Go walking this weekend
1 SHELTER ROCK
8 KM, MAGALIESBERG
Getting to the Magaliesberg is only a 90-minute drive from Joburg or Pretoria, which makes this trail at Skeerpoort a nice outing.
The trail climbs towards Shelter Rock, which is about 2,4 km from the trailhead. Scramble up the rock for a view of the valley, then carry on to an even higher point called Tweeboomnek. There’s an expansive view from the summit, which is about 4,3 km from the start of the trail. You’ll see Rustenburg to the north-west, and even Sun City on a clear day. Madibeng (Brits) is to the north-east, and the scenery directly north is dominated by orange and blueberry orchards, granite koppies and platinum mines. Hartbeespoort Dam shimmers to the east. If you squint, you can see the high-rises of Sandton.
Remember to look up from your feet every now and then – for Verreauxs’ eagle, southern boubou, blue waxbill or a flock of European bee-eaters preparing to fly overseas.
Where? Shelter Rock is halfway between Magaliesburg and Hartbeespoort Dam. The turn-off is on the R401.
Cost: R80 per adult; R40 per child under 16; free for children under 6.
Contact: 071 473 6298; shelterrock.co.za
– Lawrette McFarlane
2 HENNOPS TRAILS
2,5/5/10 KM, PELINDABA
The Hennops River flows through the heart of Gauteng. Where it joins up with the Crocodile River, you’ll find Hennops Trails with various hiking, mountain-biking and 4x4 options, plus a picnic site with braai facilities and two swimming pools.
The shortest of the hikes (2,5 km) first takes you to Hospital Cave, which was used as a field hospital by Boer soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War. Then it goes uphill, following the signs to a suspension bridge over the river. If you’re nervous about crossing, don’t be – the bridge has been in use since 1932 and hasn’t failed yet…
On the other side of the bridge, the path climbs into grassland in the foothills of the Magaliesberg – look for jackal, warthog and kudu. Reaching a stand of trees, keep your eyes open for another cave called Pruimpie se Gat. According to legend, a boy called Pruimpie was left behind when the Zulus drove Mzilikazi’s followers out of the area in the 1800s. The boy grew up wild and lived in the cave, often asking nearby farmers for chewing tobacco (pruim).
From there, the trail descends back to a cableway over the river. Jump in and pull yourself across using the rope anchored on the opposite bank.
Where? About 30 km from Pretoria and 60 km from Joburg, in the direction of Hartbeespoort Dam. Turn off the R511 at the sign for the Hennops picnic site and hiking trail.
Cost: R80 per adult; R40 per school-going child.
Contact: 082 825 9205; hennopstrails.co.za
– François Haasbroek
3 TUGELA GORGE
14 KM, DRAKENSBERG
Royal Natal National Park has about 20 hiking trails, of which Tugela Gorge is the big one. The trail isn’t too challenging or too long (about 14 km there and back), but you’ll spend a lot of time looking at the view so it’s a good idea to get an early start.
The first part of the trail from Thendele camp follows the course of the Vermaan River, a tributary of the Tugela, through stands of indigenous
