View source for Fish River Canyon

{{short description|Largest canyon in Africa}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Fish River Canyon
| photo = Fish River Canyon from Main View Point.jpg
| photo_caption = Panorama from Main View Point
| photo_width = 250
| map = Namibia |relief=1
| map_caption = Map of [[Namibia]]
| map_width = 250
| coordinates = {{coord|-27.589293|17.597587|region:NA|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 5900
| area_ref = <ref>Namibia Tourism Board (2009). [http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/country_s_region.php ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727212322/http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/country_s_region.php |date=2014-07-27 }}. Retrieved on 19 May 2009.</ref>
| established = 
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = Ministry of Environment and Tourism
}}
{{Contains special characters|Khoekhoe}}

The '''Fish River Canyon''' ([[Afrikaans]]: ''Visrivier Canyon'' or'' Visrivier Kuil'', {{langx|de|Fischfluss Canyon}}) is located in the south of [[Namibia]]. It is the largest canyon in [[Africa]], and the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia.<ref name="27canyons">Matador Trips - 27 of the deepest canyons you can experience.</ref> It features a gigantic ravine, in total about {{convert|100|mi|km|order=flip}} long, up to 27&nbsp;km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep.

The [[Fish River, Nambia|Fish River]] is the longest interior river in Namibia. It cuts deep into the plateau which today is dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants. The river flows [[River#Classification|intermittently]], usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools. The hot springs resort of [[ǀAi-ǀAis]] is situated at the lower end of the Fish River Canyon.

Public view points can be visited near Hobas, a camp site 70&nbsp;km north of ǀAi-ǀAis. This part of the canyon is part of the  [[ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park]], while the remainder is privately owned.

==Geology==
[[Image:Fishriver-sat-1.jpg|thumb|left|Satellite image of the canyon]]
[[File:Fish River Canyon Bird's eye view.jpg|thumb|Fish River Canyon Bird's Eye View]]
The Fish River canyon consists of an upper canyon, where river erosion was inhibited by hard [[gneiss]] bedrocks, and a lower canyon formed after erosion had finally worn through the solid metamorphic rocks. Both parts have been declared a [[national monument]] in 1962.<ref name=Voigt>{{Cite book | title=National Monuments in Namibia: An Inventory of Proclaimed National Monuments in the Republic of Namibia | last=Voigt | first=Andreas | publisher=Gamsberg Macmillan | year=2004 | pages=22–23 | isbn=9991605932 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0h0AAAAMAAJ | access-date=2018-06-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121429/https://books.google.com.na/books?id=h0h0AAAAMAAJ | archive-date=2018-06-14 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Upstream, the river runs through horizontal dolomite strata; these [[metamorphic rock]]s form part of the canyon. About 650 million years ago (Mya), plate movement had formed a north-south [[graben]], or lowered area, along which the ancient Fish River could flow and eventually erode a flat plain to create today's upper canyon. Glaciation at around 300 Mya, part of the Dyka glaciation during the [[Karoo Ice Age]], further deepened the canyon. About 60 Mya, South America and Africa separated (due to [[continental drift]]) and Africa rose significantly; the consequentially increased gradient of the Fish River enabled it to erode the lower canyon into the hard gneisses, forming the current deeply twisting, meandering system of the lower canyon. With the separation of the continent Gondwana about 120 million years ago and the uplifting of the African continent the gradient of the Fish River increased - allowing it to erode even deeper into the rock. Today the deepest point of the canyon is 549 metres deep.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Visit Africa! The Fish River Canyon, Namibia |url=https://visitafrica.site/destinations/experience-namibia/fish-river-canyon-park/ |access-date=2021-04-23 |website=visitafrica.site |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== The Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail ==
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
| name = Fish River Canyon [[Hiking trail]]
| embed = 
| cellstyle = 
| title = 
| photo = Fish River Canyon - Towards Wild Fig Bend.JPG
| caption = Wild Fig Bend {{Coord|-27.638|17.599|name=Towards Wilf Fig Bend}}
| location = Fish River Canyon
| designation = 
| established = 
| length = 90 km <ref name="MET1"/>
| trailheads = Hobas / [[ǀAi-ǀAis]]
| use = [[Hiking]] / [[Trail running]]
| elev_gain_and_loss = 620 m (Loss)
| elev_change = <!-- Use ElevGainAndLoss if the gain and/or loss is known. Use this field when only the change is known. -->
| highest = 840 m
| lowest = 220 m
| grade = 
| difficulty = Medium
| season = Winter in [[Southern Hemisphere]]
| months = 1 May - 16 Sep
| sights = Spectacular scenery, [[wildlife]]
| hazards = Steep descent, boulders, rocks, deep sand, slippery river crossings, baboons, snakes, scorpions
| surface = 
| ROW = 
| website = 
}}
The Fish River Canyon [[hiking trail]] is one of the more popular hiking trails in [[Southern Africa]]. The immense scale and rugged terrain has drawn many visitors from all over the world to experience [[hiking]] or [[trail running]] the [[canyon]].

