Looking for some nice day hikes near Joburg

Hi Everyone, post #1 for me!

I'm looking for somewhere close to Joburg (within 3 hours drive) to go on some day hikes. The idea is to drive out on a Saturday morning, do a hike, do another hike on Sunday morning, and drive back. We want to go to the mountains (Drakensberg is a bit too far for the weekend, and we want to go somewhere other than Magaliesberg and Suikerbosrand), spend a night, and just generally chill out for a weekend before we go back to university!

I found the Ribbokkloof hiking trails, but then found their main website (ribbokkloof.co.za), and was really put off by photos of quad bikes and 4x4's. Don't get me wrong, quad biking and 4x4ing is good fun, I really enjoy doing both, but I don't want to hear quadbikes when I'm in the mountains!

Obviously we don't want to go somewhere that's insanely expensive (we're on student budgets), but the ladies have informed me that because of this thing called winter, we will not be camping!

Thanks!

Hi, welcome to the forum

I don't have advice on what you are asking (I known KZN well, I don't know Gauteng very well), but you may be able to help me

You say you know Suikerbosrand well? Have you climbed Toringkop before? I know its the highest point in Gauteng, but I can't find any info on the hike. Any details would help

Thanks!

I wouldn't say I know it well, I've been there twice! The first time I went there I did a 3 (i think, could have been 5) day hike around Suikerbosrand, which was terrific fun. To date it's the only multi-day hike I've done, and it's definately something I wouldn't mind doing again! The second time I went there I just did a day hike.

When we did the multi-day hike, we stayed in the huts which they have there. Those were great, they had solar panels for lights and hot water, which of course was very welcome after a day in the bush! When I enquired a year or two back about going there again, they said that they'd had to close the overnight trails (and consequently the hikes), because people had been coming in and stealing the solar panels and 12V batteries for the lighting. I would have been quite happy to just use a torch, they weren't keen on that idea. Maybe someone else can shed some light (pun unintended) on the status of those huts and hikes!

To answer your original question, yes, I have been up tafelkop. I remember it being more of a hike than a climb - I didn't realise that it was the highest point in Gauteng. I've still got a map of Suikerbosrand, which shows that the path from some of the huts (which we definitely took) goes straight over the top of Tafelkop.

It's too big for my scanner, but I'm sure I'll be able to take a decent quality photo of it to send off to you if you're interested. Might be worth uploading some photos from the trip too

daveway wrote: I'm sure I'll be able to take a decent quality photo of it to send off to you if you're interested. Might be worth uploading some photos from the trip too

That would be awesome

Btw, sorry to steal your thread

Try the Bald Ibis trail. It would be a nice starter for future Berg trips. Easy, safe and you sleep over in a cave. Just make sure you have the right gear and equipment for a winter trip as it will be below freezing..

Welcome and enjoy buddy, you are a Berg addict in the making.

intrepid wrote: Hi daveway and welcome to VE.

Have a look through this search result from SAHikes - something in there may help.

Have you considered the Waterberg? Roads are bad but might still be within your ideal range of distance. Have a look at stuff like this .

Fantastic, thanks! I hadn't even thought of Waterberg - Waterbergkruin looks about perfect! Will also have a look at other places in the area, I'll let you know what happens.

ghaznavid wrote: That would be awesome

Btw, sorry to steal your thread

See link to map post here .

And no problem

Boerkie wrote: Try the Bald Ibis trail. It would be a nice starter for future Berg trips. Easy, safe and you sleep over in a cave. Just make sure you have the right gear and equipment for a winter trip as it will be below freezing..

Welcome and enjoy buddy, you are a Berg addict in the making.

When we last discussed it, one of the ladies said "I don't mind roughing it, but I'm NOT camping in the mountains in winter." No room was left for negociation, so we'll definitely have a look at this one later on, thanks!

I've been trying to go back to the berg for years, but every year the plans have failed! I'll get there eventually :-P


Edit: Has anyone done any of the Wag 'n Bietjie trails? They look pretty sweet! Obviously I'm looking at doing the day walks.
See here and here .