Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail
~4 days · 47.4 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail is known for
A committing descent-and-riverbed traverse of Africa's greatest canyon, from the Hobas rim ladders down the Fish River's gorge to the hot springs at Ai-Ais.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 702 ft to 2,595 ft over 47.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 0.8 mi · 2%
- Downhill 3.2 mi · 7%
- Flat 43.5 mi · 92%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail scores 12/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 47.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail?
The Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail climbs roughly 1,591 ft total — about 34 ft per mile, topping out near 2,595 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.