Olive Trail (Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.64 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,079 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,043 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,129 ft
- TrailRank
- 42
- Min elevation
- 5,043 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 3 hours 55 minutes
- Coordinates
- 871
- Uploaded
- October 31, 2008
- Recorded
- June 2008
near Zais, Hardap (Namibia)
Viewed 17862 times, downloaded 374 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This is a very nice trail at the Namib-Naukluft Park on the Namib desert (Namibia). At the beginning of the trail (where some olive trees are found) you start climbing a slope to the top of the mountain. Then you go down to a river bed following a beautiful gorge (there you will see some quiver trees). A slight difficulty is found at the end of the gorge where you have to use a chain to cross a very narrow pass. We found some baboons and Kudus on our way.
Comments (5)
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This is a nice trail, quite tough.
Do not underestimate the quantity of water you carry, especially in summer.
The trail starts from the car park where you start climbing on the west side of the mountain, to reach about 1900m.
You will then climb down the river bed where you will fin a pool with chain on both side. The left side seems easier as the chain ends further. On the left side there is still a bit of climbing to reach the end of the pool.
The last section is easier and join the 4x4 trail track up to the car park. https://ca.wikiloc.com/rutes-senderisme/olive-trail-namib-naukluft-park-namibia-230408/photo-46298
Be carefull here!
The middle section is a little difficult and it is difficult to get a good foothold on the steep wall. My wife only survived thanks to a harness and a rope attached to the chains.
https://ca.wikiloc.com/rutes-senderisme/olive-trail-namib-naukluft-park-namibia-230408/photo-46303
This is a great hike, with lots of different terrain and nice views. The first section climbs up from the car park, offering the best views across the park. The next section follows the to of a ridge before gradually descending to the narrow gorge. Te gorge is the most fun as it narrows, including a section with chains. The last section is easy again as it heads back to the car park. Allow at least 3 hours - it is slow-going through the gorge.
https://hikingtheworld.blog/2017/10/03/olive-trail-in-naukluft-mountains-namibia/
in oct 2016 we had to turn back at the gorge with the chains, because it was unimpossible for my wife to pass ... too dangerous, too dificult ! remember this when you try this tour!
November 1, 2018
This is definitely a great hike but not one to be taken lightly. Our guide book totally underplayed the difficulty of the section with chains. It said " Don't be alarmed, this is easily achieved by even the most timid." We're used to hiking in mountains and have encountered chains on many walks so weren't too concerned. The chains on this walk were totally different from anything else we've encountered. Like the previous reviewer's wife, I also couldn't negotiate them - if you use the longer section on the left, which looks safer, you will have to walk the wall with your feet for a short stretch as there are no real foot holds, relying on the strength of your arms to hold on to the chain. You are also up a couple of metres. We were too late to turn back and I also would have struggled to climb back up the boulder field. I managed to negotiate the first section then somehow dropped myself down so my husband could catch me. I don't want to put anyone off this hike unnecessarily - If you are fit and adventurous, (and probably younger than us!) you'll find it fun but do try to find some images of the trail online if you are thinking of doing it.