Apart from the 2 kilometre descent west of Hobas and some optional short cuts, the trail generally follows 88 kilometres of the [[Fish River (Namibia)|Fish River]] through to ǀAi-ǀAis and is usually completed within 5 days.<ref name="MET1"/> Although there are a number of footpaths through the canyon, the trail is not fixed - leaving the hiker to decide where and how long to hike.

There are no amenities on the trail and hikers have to carry all their needs with them. Open fires are not allowed on the trail.<ref name="MET1"/>

In times of inclement weather, some shelter in a run-down building can be found at the Causeway ({{Coord|-27.829|17.571|name=Causeway}}) but otherwise sleeping is outdoors.

The weather is usually mild and typical temperatures vary between 5&nbsp;°C and 30&nbsp;°C with little humidity. Extreme weather, such as flash floods, stormy winds and rain occasionally play havoc during the hiking season.<ref name="Floods"/>

===Permits===

Due to flooding and extremely hot summer temperatures reaching 48&nbsp;°C during the day and 30&nbsp;°C at night, permits are only issued between 1 May and 15 September.<ref name="MET2"/>

Prior to arriving at Hobas a hiking permit must be obtained from Namibia Wildlife Resorts<ref name="NWR"/> for groups not smaller than 3 and not larger than 30. All hikers must be older than 12 years<ref name="MET2"/> and a certificate of fitness, completed by a medical doctor, must be presented at the offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Hobas.

In recent years the trail has become popular, particularly during school holidays and long weekends; therefore permits should be requested well in advance. Bookings for the following year's season open 1 May.

===Trailhead campgrounds===
Hobas ({{Coord|-27.619|17.715|name=Hobas gate}}) houses the Ministry of Environment and Tourism<ref name="MET0"/> offices as well as Namibia Wildlife Resorts<ref name="NWR"/> offices and a little shop for curiosities and basic necessities. Camping underneath [[Acacia erioloba|Camelthorn]] trees with ablution blocks is available for hikers who plan to overnight at Hobas.

The trail ends at ǀAi-ǀAis where a resort with hotel rooms, chalets and camping grounds can be found.

A shuttle service runs approximately every three hours between ǀAi-ǀAis and Hobas. It should be booked in advance through the offices of Namibia Wildlife Resorts<ref name="NWR"/> at ǀAi-ǀAis.

===The trail===
{|  style="right: 1px solid #BBB; :"
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | '''Trail Characteristics'''
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | Descent - Sulphur Springs
|-
| [[File:Fish River Canyon - Sand at descend.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Deep Sand {{Coord|-27.588|17.598|name=Beach}}]]
| [[File:Fish River Canyon - Boulder section before Wild Fig Bend.JPG|thumb|right|120px|Boulders {{Coord|-27.627|17.606|name=Boulders}}]]
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | Sulphur Springs - Three Sisters
|-
| [[File:Fish River Canyon - River stones.jpg|thumb|right|120px|River Stones {{Coord|-27.717|17.581|name=Sandy Slope}}]]
| [[File:Fish River Canyon - Firmer ground.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Firmer Ground {{Coord|-27.742|17.581|name=Vasbyt Bend}}]]
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | Three Sisters - Ai Ais
|-
| [[File:Fish River Canyon Causeway to Four Finger Rock.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Widening Canyon {{Coord|-27.827|17.574|name=Causeway}}]]
| [[File:Fish River Canyon - Last stretch of hike.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Trail end {{Coord|-27.905|17.498|name=Trail End}}]]
|-
|}
The trail starts from the car park ({{Coord|-27.577|17.609|name=Car Park}}) 13 kilometres west from Hobas. The descent is steep and chains are provided to assist hikers over the first 100 meters.<ref name="MET1"/> Thereafter the unmarked path follows a gravel trail to the river floor at the bottom ({{Coord|-27.588|17.598|name=Beach}}).
On the descent some misleading game trails lead to the north and should be avoided.

