Eagle Cove Hiking Trails:Hiking Like a Boss (…Sort Of)

Planning Another Hiking Weekend

Another one of my “seed ideas” decided to sprout, grow legs, put on hiking boots, and march itself into reality.

My hiking bud Rosemary mentioned she was free to hike Saturday AND Sunday, so I thought: camp overnight, hike two trails in the same area,  and feel like tactical geniuses who “maximize efficiency.”

Instead of keeping this a streamlined two-person mission, I got distracted (shocking, I know) and a few weeks ago, texted Esti from Saunterers, thinking she deserved a weekend where she didn’t have to organize a hike, just show up and relax.

Eagle Cove: The Trail That Broke Me (Last Time)

I suggested Eagle Cove—on my redo list, a.k.a. “the trail I needed to conquer on my own terms without spiraling into chaos.”

The first time, I was stomping around in a dark mood (so unlike me), had managed to injure my GOOD thumb on a downhill scramble, and then, because apparently reading WhatsApp messages is too advanced for me, I learned the trail had a ladder.

A LADDER? I had an instant mental spiral, complete with the soundtrack of “why am I like this” on loop.

Bless the hiking club I was with, who basically coached me up like like a toddler on stairs.

It wasn’t awful, but I knew I’d have to return and own that ladder like the gangsta I occasionally pretend to be.

Who to Invite on a Hiking Weekend

Esti being Esti, our trio morphed into six, with her running logistics like a benevolent dictator. I didn’t mind - it was nice to just sit back and watch the adventure unfold.

ESTI

Saturday morning, I fetched Rosemary at “dark o’clock” to meet everyone for a 7 a.m. start. We did not start at 7 a.m. But the weather was kind, so, in an unprecedented act of self-restraint, I spared everyone the usual grumbling about lost time.

Eagle Cove was even more gorgeous—and easier—than I remembered. I nailed the tricky downhill scramble without injuring a single digit. Growth!

Tackling the Ladder: Take Two

Then came The Ladder. I froze, squinted, and announced it was definitely not the same one as before. Not scarier, not easier—just suspiciously… relocated, like it had crept off in the night to mess with me.

When I finally started climbing, I spent the whole way up yelling down to Rosemary that it was a different ladder, which meant I completely forgot to be terrified.

Whether it was distraction, preparation, or just being way more gangsta than Past Me, who knows? I scampered (okay, tiptoed) up like I’d been climbing ladders forever.

The rest of the hike felt shorter, too.

A Fear Conquered

I strutted out, chest puffed, and this time I wasn’t wrecked—no spirals, no mangled thumbs, just smug satisfaction.

Then I checked the time. Midday?? Last time, this hike ate the whole day. So either I’m now a hiking goddess, or Esti shaved off a few kilometers.

I’ll take goddess.

Trail Ratings & Info

AREA

Eagle Cove, which starts from Kumbagana Game Park, is in Rustenburg.

COST: R 130

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Technical in spots, with a few friendly-ish inclines and risky declines.

The ladder - ofcourse.

Adventure more than cardio.

TRAIL LENGTH

We landed up doing 8 km, but there are various options.

TRAIL MARKERS

Mediocre. Bring an Esti or equivalent human GPS.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Mix of shady gorge cover and exposed patches.

ABLUTIONS

PARKING

AMENITIES

Hiking Trail Hut

Wooden Log Cabins

Little canteen

Swimming pool and braai facilities

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Nothing spotted on the trail.

NOTE TO SELF

If you’re not screaming “this isn’t the same ladder!” the whole way up, are you even doing Eagle Cove properly?.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Probably, but tough trail for kids.

PET FRIENDLY

Probably not-phone ahead.

FINAL NOTE

You can hike it in either direction, depending on whether you want to go up or down the ladder. Personally? I’ve got closure and will not be attempting the “down” version—ever.

(TO)SOLO or (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO – Bring friends, preferably ones who will shout encouragement up ladders.