Diamantvallei Hiking Trail: A.K.A Komma Koek en Koffie Trail

My hiking buddy for the day was Cinnamon - a work colleague I hadn’t hiked with in a while.

Which felt right, because this hike had also been living on "the list" for ages.

Google had refused to explain it properly.

Was it a trail, a mystical land, or a figment of imagination?

Unclear.

So I did what I do best.

Saved, edited and second-guessed.

But luckily, never deleted.

It lived under my personal sub-heading of "Cullinan", which I absolutely love.

Small town.

Character.

Friendly humans.

And most importantly, a strong probability of good coffee.

When You Choose Violence Against Google

In a shocking act of maturity, I decided to pick up the phone instead of spiraling into a 37-tab Google rabbit hole.

Because while I get lost in real life fairly often, I get spectacularly lost online.

The number connected me to a lovely woman who explained everything, confirmed a 7 am Saturday opening (love that always), and even sent me a pin.

She also directed us to the "Komma Koek en Koffie" coffee shop, and confirmed that yes - this was the same as the Diamantvallei trail.

Cullinan: Where Even the Neighbours Are Nice

We arrived to smiles all around. And then discovered: the helpful lady I’d spoken to earlier? Not a trail employee.

She was a neighbour from Spa Maria and Maria Coffee.

So not only are the people of Cullinan delightful, but apparently the neighbours are too.

My neighbours would never.

We received the standard trail briefing:

“It’s well marked. You can’t get lost.”

Which, historically, translates to: "You are absolutely about to get lost."

Bergbokkie Route: Calm. Respectful. Unproblematic.

There are three trail options with different terrain.

It kicks off with a ridiculously beautiful forest section that immediately gave me Kaapsehoop flashbacks - minus the misty drama and wild horses.

We chose "Bergbokkie", which starts by going “up the mountain.”

And by mountain, I mean a polite incline. The kind that doesn’t personally attack you or make you question your fitness.

The trail was mostly flat, calm, and scenic - where you can still breathe and have thoughts.

We passed paddocks with horses, wide open farmland, and a farmhouse with a massive cross that somehow looked different from every angle.

It reminded me of "The Story of an African Farm" - a school set-work book that I definitely did not read, but vividly remember the cover of… probably because I never made it past that.

The Best Guide We Didn’t Hire

At one point, we heard dogs barking. I froze internally.

I love dogs.

I fear dogs without humans.

Unpredictability is not part of my wellness journey.

Cinnamon and I proceeded in absolute silence - no talking, no breathing, minimal existence - until we passed them.

And then… we gained a dog.

She was calm, confident, and immediately decided she was hiking with us.

No discussion.

No consent.

No waiver signed.

Later, we learned her name was "Latyn", and honestly, she was in charge from that moment on.

We also passed a beautiful dam with water lilies - actual water lilies. Imagine?

Casually raising the bar for dams everywhere.

The trail was actually very well marked, except - naturally - right at the end, where trail markers usually disappear to test your character.

We were seconds away from accidentally restarting the entire hike when Latyn stopped, turned around, and gave us a look that said:

“What are you two doing?

This way. I literally live here.”

We followed her.

Obviously.

Diamantvallei Farm Walk: Serenity with a Side of Coffee

Thanks to our self appointed trail guide, we made it back to the charming Komma Koek en Koffie without incident.

They informed us that Latyn belonged to the neighbours and technically shouldn’t have been on the trail.

Respectfully?

She absolutely should have.

Thanks, Cinnamon. Let’s do it again soon.

And Latyn? You’re hired.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Near Cullinan

COST

R 30 - yes, I said thirty rand!

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Easy

TRAIL LENGTH

Choose between Diamant, Bergbokkie, and Vlakvarkie — or do all three, whatever.

TRAIL MARKERS

Good

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

It was a perfect, peaceful farm walk: scenic, easy, low-stress.

And coffee at the end.

Always coffee.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

We had cool weather, but it is mostly open.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

There are workshops, events, functions a guesthouse and the delightful coffee shop.

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Horses… and one iconic dog

NOTE TO SELF

Investigate Cullinan’s neighbour adoption program.

My neighbours are under performing.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes — jungle gym, swings, outdoor seating

PET FRIENDLY

Yes, on lead… unless you’re called Latyn

ON A FINAL NOTE

A beautiful, low-stress escape from the madness.

Highly recommended.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO for me.

For others? Sure.