The trail can be divided into three notable sections:
:* The descent down to Sulphur Springs (also known as Palm Springs) will take the hiker through the narrowest section of the canyon.  Layered with big boulders, rocks and deep sand, making the journey slow and laborious, hiking the descent results in an average hiking speed between 6 and 10 kilometres per day.
:* The route from Sulphur Springs to Three Sisters is mostly on firmer ground with plenty river stones and frequent river crossings. Average hiking speed is between 15 and 25 kilometres per day.
:* From Three Sisters to ǀAi-ǀAis the canyon widens out with some sections reachable in 4x4 vehicles. Average hiking speed here is between 25 and 35 kilometres per day.

Optional short cuts are available. They offer little in beauty but may be a welcome change of scenery and terrain.
Popular short cuts are found at:
:* the 50 kilometer mark ({{Coord|-27.775|17.593|name=Three Sisters short cut}}) before Three Sisters to cross over Kooigoed Ridge towards Barble Pools.
:* from Barble Pools ({{Coord|-27.793|17.588|name=Barble Pools short cut}}) to cross via Vasbyt Nek to the German Soldier's grave.
:* Bandage pass ({{Coord|-27.837|17.561|name=Bandage Pass short cut}}) between the Causeway and Fool's Gold corner.

===The river===
[[Image:Fish River Crossing.JPG|thumb|right|120px|River Crossing {{Coord|-27.741|17.573|name=After Vasbyt}}]]
The river flows stronger early in the season and by September usually dries up to form a chain of stagnant pools. Water is safe to drink, however the use of water purifying tablets is recommended.

River crossings are a notable feature with more than 20 crossings over the course of the trail, and crossings may become a major consideration when water levels are high.<ref name="Floods"/>

===Emergencies===

There is no [[mobile phone]] reception in the canyon and only two emergency exits are available. Evacuation from the deep canyon is done via stretcher on foot or helicopter and vehicles in the later parts of the trail. Emergency exits can be found:
:* prior to Sulphur Springs at {{Coord|-27.650|17.609|name=Emergency BottomExit1}}
:* as a Jeep track at {{Coord|-27.819|17.587|name=Exit2}}. This leads 10 kilometres further to the main road between Ai Ais and Hobas.

==Trail running in the Canyon==
[[Image:Race_along_Fish_River_Canyon, Namibia.jpg|thumb|right|An international race along Fish River Canyon]]
Documented running through the [[canyon]] started in 1990. A group of [[hikers]] in running gear attempted to complete the 5 day, 90 kilometer [[hiking trail]] in 24 hours. They achieved their goal in a time of 11hrs 42min. In August 2003 this time was lowered to 10hrs 54min.<ref name="Sandes2011"/>
In August 2012, after a previously abandoned attempt in 2011, [[Ryan Sandes]] completed the course in 6hrs 57min.<ref name="VimeoRyan"/>

===Hiking records===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Date || Record Time || Runner(s) || Country
|-
|13 July 1990 || 11hrs 42min || Bruce Matthews, Ronnie Muhl || {{RSA}}
|-
|16 August 2003 || 10hrs 54min || Russell Paschke, Charlie du Toit, Coenraad Pool and Tommy van Wyk || {{NAM}}
|-
|3 August 2012 || 6hrs 57min || [[Ryan Sandes]] || {{RSA}}
|-
|18 June 2016 || 6hrs 39min 52sec || AJ Calitz || {{RSA}}
|}

===The Fish River Canyon Ultra Marathon===
[[Image:Athlete racing in the Fish River Canyon.jpg|thumb|right|A contestant facing one of many technical sections through the Fish River Canyon {{Coord|-27.650|17.611|name=Exit2}}]]
Unofficial running through the canyon has subsequently evolved into the annual Fish River Canyon [[Ultramarathon|Ultra Marathon]] which held its inaugural race on 27 August 2011.

