Our trip through Namibia wasn’t a dedicated hiking holiday, but we still managed to do a few nice day trips here and there. The Olive Trail takes the crown in that regard, as it’s a varied hike with both beautiful views and adventurous sections through a canyon. The trail is located in the heart of the Naukluft Mountains, a piece of rugged, gorgeous nature that is still too often skipped on classic tours through the country. If you want to go hiking in Namibia, you really shouldn’t miss this Olive Trail!
How to start the Olive Trail?
Anyone wanting to hike the Olive Trail must first check in at the NWR Naukluft Camp. There you can buy a permit and get a simple map and a brief explanation of the route. You can also camp at the site, stay overnight in a chalet, or just drop by for a drink afterwards.
To reach the start of the hike, drive back about four kilometers to a small parking lot. From there, you’ll need four to five hours for the ten-kilometer route. The path is well-marked with white signs, but these are especially easy to follow if you walk the loop clockwise. The difficulty level is moderate: the climb at the beginning and the scrambling in the canyon require some effort, but it never gets truly technical.
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Olive Trail
A tough start with brilliant views
The start of the Olive Trail is immediately challenging, as all 350 meters of elevation gain are packed into the first three kilometers. Fortunately, you’re rewarded for your effort the entire time. From the higher rocks, you have a stunning view over the Naukluft Mountains, a landscape of rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and dry riverbeds. For us, it was the perfect spot for a lunch break.
Although we swear we heard the calls of baboons, we unfortunately didn’t see any animals along the way. However, baboons definitely live here, as do mountain zebras, kudus, klipspringers, or rock hyraxes. So keep your eyes peeled and who knows, you might spot one!
A canyon that gets more and more impressive
After the climb, the hike begins to descend gradually. You follow a path that leads you deeper and deeper into a gorge. The further you go, the higher the rock walls rise on your left and right. Here you can enjoy both the cool shade and the impressive canyon. You’ll also spot the occasional iconic quiver tree, a type of aloe found only in Namibia and South Africa.
Gradually, the trail starts to require a bit more effort. The path is less flat and you’ll regularly have to scramble over large stones or navigate your way through boulders. It makes the trip adventurous without ever becoming dangerous or truly difficult. We experienced the most memorable moment of the hike at kilometer seven. There, a large pool of water blocks the path. Thanks to chains, you can climb along the rock wall on either the left or right side to bypass the water. It’s a bit exciting, but perfectly doable.
For the last two kilometers, you follow a wider, easy-to-walk path back to the car. Great job!
