ERMELO – Ms Bobby van Strijp, founder of Bush Runners hiking club in Ermelo developed a growing passion for hiking from a young age.

Her father’s family has always been avid hikers and to this day, between the ages of 50 to 70-years-old, continue to hike.

Ms Strijp fell in love with the past time during her years spent in Cape Town and Pretoria, but more specifically the day she first climbed Platteklip Gorge.

ALSO SEE: GALLERY – Bobby van Strijp shares picturesque scenes of hiking expeditions

She said most people who have embarked on this popular zig-zag trail along Table Mountain will agree that the spectacular views and bragging rights for having climbed one of the seven wonders of the world, are well worth the strenuous two hour climb.

The top five favourite hiking trails Ms Van Strijp completed were:

• Platteklip Gorge

“This is probably the second most well-known hiking trail in Cape Town however, it is not as easy going, despite its popularity,” she said.

• Hennops Hiking Trail

The trail is located 39km from Johannesburg and is perfect for taking a break from the city life and indulging in nature without having to travel too far.

She said the two trails available are the 11.3km Krokodilberg trail, which takes hikers through a mountainous area and the 6.15km Zebra trails which take hikers through a fenced game camp.

“The trails have much to offer including a suspension bridge, an old mine, ruins and a cable way to get hikers across the Hennops River.

“At the end of the trail there is a swimming pool and braai facilities, the perfect end to a great hike,” she said.

• Blyderiverspoort Hiking Trail

This is a 30km, three day trail that takes hikers from Paradise Camp in God’s Window to Bourke’s Luck Potholes and transport hikers to a world of stunning natural wonders.

Ms Van Strijp added, beginning with the Blyde River Canyons to the gorgeous rock pools, waterfalls and rock formations, the trail offers breathtaking views of the Lowveld.

• Wathaba Hiking Trail

The trail is situated 20.8km from Machadodorp and is a hiking destination in Mpumalanga which offers hikers and nature lovers a piece of heaven with tranquil surroundings.

The wilderness are in the Skurweberg Mountains which have magnificent waterfalls, fauna and flora like wildflowers, mushrooms and lichens.

Ms Van Strijp said its indigenous kloof vegetation with over a hundred different identified and marked tree species, some of record size, is home to an array of some of Mpumalanga’s most spectacular birdlife.

• Otter Trail

According to Ms Van Strijp this is considered South Africa’s most popular hiking trail and one of the best for serious hikers.

This 42km long trail begins at the Garden Route National Park’s Storms River Rest Camp and finishes at Nature’s Valley.

It takes hikers through the Tsitsikamma Forest and along the Garden Route’s rugged coastline.

She said the hike takes five days and although its not the most difficult hike in the country, it does require a fair level of fitness.

She added along the way, hikers will be able to view the Skilderkrans outcrop which is a great place for spotting dolphins and whales, the Bloukrans Estuary and one can even spot the famous Cape Clawless Otter, which can be found around the lowland areas of the forest.

“This hike is, to date, both my favourite and most challenging hike I’ve embarked on,” Ms Van Strijp said.

Read her future hiking goals in the next edition of the Highvelder newspaper.