This technical [[Ultramarathon|marathon]] follows most sections of the current [[hiking trail]],<ref name="Full"/><ref name="Lite"/> testing the athlete's capabilities to the extreme.

The route starts close to Hobas and after a short section on the rim of the canyon steeply descends 500 meters to river level. Thereafter the contestants mostly follow the river to ǀAi-ǀAis. They are allowed to plan their own routes and take short-cuts through the canyon provided they reach a number of predefined checkpoints. Shortcuts may greatly reduce the total distance of the race<ref name="Lisa">In 2011 Lisa de Speville's chosen route was 64 km as measured with her iGot-U tracker</ref> but may also cost the contestant dearly in effort.

Due to the remoteness of the trail, all competitors are required to be self-sufficient for the duration of the event and are expected to have adequate nutrients as well as the stipulated survival gear. Water is generally sourced from the river which is always close by.

Previous [[trail running|trail runners]] have commented on the difficulty of the terrain: "The canyon is one of the most beautiful places I have seen but at the same time is one of the harshest environments I have run in. I really battled in the canyon due to the extreme heat and terrain and running in there was one of the toughest days of my athletic career."<ref name="Sandes2011"/>
"This canyon is not for the faint hearted and an attempt to run it should not be taken light-heartedly."<ref name="Sandes2011"/><ref name="Charlie"/>

====Winners====
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=====Men's Ultra=====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year || Approximate Distance || Winner || Time || Country
|-
|2019 || 100&nbsp;km || AJ Calitz ||08:57:42 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2018 || 100&nbsp;km || AJ Calitz ||08:28:45 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2017 || 100&nbsp;km || AJ Calitz ||08:55:09 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2016 || 100&nbsp;km || Eric Tollner ||11:32:08 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2015 || 100&nbsp;km || AJ Calitz ||08:04:41 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2014 || 100&nbsp;km || AJ Calitz ||08:04:15 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2013 || 100&nbsp;km || Fanuel Thinyemba ||10:26:10 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2012 || 100&nbsp;km ||  Hanno Smit ||10:11:33 || {{RSA}}
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

=====Women's Ultra=====

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year || Route Distance || Winner || Time || Country
|-
|2019 || 100&nbsp;km || Risa Dreyer || 11:25:55 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2018 || 100&nbsp;km || Carine Gagiano || 10:35:59 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2017 || 100&nbsp;km || Sandra le Roux || 14:17:56 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2016 || 100&nbsp;km || Lubov Sych || 13:21:19 || {{flag|Ukraine}}
|-
|2015 || 100&nbsp;km || Charmain Salvage|| 11:54:14 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2014 || 100&nbsp;km || Linda Doke|| 11:50:35 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2013 || 100&nbsp;km || Kristinet van der Westhuizen || 17:41:50 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2012 || 100&nbsp;km || Sandie Rogerson || 21:27:02 || {{RSA}}
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=====Men's Lite=====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year || Approximate Distance || Winner || Time || Country
|-
|2019 || 65&nbsp;km || Laurie van Zyl ||05:52:15 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2018 || 65&nbsp;km || Rory Scheffer ||05:13:49 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2017 || 65&nbsp;km || Athanasius Muronga ||08:06:24 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2016 || 65&nbsp;km || Athanasius Muronga ||06:13:48 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2015 || 65&nbsp;km || Athanasius Muronga ||06:24:39 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2014 || 65&nbsp;km || Athanasius Muronga ||07:31:34 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2013 || 65&nbsp;km || Jacobus Diener ||08:19:05 || {{RSA}}
|-
| || || Joseph Kamungwe ||08:19:05 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2011 || 83&nbsp;km || Frans Amunyela ||09:36:56 || {{NAM}}
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

