African Swiss Hiking Trail: Another Short Hike I Underestimated

Another exquisite adventure with Boris and his person Basil.

This trail has been on my list for ages, but I kept ignoring it because it looked too short to justify the schlep.

I was wrong.

Again.

The “short ones” always sneak up and surprise you.

Dog Friendly… as in Boris Friendly

When I called ahead, the owner was wonderfully helpful (we love a competent human).

He assured me the trail was dog friendly - and more importantly, Boris friendly.

Boris would never tolerate the tyranny of a rope. And honestly?

Same.

A friendly and efficient voice on the phone is almost always a sign the trail won’t disappoint.

Early Arrival

Official opening? 9 a.m.

Owner? “You can start at 7 though.”

Me? Love it already.

However - he insisted we call him when we arrived so he could explain the route, because “the trail isn’t well marked.”

This, for me (the reigning champion of getting lost), should have been a giant, waving red flag.

But no, I stayed delusionally optimistic, convinced that Basil (who is nearly as directionally challenged as me, but not quite) and I would manage.

And shockingly… we did.

His directions were in my native tongue: cryptic forest witch, and apparently, that’s exactly what works for me.

“Look for the thing. Turn at the other thing.”

“Don’t follow the arrows - they point to a neighbour with a gun who hates trespassers."

"Don’t follow the bike track; it’s been churned into rubble by the motorbikes."

"Do follow the 4×4 track.”

Somehow, that was enough.

The Trail Itself

Let me warn you upfront - this trail is NOT for sissies.

It’s steep, rocky, and sprinkled with loose stones determined to take you out.

The owner had warned us that motorbikes and rains had churned everything up, and he was absolutely right.

The views were stunning - peaceful and quiet.

We also met a gorgeous dog named Astro who joined us for part of the trail before deciding she was done, and trotted home - without even a goodbye lick.

Boris and Astro mostly ignored each other on the trail, living their best parallel lives.

Ticks. So Many Ticks

I have never seen so many ticks in my life. They weren’t trail-specific, just season-specific - one of those “this is nature, deal with it” scenarios.

Basil and I basically spent half the hike doing tick inspections, and yes, there were many we needed to flick off.

MANY.

I’m still not convinced one isn’t lurking somewhere, preparing for a surprise cameo in a few days.

The Fort

Apparently there’s a fort somewhere on the trail.

After my Wonderboom Fort trail recently, I was ready.

Did we find it? Absolutely not.

The owner kindly showed us how we should have reached it, but at that point we were done, dusted, dehydrated, and spiritually unavailable for extra exploring.

Next time, Fort. Maybe.

The African Swiss Restaurant

Astro

The restaurant smelled like warm, rustic heaven.

A carb-soaked Bavarian hug.

Did we stay?

No.

Do I regret it?

Sure.

It now sits firmly on the “must-return-for-this”… right up there with the fort.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Broederstroom Hartbeespoort

COST

R 60

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Inclines and loose rocks, so not for beginners.

TRAIL LENGTH

We clocked 4.74 km.

Google disagrees, but in my language: it took 2 hours and 15 minutes, and it was a proper, decent hike..

TRAIL MARKERS

None. But at least we were warned and properly briefed.

It’s difficult to get lost —just don’t wander into the neighbours' properties unless you want to meet a man with a shotgun...and further on a pack of dogs who take guarding the left fork VERY seriously

Turn right.

Trust me.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Beautiful, peaceful views

Dog-friendly (off lead)

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Open, harsh, and hot. Glad we started early!

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Accommodation, functions and the Rustic Swiss/Bavarian restaurant

NOTE TO SELF

When Basil is terrified that the big bird circling above is actively calculating Boris’s weight......

..…abort the photo op. Immediately.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

Of course

ON A FINAL NOTE

Another awesome adventure with B-squared… so excited for the next few adventures to end the year off right.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO