The Joy and Benefits of Hiking: Viewpoints of a Cape Town Hiker and Mountain Adventure Guide
- Charles Vice
- 33 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Being an avid golfer, hockey player, and road runner, hiking never appealed to me. However, after moving to Cape Town in 2021, I no longer played golf for various reasons.
One Sunday, four months after settling into Cape Town, a fellow congregant at church approached me and asked if I was keen to go hiking with his group, the Monday Mountaineers, which takes place on Mondays.
My First Hike
I am generally fit, as I like walking and running, but this was different. The descent from the mountain was hard work on my quads, and my knees were killing me! Not to mention the pouring rain, for which I was ill-equipped, wearing only my old golf rain suit. Also, my worn running shoes were not coping with the slippery rocks.
I did wonder, "Is this what people do for fun?"
The Bug Bites
The following Monday, I was back hiking with the group, but this time I was sporting a brand new pair of hiking boots. We were hiking at Cape Point, where you would expect it to be fairly flat. Not so!
The open plains rise gradually and then steeply plunge into False Bay. My knees took strain once again, and I did think to myself that maybe hiking is not for me.
Perseverance Pays Off
I always strive to be the best version of myself, so over time and with more hikes, my legs got stronger, and my runner’s knees started to cope with climbing, and particularly when we were descending mountains.
Instead of trailing at the back of the group, I now found myself at the front, and there were complaints about the pace! I completed the requisite nine hikes required to be accepted by the group and obtained my membership.
I have now completed more than one hundred and fifty hikes with the Monday Mountaineers. We have covered most peaks from Table Mountain all the way to Cape Point.
We also make an annual excursion to the Cederberg, hiking for a few days. I have also done hikes with the Cape Point Volunteers and informal hikes with friends and family.
4 Benefits of Hiking Aka Mountain Walking
1. Suitable for Most People
The beauty of hiking is that there is a route for all tastes and fitness levels. One can choose a short walk on the flat or a long day out on the mountain with scrambling, an intermediary step between hiking and climbing.
Options such as a tea break to admire the view and catch one’s breath, and a lunch break in the shade, including a catnap, can be incorporated into a day’s activities. The emphasis is on enjoyment and stress reduction as one soaks in the beauty and miracle of nature and the outdoors.
Hiking is available to everyone. No particular skill is required, and it is an inexpensive outdoor activity. Some of the gear available these days could tempt a person to splash out and max the credit card. But this is more to satisfy functional needs than an image, as in some sports.
A good pair of boots or shoes is more than sufficient to tackle any hiking trail. An old shirt and shorts are all one needs; no fancy brand names.
Holidays can be planned and enjoyed at destinations that have hiking trails. One can hike during the day and come back for a hot meal, shower and warm bed in the evening. Mountain walking can be enjoyed by family members who might have drifted apart during their hectic city life. A time for bonding and rekindling togetherness and affection.
2. Improved Fitness
The main physical benefit of hiking is obviously improved fitness. Every mountain hike starts with a climb. This gets the heart rate up and the lungs working to supply oxygen. The legs also get stronger with time, and one’s balance improves.
Mountain walking is a low-impact activity, and if done properly, it is safe for your joints and ligaments. During exercise such as hiking, endorphins are released, which reduces stress and improves your sense of well-being.
3. Camaraderie
Hiking with a group creates a personal interaction with like-minded people, an important factor, especially as one gets older. Retirement or living in a big city can lead to the risk of becoming isolated. Mountain walking offers a great opportunity to discuss the sports results from the weekend with other avid fans while hiking.
Also, news events and the political landscape offer plenty of conversation items. The banter and ribbing one receives from peers is a tonic and creates a lightness to life.
A bond is formed between the individuals in a hiking group. Camaraderie flourishes as challenges are tackled together. Occasionally, someone might fall, and the concern and compassion are palpable. It must be said that this may later turn into an opportunity for some light-hearted teasing, as it becomes apparent that no serious injury has occurred.
Hiking in a group creates a sense of belonging while making you feel significant as you contribute to a common cause. Walking with others in nature is one of the easiest ways to get your basic human needs fulfilled!
4. Time Out in Nature
Being in nature and the awesome scenery are obvious benefits. The higher you climb, the better the view. Babbling streams and birdsong are like soothing pieces of music to the soul. It is also fun to identify the flowers, trees, and the fauna, especially the smaller ones like frogs and tortoises.
Identifying the birds we encounter on our hikes is another favourite activity. Rock Kestrels, Jackal Buzzards, Sun Birds, and Sugar Birds are common sightings.
I was hiking with a group at Cape Point not so long ago. We came across a large troop of baboons foraging in the grassy area adjacent to the beach. Now, baboons generally have a bad rap in Cape Town, and one lady remarked that she wished her children could see these baboons.
This troop was minding its own business and was not at all aggressive or threatening. It was touching to see them content and in their natural environment. They really are beautiful creatures!
The hikers were a group of city folk, and their excitement and awe at being in such a beautiful place were addictive. It was a privilege and very rewarding to be their guide!
Conclusion
I was an accountant in my previous life, and it was great! But I now prefer not to be sedentary and enjoy physical activity. I often think (during a hike) about the stress I endured when deadlines were looming, and for one reason or another, a system would fail. Or there would be no power due to load-shedding. Not to mention the commute to and from work. I guess it was rewarding in its own way, and my priorities were different then.
I have grown to love hiking, and it has become a big part of my life. Contact me and let's discuss a guided mountain walk in and around Cape Town that you will never forget.
More About the Author
I have just completed a course with the SA Outdoor Academy to become a Mountain Guide. I am now qualified (pending accreditation) to take groups on hikes, and look forward to sharing the benefits of this wonderful activity in the beautiful outdoors. Contact me at charlesvice1958@gmail.com for more information.
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