=====Women's Lite=====

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year || Route Distance || Winner || Time || Country
|-
|2019 || 65&nbsp;km || Julika Pahl || 7:00:49 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2018 || 65&nbsp;km || Alexandro Marco|| 8:30:43 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2017 || 65&nbsp;km || Julia Jansen van Rensburg || 8:45:09 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2016 || 65&nbsp;km || Sandra le Roux || 8:27:19 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2015 || 65&nbsp;km || Georgina Ayre || 8:45:45 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2014 || 65&nbsp;km || Caley Loots || 10:54:46 || {{RSA}}
|-
|2013 || 65&nbsp;km || Koba Becker || 13:31:25 || {{NAM}}
|-
|2011 || 83&nbsp;km || Lisa de Speville || 11:39:27 || {{RSA}}
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==See also==
*[[Blyde River Canyon]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Full">"Full version": Starting at the Race Village {{Coord|-27.652|17.622|name=Village}} close to the Emergency Exit to descent at the Hiker's descent {{Coord|-27.578|17.606|name=Hikers}}.</ref>
<ref name="Lite">"Lite version": Starting at the Main View point {{Coord|-27.589|17.615|name=ViewPoint}} to descent at the Emergency Exit {{Coord|-27.643|17.617|name=Emergency}}.</ref>
<ref name="VimeoRyan">The Beauty of the Irrational - http://www.vimeo.com/47355798 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905063304/http://vimeo.com/47355798 |date=2012-09-05 }} The Beauty of the Irrational</ref>
<ref name="Sandes2011">Ryan Sandes after Racing the Planet - http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Sandes-eyes-Fish-River-record-20110314 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165428/http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Sandes-eyes-Fish-River-record-20110314 |date=2012-10-24 }}</ref>
<ref name="Charlie">Charlie du Toit, Comrades Marathon silver medallist</ref>
<ref name="MET0">Ministry of Environment and Tourism http://www.met.gov.na {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715185720/http://www.met.gov.na/ |date=2010-07-15 }}</ref>
<ref name="MET1">Ministry of Environment and Tourism - Hiking the Fish River Canyon: {{cite web |url=http://www.met.gov.na/Documents/Ai-Ais%20Fact%20sheet2.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-09-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035029/http://www.met.gov.na/Documents/Ai-Ais%20Fact%20sheet2.pdf |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}</ref>
<ref name="MET2">Ministry of Environment and Tourism - Ai-Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: {{cite web |url=http://www.met.gov.na/Documents/Ai-Ais%20National%20Park.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-09-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224144934/http://www.met.gov.na/Documents/Ai-Ais%20National%20Park.pdf |archivedate=2015-12-24 }}</ref>
<ref name="NWR">Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR): http://nwr.com.na {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902225256/https://nwr.com.na/ |date=2018-09-02 }}</ref>
<ref name="Floods">Hikers trapped in Canyon http://allafrica.com/stories/201105091163.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820180704/http://allafrica.com/stories/201105091163.html |date=2011-08-20 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fish River Canyon, Namibia}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Fish River Canyon}}
*[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207721857070277499737.00048c99f9916a28bc288&msa=0 Interactive Hiker's map]
*[http://www.vimeo.com/47355798 The Beauty of the Irrational - Documentary about racing through the canyon]
*[http://www.fishrivercanyon1968vespaexpedition.com The official 1968 Cape Town Vespa Club Fish River Canyon Expedition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921232238/http://fishrivercanyon1968vespaexpedition.com/ |date=2023-09-21 }}
*[http://www.met.gov.na Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715185720/http://www.met.gov.na/ |date=2010-07-15 }}
*[http://www.peaceparks.org/tfca.php?pid=19&mid=1001 Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park]
*[http://www.flyingthefish.com Canyon views] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601101242/http://www.flyingthefish.com/ |date=2018-06-01 }}
*[http://www.vogelstrausskluft.com/farm/topo_fishriver_e.php Upper Western part of the Canyon (Vogelstrausskluft)]
*[http://matadornetwork.com/trips/27-of-the-deepest-canyons-you-can-explore-pics/ Matador Trips - 27 of the deepest canyons you can explore]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100411035959/http://www.namibia-travel.net/southnamibia/fishriver.htm Namibia Travel - Fish River]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canyons and gorges of Namibia|Fish River Canyon (Namibia)]]
[[Category:Geography of ǁKaras Region]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Namibia]]
[[Category:National Monuments of Namibia]]