Hi there! It’s been a busy month, to say the least. I’ll share more about what I’ve been up to recently in another post coming soon, BUT for now, I want to talk a little about solo hiking. No, I haven’t packed up my apartment and sold my belongings to hike the North Pole to find myself (although that does sound flipping fun). I’m talking about taking a little time every now and then to be in nature on your own and just be!

I really enjoy hiking solo and try to do it as often as I can, but there are a few things to remember that I’ve covered in my video of the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. It was my first time hiking Klipriviersberg, which is shocking since I grew up about ten minutes away from there! Let me know what you think of the vlog!

Getting There

One of the best parts of hiking the  is that it’s only 20 minutes from the centre of Joburg. You can even pop in for an after-work run it’s so close! I love that this incredible sanctuary of open fields and wild animals is so so close to the city!

There are a few entrances to the reserve but the most common parking spot is located in Mondeor along Frandaph Drive, which can easily be found in Maps.

…and if you thought it being super close was a bonus there’s also no entrance fee. Nada, niks, nothing. Just remember to sign in with the guard at the gate before you start your hike.

Getting Going

The Klipriviersburg Nature Reserve has more routes than Miley Cyrus has personalities. You can choose from quick and easy routes or a couple more strenuous ones that involve some steep climbs and it’s open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week. The two longest hikes you can do are the 5.8km trails and the 9km trail, for easy reference you can check out the trail map below. I did the Bloubos Trail and a little bit of the Western Scenic Trail if you’re looking for a light hike Bloubos is definitely for you.

What To Bring And Tips For Hiking Solo 

I love hiking solo because it’s one of the few times I actually get to disconnect completely and spend time connecting with myself and nature. Here are a couple things to remember if you decided to head off on your own.

  1. Tell someone where you’re going! We’ve all see 127 Hours.
  2. Follow the trail and look out for markers, getting lost alone is zero fun.
  3. Take time think and connect with nature.
  4. Only take what you can carry!

As always I swear by my  Hi-Tec Badwaters, they’re everything and more you need in a hiking shoe and here’s a list of what you should always pack.

  • 2l water
  • Proper hiking shoes/trainers
  • Lunch
  • Sunscreen

Thanks to Hi-Tec for supporting She Said and coming along for the adventure.

by Anna-Belle