By Noko Mashilo
Lesego Mapeka, co-founder and lead wellness curator of Epic Hikes, is transforming personal experience into a scalable wellness venture that addresses one of South Africa’s most urgent but underserved needs of mental health.
Mapeka launched Epic Hikes from a deeply personal journey, and it has grown into a purpose driven business that leverages nature-based experiences to promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and mental clarity.
Epic Hikes is based at the NIROX Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind where it offers curated hikes and wellness programmes that are attracting a diverse client base, from corporate executives seeking balance to a township youth in search of hope.
In a wellness sector that is growing rapidly, Epic Hikes stands out as a unique and impactful initiative operating at the intersection of mental health, nature, and entrepreneurship.
It offers guided day hikes ranging from 5 km to 15 km, typically ending with a meal at one of their partner restaurants. They also organize weekend camping and hiking trips across Gauteng, the Drakensberg, Lesotho, Namibia, and the Western and Northern Cape. The company collaborates with various restaurants and accommodation providers to enhance the experience. Hikes are offered at per-person fee and cater to individuals, groups, and corporate team-building events
Speaking to Vula Vala, Mapeka shared that the idea for Epic Hikes came from a longing to return to what is natural, silence, nature, and the wisdom found in stillness.
“After navigating some deeply personal mental health struggles, I began walking as a form of therapy. What started as solo hikes gradually became shared spaces for others to reflect, breathe, and simply be,” said the 32-year-old entrepreneur from Dobsonville, Soweto who saw how healing it was and knew he had to make it accessible, especially in a society that rarely checks on the space between our ears.
Mapeka openly shared that he had gone through seasons of feeling mentally crippled, overwhelmed by expectations, isolation, and emotional weight. “But in nature, I found a softness and a clarity I could not find anywhere else. It shaped my belief that we all carry trauma in some form, and if we do not deal with it gently, it will eventually deal with us. That is why our approach at Epic Hikes is trauma-sensitive, slow-paced, and reflective. Everyone walks at their own rhythm, literally and emotionally,” he said.
He said that building Epic Hikes without institutional support or financial backing was challenging. “Convincing people that silence and wellness could be powerful tools in a noisy world was not easy. Positioning nature and mindfulness as essential, not a luxury, was a hurdle. But I kept walking. I had to remind myself that the road less travelled is often the most worthwhile,” he said.
Despite the impact of his work, Mapeka revealed that he has not received any support from local tourism, wellness institutions, or government bodies but remains open to it.
“Meaningful support would look like funding for youth wellness programmes, logistics for rural hikes, and inclusion in eco-tourism strategies. We are not just about hiking, we are cultivating wellness ecosystems,” he added.
Mapeka said that Epic Hikes follows a distinct rhythm, each journey begins in silence. “We walk intentionally, often barefoot, tuning into our breath and the rhythm of the land. There are moments for reflection, storytelling, mindful movement and often, tears. It is not about the distance covered; it is about what you release along the way.
I have seen men open up about trauma they have carried since childhood. I have seen corporate leaders break down and begin to rebuild. I have seen township youth start to dream again,” he explained.
His advice to others is simple but powerful, start where you are. “Use what you have and start with why. Your purpose is your capital. Your story matters. Do not wait for perfect conditions, walk your dream into existence.”
One of the participants, Levy Sedumedi, an employee at Tshebedisano Funeral Parlour, joined a recent hike in celebration of Men’s Mental Health Month. “I have never had a safe space to cry before. “Hiking is a true form of therapy for me. It is incredibly fulfilling. I have heard that some companies send their staff on hikes for wellness and now I see why. I really hope my boss can organise another trip soon. This time, maybe with our wives, since this one was just for male employees from our company,” he said.
