Bergheim: The Kloof Trail: Chaos, Gorges & The Accidental Master Plan

This was not the plan. I repeat — this was not the plan. But, alas, spontaneity strikes again.

I was minding my own business, when Estie from Saunterers slid into my messages with the oh-so-casual, “Overnight hike at Kgaswane, you in?”

I’ve always said I’d do the De Wildt sunset hike with her, so technically I owed her one. Also, it was just one night in a tent. One. I can handle one night of no sleep, right? Right??

Naturally, I recruited another hiker I’d met on a previous trail — a fellow glutton for punishment (read: delightfully unhinged). She said yes immediately, The meetup time for the Kgaswane overnight? 3:30 PM on Saturday in Rustenburg.

So what’s a girl to do until then?

Obviously, hike.

Then it hit me — I had already planned a hike that weekend with a group… right up until Estie casually waltzed in and flipped my entire Saturday on its head with one message.

So yay! I wouldn’t have to miss the original hike after all. Crisis (sort of) averted.

Quick message to my co-banshee:“Hey, we going early to do the morning hike?” She was in. I was stoked. I’d found a live one.

Next move: logistics. We couldn’t be late for Estie’s hike later that afternoon — and miracle of miracles, the times aligned.

Join group hike? Done. Sorted.

Now, I know what you're thinking:“She can’t possibly be this consistently misguided.”

But, dear reader, let me assure you — this is not a gimmick. It’s not a shtick. It’s not content. It’s my actual life.

Case in point: It’s Friday. Too excited for words. Then the Saturday morning hike group chat starts buzzing… about Sunday’s weather.

SUNDAY???

I stared at my phone like it had personally betrayed me. No. No. No. I thought the hike was on Saturday. Not Sunday.Dammit!! Abort. Abort. Abort.

Co-banshee? Still in for something-I-will-find-shortly?

Absolutely.

Saunterers? Care to join the unfolding chaos?

She was already packing snacks.

After a debate (read: a chaotic flurry of voice notes), Bergheim was tossed into the ring.

It had been sitting on my “maybe someday when I feel brave” list for a while. I had heard that the trails were poorly marked, which is basically a red flag for someone like me who needs arrows, breadcrumbs, and a neon sign that says “this way, dummy.”

But guess what? We had Estie. Estie who had done the trail before. Estie, the trusted hike leader. Estie, the human version of Google Maps but with better calves.

Bergheim it was.

As we drove up the Bergheim driveway, I had déjà vu. Turns out, I had hiked there recently — during a 7-hour MCSA special where we ascended through Bergheim and descended via the MCSA mountain.

So not exactly thrilled at the thought of a repeat. But we were committed. Due to time constraints Estie had decided on a different, shorter route this time: the “Kloof Trail.”

And oh. my. hat.

This trail was like the glam sibling of the one I’d done before. That kloof? Gorgeous. 

We parked ourselves on a rock, took in the views, munched snacks, and actually got to know each other.

Normally I avoid vulnerability like a hill in midday heat, but something about that gorge cracked me wide open. I could’ve spilled my entire life story — twice, with footnotes.

Eventually, we had to cut the hike short — because, well, time (the one thing we never pack enough of).

Then it was off to Rustenburg for a quick food stop before heading to Kgaswane, to wait for the rest of the adventure squad to arrive.

RATING

AREA - Rustenburg

COST 

R 60. (I think… don’t quote me. I was too busy sulking about having to redo a trail I’d already done recently.)

DIFFICULTY 

Not too elevated but with some spicy technical sections in the gorge.

LENGTH - Don't even care

TIME - 2 Hours

MARKERS

Not sure. We had Estie. Be like Estie.

STOPPED HERE FOR A QUICK POST HIKE BINGE

THEIR MENU

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Basic tuck shop

NOTE TO SELF

Never overlook a hiking trail you think you’ve done. Hidden just off the same old path might be her stunning, lesser-known sister — serving gorge, snacks, and soul-reviving vibes you didn’t know you needed.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

NOSOLO