New Research Reveals the Best Countries to Run, Swim, and Cycle
- New research by SportsShoes.com reveals the world’s best destinations to run, swim and cycle, based on Tripadvisor reviews
- Within South Africa, the Golden Mile in Durban was revealed as the best place to run and cycle, whilst Camp’s Bay Beach, Cape Town was rated as the best place to swim
- Globally, the United States ranked as the best country for running, swimming and cycling respectively
A new study by SportsShoes.com has revealed that the Golden Mile in Durban is the best place to run and cycle in South Africa, whilst Cape Town’s Camp’s Bay Beach topped the rankings for swimming spots.
Whether you’re scouting out the best outdoor exercise spots near you or you are keen to get out in the great outdoors on holiday, SportsShoes.com has revealed the best locations in South Africa and globally to head into the wilderness and allow stunning natural scenery to elevate your workouts.
The study analyzed Tripadvisor reviews for over 760 cycle routes, running paths and popular swimming locations across different countries to find out which attractions have left visitors so content they took to Tripadvisor to leave glowing reviews. The results were then ranked in order to name the best places to run, swim and cycle in each country, and which countries take the crown for each activity.
The Best Places to Run, Swim, and Cycle in South Africa
The Best Places to Run in South Africa
- Golden Mile, Durban
- Durban Botanic Gardens, Durban
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden, Pretoria
- Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Johannesburg
- Hermanus Cliff Path, Hermanus
Whether you prefer an urban jog or a rural long-distance route, South Africa boasts ample spaces to satisfy every type of runner. With an 8km route on offer, the Golden Mile along Durban’s waterfront promenade takes the top spot as South Africa’s best destination for a run, offering runners open views over the Indian Ocean, as well as an uninterrupted route from North Pier to Blue Lagoon Park, with many options to extend the route and take runs to the next level.
Durban Botanic Gardens take the second spot in the rankings. A must-visit spot for tourists and locals alike, this iconic location is a firm favorite providing a relatively short route of 1.8km with 53m elevation gain. Based in the city center of Durban, it’s Africa’s oldest surviving botanical garden and its beautiful rare plants and serene surroundings are just some of the things that make this an essential running route.
Rounding off the top three is Pretoria National Botanical Garden. Pretoria’s Botanical Garden plays host to one of the city’s Parkruns, a free 5km route that attracts runners of all abilities and helps to make the Botanical Gardens a popular spot for running.
The Best Places to Swim in South Africa
- Camp’s Bay Beach, Cape Town
- Umhlanga Main Beach, Durban (To know more about Umhlanga as a beach holiday destination, be sure to visit ShowMe Umhlanga)
- Silvermine Nature Reserve, Cape Town (To know more about Capetown as a beach holiday destination, be sure to visit ShowMe Cape Town)
- Grotto Beach, Hermanus (To know more about Hermanus as a beach holiday destination, be sure to visit ShowMe Hermanus)
- Buffalo Bay, Knysna
There is a wealth of wild swimming spots nestled all over South Africa. Cape Town’s Camp’s Bay Beach ranks as South Africa’s most popular wild swimming spot. With soft, white sand, the blue space is popular with wild swimmers due to its challenging icy temperatures year-round. One of the more popular beaches in Cape Town, Camp’s Bay Beach is regularly full of visitors, with many people taking to the seas to have a break from the sun under the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
A second Cape Town spot to also make the top swimming spots in South Africa, Silvermine Nature Reserve scored third place. Open to humans and dogs alike, Silvermine Reservoir is a firm favorite for open-water swimmers, with a 1km boardwalk trail running around the site with plenty of places to sit in between swims. Those less experienced should take care, as there are no lifeguards on duty at the picturesque swimming spot.
The Best Places to Cycle in South Africa
- Golden Mile, Durban
- Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, Pinetown
- Holla Trails, Ballito
- Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Town
- Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Johannesburg
From mountain paths and national parks to woodlands and leafy gardens, South Africa has some great options for exploring by bike. Durban’s Golden Mile features again, taking the top spot for South Africa’s favorite cycle path.
In second place is Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park in Pinetown. A well-known cycling route, the 45km trail offers a variety of routes that are perfect for varying skill levels, with something for everyone. As well as mountain biking, BMX lovers are also welcome at the site, and if cycling is not your thing, there is an array of hiking and trail running routes in the area.
Holla Trails, Ballito rounds off the top three as the third most popular place to cycle in South Africa. The site is home to almost 300km of clearly marked and signed cycle routes and is a popular choice for cycling enthusiasts and amateurs alike with different degrees of skill level routes to choose from.
Dan Cartner, Head of Marketing at SportsShoes.com commented: “Your surroundings can have a huge impact on your performance when running, swimming or cycling. Getting into the great outdoors can be beneficial for both mental and physical health, whether it’s jogging in urban parks full of lush greenery or swimming at golden sand beaches with clear water, we wanted to find the best-reviewed hotspots for avid cyclists, runners and swimmers.”
A full breakdown of all the best places to run, swim and cycle, as well as the best countries for each can be found at: https://www.sportsshoes.com/running-hub/motivation/best-places-run-swim-cycle/
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