New slackpacking trail gives hikers access to glorious landscapes and comfortable retreats
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.” – John Muir
There is a certain stillness that can only be found on a multi-day trek. The childlike excitement as one takes one’s first steps on the trail, the sweat of a steep incline, the reward of putting one’s dirty feet up at the end of a long day, the awe-inspiring alpine vistas, the contrast between chatter with friends and quiet contemplation in an environment so awe-inspiring that it demands deep and profound thought. To experience this colourful range of emotions requires us to take not hours but days out of our busy, loud, scheduled lives. It requires effort, but the reward – the gradual unwinding of body and mind – is worth the toil.
The newly established Nature Way gives slackpackers the chance to do this in South Africa’s most picturesque alpine wilderness, combining the comfort of cooked meals, beds and portered luggage between four gorgeous Drakensberg lodges with the ruggedness of daily treks through the 6,500ha Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve.
Forest and further
Day one takes visitors from The Cavern to Greenfire (12km). Showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity of the Drakensberg, the first day of the trail leads hikers into the cool shade of pristine indigenous montane forest, meandering past trees that are centuries old, before a steep incline that ups the heart rate while opening the view of the valley that is to be the stage for the next few days’ adventure. Hikers then join a path that contours below the sandstone cliffs of the ‘Little Berg’, leading them through mixed grassland and forests and across crystal-clear streams before the final short descent to Greenfire. Remote, rustic and perched high up in the mountains, the vista from Greenfire offers a proper sense of reward at the end of a challenging first day’s trek.
On day two, the route winds from Greenfire to Berghouse & Cottages (18km). Feeling refreshed after a restful night in Greenfire’s cosy log cabins, lace up those boots and get ready for another day in the hills. The route begins on the mountain bike path parallel to the sandstone cliffs (keep a lookout for the vulture colony) towards an undulating dirt road before twisting around a mountaintop and descending via a horse trail deeper down into the valley. The path then follows a mountain stream, reaching a beautifully shaded picnic spot. This is the perfect place to pause, have lunch and dip your feet in the cool, rushing water. Crossing this stream, the path then begins its winding ascent to Berghouse, where you will be greeted with warm hospitality, a view back down the valley you have spent the last two days exploring, as well as a sneak peek of what awaits in the days to come. The backdrop to this entire scene is the iconic Amphitheatre, flanked by the Malutis to the north and the main Drakensberg escarpment to the south, stretching hundreds of kilometres to the horizon.
Time to relax
The third day’s walk extends from Berghouse & Cottages to Montusi Mountain Lodge (9km). The shortest day of the trek offers a welcome chance to take things slow, appreciate the finer details of the beauty that surrounds you and enter a meditative state as the chaos of work life fades into memory. You are now in a hiking rhythm that gives your days momentum and purpose. The trail descends towards a river, joining with a wide track where you can walk side by side with a companion, losing yourself in conversation and laughter. Arriving at your destination earlier than the previous days, you’ll find an abundance of time, space and peaceful spots to rest and reflect. Take a walk through Montusi’s beautiful gardens, enjoy a reflective moment of quiet stillness next to the dam or take advantage of the luxury of your freestanding room with its expansive mountain views.
Day four takes hikers to the end of the trail at The Cavern (16km). The final day’s walk begins through the horse paddock, continuing down past the Waterfall Cave, joining another river, and then gradually rising up out of the Montusi Gorge towards All Out Adventures, where a coffee and snack break will give you the required energy for the home stretch. The route then zigzags up onto a long contour path which stretches for kilometres back towards The Cavern. This is the victory lap of the trail, with views of the entire route that your feet have carried you over the last few days. It is a chance to reflect on the beauty and the lessons learnt and a chance to transform the experience into renewed energy to take home with you. At the end of this contour, the trail descends past The Grotto down towards The Cavern.
While the trail can be done in four days, consider tagging on a few extra days if possible. The Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve contains a rich diversity of wildlife, including free-roaming eland herds and a vulture colony. The Reserve is also home to several cultural heritage sites, including rock art from the Bushmen era, and is also a stone’s throw from the Tugela Gorge, a stunning day trip to be added onto the trek.
Text and Photography | Supplied
For more information about The Nature Way, go to cavernblog.co.za.
