The Naukluft Hiking Trail is situated about 120km from Maltahoehe in the Namib Naukluft Park.
It consists of 8 days but there is also a 4 day option.
This is not an easy trail, therefore only for the fit/experienced hiker and should be planned carefully.
But the scenery and remoteness (you won't see any other people besides your group for those days) are unique. There is a lot of game in the park including big animals like gemsbok and zebras and leopard spoors are a very common sight.
The first day with two climbs (great views) and then contouring towards the Putte Shelter is not too difficult and will get you used to your heavier than usual backpack.
On the second day the trail follows a flat piece for quite a while before reaching Bergpos and then descending down into Ubusis Kloof with the help of chains (just chains, NOT chain LADDERS). This part can be quite time consuming (it depends on the group). After the chains have been negotiated the trail winds along the dry river bed in a beautiful gorge until you reach Ubusis Hut. The Ubusis Hut had been a holiday home long time ago and now it provides bunk beds and a cold shower to hikers.
Day three starts with going nearly all the way back to where you came from the previous day, through the gorge and up the chains again. At Bergpos the trail carries on along the flat Kudu Plains to the Adlerhorst Shelter.
On the fourth day it is flat first before entering Zebra Kloof with another chain. A climb and a rather steep descent follow, then along a road that takes you to Tsams Ost.
From day five the climbs get steeper and longer, on day five you start with a climb and the views from the top are great, then gradually the trail follows a dried out river bed down before reaching the flat and very long Melkbos Plain. The trail goes along the old jeep track and ends at Die Valle Shelter.
Day six again starts with a steep climb before reaching a few pools, then the trail carries on in a valley that doesn't seem to end. It passes Tufa Cave, tufa is a calcium carbonate deposit and there are large relicts in the Naukluft. Once you reach the top the trail gradually follows an old mountain road down for a long time until you reach Tufa Shelter.
On the seventh day you follow a dry river bed where the boulders get bigger and bigger and finally you can only get further with the help of a chain. After that the climbing gets easier and you reach the top plateau at World's View. Here you have the most awsome view and it is definitely worth spending some time enjoying it. Then it is not too far to Kapokvlakte Shelter. Some people combine day 7 and 8 but then it might get too rushed and Kapokvlakte Shelter is the best place for star gazing on the trail.
Day eight follows the Never Ending Hills first before descending with a gorge which also doesn't seem to end. There are some rock pools towards the end of the trail.

The start (day 1)

Some of the famous chains (day 2)

Back through the gorge     (day 3)

Rugged mountains (day 4)

After the first climb (day 5)

Tufa Cave (day 6)

Great view from the plateau (day 7)

Following the valley back to the base camp (day 8)

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