Murludi Hiking Trail

By Vicky · Published Jun. 13th, 2021 · Updated Nov. 24th, 2022

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The Murludi hiking trail is an easy route into the low hills near Tulbagh with splendid views and dried fruit on Murludi Farm.

Views from hiking trail on Murludi Farm, Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

Location

This hike starts at Murludi Dried Fruit Farm, 20 minutes from Tulbagh and 1hr40 from Cape Town via either the N1 or N7. There is safe parking at the farm. If you don’t have a car, check out the options for car hire* from Cape Town.

Murludi Hiking Trail Map

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Download .gpx

Download .kml

Get a permit and a little map (and maybe some fried fruit) from the office just by the car park. The trail is well-signed so it’s hard to get lost.

Tips for the Murludi Hiking Trail

Take: sunhat, sunscreen, water and swimming stuff.
On a warm summer’s day it can get very hot, so set off early.
You need a permit for this hike, R35 for adults, R15 for students and free for small children. These can be bought at Murludi Fruit Farm the car park from 8 am to 5 pm.
A shorter 5 km river walk is also available at this farm.
See the Murludi Fruit Farm website for some more details.
For a more difficult hike, try the hike up Roodezandsberg Peak.
Find out more about the lovely town of Tulbagh

The hike starts directly from the car park, initially heading through a small woodland by a river and marked by a green sign saying ‘start’.

Start of Murludi Hiking Trail, Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

The trail soon passes by the farm where we saw lots of fruit drying in the brilliant summer sunshine.

Drying Fruit on Murludi Farm, Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

The hike continues through apricot orchards and brings you some spectacular views of steep, rocky mountains.

Fruit on Murludi Farm, Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

Trail on Murludi Fruit Farm, Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

Continuing upwards, you leave the farm area and head out onto the wild hillside where you overlook the valley below.

Panorama of fields and mountains in Tulbagh Valley, Western Cape, South Africa — You can hike up the round, rocky mountain in the middle – see our Roodezandsberg Peak post.

At some points, you have great views of the surrounding mountains towering above gently sloping fields below.

Mountain Views on Murludi Hiking trail, Western Cape, South Africa

Mountain Views on Murludi Hike, Western Cape, South Africa

On the way back down you pass by a dam. You are allowed to swim here and it’s a very refreshing cool off! It’s also in a lovely location though there’s no nearby shade.

Dam on Murludi Hiking trail, Western Cape, South Africa — You can swim in the dam

Soon you return towards the farm and reach your car where you started. If you’re hungry, why not buy some more dried fruit!

Find out more about Tulbagh here, or a much longer hike up Roodezandsberg Peak.

We did the Murludi Fruit Farm Hike near the end of our two-month road trip around South Africa which we wrote up as a book, Chasing Ostriches*. Discover many other amazing places in South Africa and see more photos here.