Aasvoelblad:Dancing with the Weather Gods - Hiking, Zen, and Almost Irresponsible Decisions

So, Sage and I defied the weather gods. Again. Rain forecast? Pfft. Lightning risk? Details, details. Would our mothers be proud? Absolutely not.

In my mild defense, I didn’t fully process the “electric death from the sky” part until I was halfway out the door, at which point my brain simply decided: “No lightning yet, no problem.” And off I went.

This idea originated from Facebook—

a post reminded me of the Aasvoëlbad Hiking Trail, which had been chilling on my list for a while, just waiting for its turn.

So, I declared, This weekend, we go. Come hell, high water, or—you know—actual lightning.

Small issues: Would the trail be marked? Would I regret doing this without a responsible adult? Valid concerns. Did they stop me? Absolutely not.

And let me tell you—thank goodness. Because this trail? Phenomenal.

On arrival, Elmarie, our host, was there to greet us—because she doesn’t just own this trail, she lives for it. And honestly? You know a trail is going to be special when the owner is radiating that much enthusiasm.

She launched into a full-blown history lesson, complete with intricate details about the area, the land, and its past.

Sage’s first lesson in Hiking with Hag 101 now out the way - i.e she needs to listen like a responsible adult, because I will retain absolutely nothing.

Now, let’s talk about the energy—because this place oozed peace and tranquility.

The adorable dogs that greeted us? The little details scattered around the property? Charming. And the bathrooms? Listen,I am a sucker for an aesthetically pleasing bathroom. Don’t judge me.

Then Elmarie casually mentioned a labyrinth. A what now? She explained it was for meditation and peace.

And while I was initially all Labyrinth, Schmabyrinth—LET ME HIKE, I ate my words, because as we started wildlife had gathered around it like a scene straight out of a Disney movie. I was this close to pretending I was Snow White and bursting into song

The low-hanging clouds made the entire experience surreal. Sure, they blocked some of the views, but what we got in exchange was a moody, mystical landscape that made me feel like I had entered another dimension.

The sounds of countless birds surrounded us for most of the trail (not that we ever saw them, of course). I’m not saying Elmarie has a secret nature sound machine stashed somewhere, but the whole setup was suspiciously magical, if you ask me.

For much of the hike, we overlooked a lush green mountain, and thanks to all the rain, at one point heard the gushing stream which lay between them.

We eventually stumbled upon rock pools filled with fresh rainwater....just in case this trail was not perfect enough.

The inclines? Totally manageable at the steady but respectable pace we were going. Even the steepest one—the kind that made me painfully aware of my thighs (we’re talking proper steep)—was totally fine when tackled at a steady pace. It didn’t last long, but trust me, it made up for it in intensity.

The downhills had some loose stones, but since we weren’t barreling down like mountain goats on Red Bull,  I somehow made it through without falling, slipping, or face-planting even once. A rare and deeply uncharacteristic achievement for me.

Along the way, we spotted some more wildlife (briefly, before they scuttled away).

One section felt like we’d accidentally stumbled into a butterfly aviary. like we were the main attraction. I wouldn't have been surprised if one of them started braiding my hair.

Towards the end, we walked through what can only be described as an animal graveyard. Elmarie had explained that this was where the vultures drop off the carcasses after their feast. Macabre? Oh, absolutely. Fascinating? Without a doubt.

When we were walking back to the car, I stumbled upon a little rockery that just screamed zen.

As if I had just discovered enlightenment, I told Sage we could have just parked ourselves there for three hours, and I would’ve been perfectly content to absorb the serenity.

This trail wasn’t just peaceful—it was pure, unfiltered zen from start to finish. And that includes the parking!!

Moral of the story? Never let the weather stop you from discovering an incredible trail. But first—find a fellow deranged hiking addict who won’t bat an eye at a little rain, a questionable forecast, or a last-minute “let’s just wing it” plan.

And if you can’t find such a person, don’t worry—me 'n my tribe are here for you. But if they predict lightning? Maybe use a little common sense...well a little more than me anyway.

This trail? A hidden gem. The kind that should be flooding social media feeds, but somehow isn’t. It's like the universe decided to keep it a secret, and frankly, I’m okay with that—let’s just keep this one between us, shall we?

RATINGS

AREA - Brits

COST - R 100

DIFFICULTY 

Steep bits, some technical bits, but totally manageable with a steady pace. Worth every breathless moment.

LENGTH - 7 km

TIME - 3 1/2 hours

ELEVATION -  317 m

MARKERS - Excellent

HIGHLIGHTS 

The views, the peace, the energy.

ABLUTIONS

Quaint and charming. Yes, I care. No, I will not apologize for it.

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES 

No

NOTE TO SELF

Keep finding hidden gems. Maybe avoid the lightning weekends.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Call ahead. Elmarie comes to open up, so don’t just rock up like you own the place.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

NOSOLO

That being said, a seasoned, no-nonsense hiker we saw beforehand was perfectly content to tackle it solo. 

So, if you’re one of those fearless, independent types who laughs in the face of "buddy system" propaganda... go for it.