Hiking Trails – Mountain Pastures

Mountain Pastures, situated in the Klein Karoo, is certainly the ideal hiking destination. We have stunning landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, amazing biodiversity and pristine fynbos. These features, together with challenging mountain ranges, all conspire in helping us to ‘get in touch with nature’.

Mountain Pastures Game Lodge trails have ‘Green Flag Trails’ status, which ensures trail users a safe, quality trail experience.

We offer five well marked trails, ranging from a short, easy trail to a longer moderately difficult trail. The trails are catered to meet the needs of all ages and all levels of fitness. The trails are marked with coloured footprints, the footprints pointing in the direction which needs to be followed. All five trails offer hikers wonderful views, pristine fynbos and the opportunity of sighting various game species. Guided walks are available for all five trails. Those who would like to learn more about the animal and plant life can join a resident Zoologist on a guided trail.

Trails are available to both day visitors and overnight guests. Overnight guests have the benefit of being able to take full advantage of the five trails on offer during their stay. Knowledge that one does not have to rush off after the hike means that overnight guests can enjoy the trails at a more leisurely pace. After the hike, overnight guests can relax in the well- appointed Mountain Pastures accommodation, share memories of the day’s hike and plan hiking the other trails during their stay.

The Trails are graded (number system) according to the Grading system of Green Flag Trails. The difficulty scale is based on the calories used per trail, as well as the technical skills required to complete the trail. Our trails do not require any technical skills/equipment to complete.

The Grading system is based on the number system which ranges from 1 – 10, where 1 = easy and 10 = extremely difficult.

USEFUL TIPS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Hikers should be aware of a few trail considerations:

Weather conditions can change suddenly
Hikers should wear hiking shoes, and bring along water, a hat, jersey and/or a light jacket
Trails can be slippery when wet
There is limited cellphone reception on the trails
Trail 1 and 2 are in the Plains Game area
Only hiking allowed; no braai or party afterwards
Pre bookings are required for all trails

Mountain Pastures Game Lodge is the only Hiking destination in the Uniondale area whose trails are Green Flag accredited.

We are very proud of this achievement. Green Flag Trails are Internationally renowned for their safe and well-managed trails. Our Green Flag status therefore confirms that our trails complies with the international standards and criteria. One of which is to have eco-friendly trails – our trails have been developed in such a way to cause minimal damage to the environment. Our aim is to have sustainable trails, and provide our hikers with a quality experience.

Take Note:

Should hikers wish to complete both the Tranquility Trail and the hike to the waterfall in one day, please note that this would be a long, challenging hike. Hikers would need to set off early in the morning and be prepared to be out on the trail for most of the day.

The Tranquility trails are ideally suited for more experienced hikers.

OUR HIKING TRAILS

Buffalo Gorge Trail (Blue; Situated in Plains Game area)

This is our shortest and easiest trail. The trail winds its way up a kloof to a plateau, and then heads in a westerly direction, with lovely views of mountain ranges to the north and south. Guests are able to stop at a marked viewpoint on the plateau to enjoy the wonderful view to the south. The trail then descends back down, where hikers have a good chance of viewing various game species.

This hiking trail is ideal for a family outing but we will also happily accommodate church groups, school children and corporate retreats.

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Grey Rhebok Trail (White; Situated in Plains Game Area)

After a short meander across a low lying area, the trail ascends gently to the top of a low plateau. The trail then heads along the plateau in a westerly direction, with wonderful 360 degree views, to a Trig beacon. The path zig-zags down a beautiful kloof to a group of Poplar trees. The trail then heads back in an easterly direction over a few low ‘koppies’ across the lower lying areas of the farm.

Technically very similar to the Buffalokloof Trail, but will have you out in the veld for a much longer time.

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Tranquility Trail not including waterfall (Yellow)

Note: Temporarily closed

The trail starts off gently meandering up the north-facing slope of the Hannibal Mountain. Reaching the top, it heads in an easterly direction, the views to the south providing a beautiful ‘backdrop’. The trail descends down the mountain, passing a series of ruins, evidence of a very old previous settlement. It then meanders back up the mountain, over the top, and down towards the start of the trail.

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Waterfall and back via Tranquility Trail (Yellow)

Note: Temporarily closed

The trail starts off gently meandering up the north-facing slope of the Hannibal Mountain. Reaching the top, it heads in an easterly direction, the views to the south providing a beautiful ‘backdrop’. After a short descent, one reaches a split in the trail. Hikers take the path to the left and descend down into the kloof. Once reaching the kloof, a short section up the valley leads to a magnificent waterfall, surrounded by stunning rock faces. One uses the same route to ascend out of the kloof, back to the split in the path. Here, hikers turn right, and continue back up the mountain, along the Tranquility Trail, but in a reverse direction. The trail heads back over the mountain. As one descends on the north side of the mountain, the route splits off the Tranquility Trail, using the ‘escape route’ which enters the game area, back towards the lodge.

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Tranquility Trail including waterfall (Yellow)

Note: Temporarily closed

The trail starts off gently meandering up the north-facing slope of the Hannibal Mountain. Reaching the top, it heads in an easterly direction, the views to the south providing a beautiful ‘backdrop’. After a short descent, one reaches a split in the trail. Hikers take the path to the left and descend down into the kloof. Once reaching the kloof, a short section up the valley leads to a magnificent waterfall, surrounded by stunning rock faces. One uses the same route to ascend out of the kloof, back to the split in the path. Here hikers turn left, and descend down the mountain on the Tranquility Trail. The trail passes a series of ruins, evidence of a very old previous settlement. The trail then meanders back up the mountain, over the top, and down towards the start of the trail.

from R0.00 View Details