Berakah Eco Trail: Bum-Sliding, Laughter and Adventure

The Plan (Because All Adventures Start with One)

My first back-to-back hike with my hiking pal Sage, in what felt like forever.

We’re the dream team - same pace, same photo obsession, and an unspoken rule that if she slips, I’ll help…..after I have got the perfect shot.

SAGE...WHEN HER PANTS WILL STILL IN TACT

Oh, and we laugh — a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

This time, we were off to tick another one off my list: the Berakah Eco Trail near Parys.

First Impressions

The last stretch of the drive is a corrugated sand road - bumpy but doable.

I was braced for a “pee behind a bush” situation, but surprise! Civilization - with plumbing!

The Trail: Variety and Adventure

We chose the full 13 km route. The friendly greeter warned us about one “extremely rocky and tough,” section to avoid.

DON'T BE FOOLED!

What she didn’t mention were the other tough bits. Though, to be fair, the map did whisper warnings like “steep incline” and “heavy decline,” but apparently, I’ve reached the stage of my life where I consider that “a challenge” instead of “a warning.”

The trail doubles as a 4x4 route, which means some sections are very technical - not in the fun, “grab a rock and a root and scramble” way. Nope. More like “steep, slope with nothing to hold onto, so... bum it is” way.

Speaking of bums — Sage’s pants didn’t survive the first slide. One rip and one strategically tied jersey.

And don’t let the photos fool you. Photos lie, by the way. They don’t capture how steep or terrifying it really was. - none of it translates. Dammit.

A Trail with Multiple Personalities.

This trail has everything. One minute you’re in a shaded forest, the next you’re in bush wondering if you’ve changed trails - then boom, it opens up into a wide, sunlit expanse.

It keeps you guessing all the way.

Oh, and those 4x4 tracks hanging over a drop? Yep, we walked them.

Couldn’t pay me to drive them though. I’ll take my panic attacks on foot, thanks.

The Bum-Slide Chronicles

We met some hikers who warned the next bit required another bum-slide.

Since Sage’s pants had already fallen in battle, we….well... I figured, it was statistically my turn - so we took the “alternate route.”

Regrets? A few.

Pants intact? Mine, yes - so I’ll call that a win.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Koedoespruit, near Parys

COST

R 55

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Short, sharp inclines with one long, steady climb. Very technical in parts.

TRAIL LENGTH

Various options.

We did around 12 km - or as I call it, “close enough.”

TRAIL MARKERS

Mostly good - until they weren’t. Without Sage, I’d still be trying to find the car park.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Bum-slides, forest patches, stream crossings, views, peace, and pure adventure.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Shade is limited. Bring water (and salt) and a will to live.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Accommodation: Rustic chalets at R 225 per person - crazy good value in the big scheme of things. There’s also camping and caravaning available.

Activities: 4x4, mountain biking, quad biking, and hiking trails.......and bum sliding.

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Plenty of birds if you know what to look for - we didn’t, but the chirping was lovely.

Wildlife? Only sheep at the accommodation and… and suspicious droppings.

NOTE TO SELF

Return for a Parys weekend. Accommodation sorted.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes - but maybe skip the steep sections with little ones.

PET FRIENDLY

Google says yes, but I was told no. So double check.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Fabulous chaos in trail form. Sweat, laughter, torn fabric, and the pure joy of earning your post-hike cappuccino (off site).

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO

Bring a buddy. You’ll need someone nearby if your bum slide goes pear-shaped.