nature with no other people around as far as the eye can see. This isolated hiking trail is thus quite an adventurous place to explore. However, it also then becomes more dangerous if something goes wrong or you have an accident.

My hike along this trail has required me to regularly scale steep cliffs on very sketchy paths, or no paths at all. If I were to slip or fall, there would probably be no one around to assist. Also there is no mobile phone reception once you are down the cliff side and at the sea shore below.

There is no way down at this particular part of the cliff side, which leaves the cavern way below out of reach...for now.

Of course, I wouldn’t worry too much since there will be a search party to come to the rescue once you’re missed back at the base or residence, so you’re not left alone to fend for yourself. I just want to highlight that my hikes over the past three or four years have involved putting my life at risk numerous times a week when using this remote and seldom traversed part of the southern African shoreline.

The good news is that never once have I been in any danger throughout the hundreds of days I’ve spent on the edge, so to speak. So living on the southernmost edge of the African continent has been adventurous and sometimes extreme or even risky, but it has always been manageable.

Another sheer drop to the sea below with no obvious path down to those inviting pools. I found a way down further along, to the pools in the distance though, and could then double back.

As long as you’re fit and agile, you’ll be fine on these trails along the cliff tops. And if you’re keen on adventure sports then you will also enjoy the scrambles and climbs down to the remote rocky beaches as well as the climbs back up again. I’m already in my fifties and have no problem clambering up and down the steep but simple and relatively short cliff slopes.

A view from the cliff top with fascinating red indigenous succulents in the foreground, facing west.

These hikes are merely day trips or outings, so you are never too far away from civilization. There are also longer hiking trails that stretch over multiple days further along this same shoreline, for those who want to take their outdoor extreme sports to the next level. But if you want to keep your adventuring down to a manageable pace and time frame, then the day hikes are equally inspiring.

A sheer drop straight into the blue Indian ocean makes this an impossible place to descend and requires you to keep your wits about you and have a head for heights.

For the longer hiking trails you will need to obtain a permit from the parks and forestry conservation department of the local region which is easy enough and only costs a small amount. Then you can do a five day trail with your loaded backpack, camping out overnight or using the trail huts along the route. These multi day hiking options are truly awesome and a good test for the more fit and agile adventurer.

Some more of the curiously exotic indigenous succulents of this Fynbos floral kingdom on the cliff top, facing east.

Nevertheless, from today’s photos you can see that even the short hikes of a few hours are just as impressive and inviting as any other. You will be tested by the steep and rocky terrain and need to be somewhat fit to begin with. So if you have an abundance of energy that you wish to channel, or you are curious and adventurous by nature, then be sure to pay a visit to this region of the southernmost shoreline of Africa, called the Garden Route.

Another view of the inaccessible cavern with no way down from this angle whatsoever. 

The cliff top hiking trails and steep risky pathways down to the shoreline below are a great way to test your reflexes and bring out the best in you as you test your abilities and endurance on the climbs and rough terrain, without risking too much if you prefer to play it safe. The paths are being maintained and upgraded all the time, so you’ll have no worries mate. Only lots of fun and adventure with an awesome boost to your endurance and fitness levels as you climb down to the sea and back up again. Life on the edge has seldom been so much fun.

(photos my own)

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