Grootkloof Hiking Trail - A Hike That Went From Meh to Magic

So, I was privileged enough to have my second MCSA hike. Now, I’ve already explained what this amazing club is about in a previous post, so I’m not repeating myself. Don’t be lazy—Google it. Or, here’s a thought... READ MY BLOGS!

Anyway, back to the hike. On this hot and dry day, we were set to meet at Grootkloof in Magaliesburg.

Side note: can Magaliesburg please scoot a little closer to Johannesburg? It has all the best hiking spots, and frankly, the commute is a petrol-guzzling nightmare that's seriously testing my patience.

My last MCSA hike was at Dome Pools—chef’s kiss, by the way—and they have a few other gems too.

These are the hikes I live for: remote, varied terrain, stunning landscapes. Sure, I hate inclines with a burning passion, but I’ve accepted they’re part of the deal. Gotta take the good with the bad apparently.

When we arrived, it had a familiar vibe to Dome Pools, but with its own twist. There was a farmer collecting R 50 for parking, a cute dog wandering around, a chicken here and there, and yes, there were toilets. So, same-same, but different.

So there I was, ready to be wowed...and then I wasn’t.

The landscape initially resembled a set for the next "Mad Max" sequel—thank you, recent fire. A little too much "post-apocalypse chic" for my liking, and I was mentally preparing to chalk this hike up as a dud.

I mean, I get that hiking comes with the "roughing it" package, but I wasn’t ready for "scorched earth."

It gave me serious déjà vu from the Hoogland Hiking Trail a few weeks earlier—except, you know, I was over the whole "Walking Dead" vibe by this point.

But just as I was sinking into hiker’s despair, the universe decided to throw me a bone. The trail shifted

We stumbled upon these incredible rock formations that looked eerily similar to the ones Salt and I saw at Milorho a few months ago—probably because they were..... because this trail is practically a stone’s throw (or, more accurately, a rock formation away) from Milorho. And I’m telling you, those formations never get old. Same vibe, same awesome "I-could-stare-at-this-all-day" energy.

Then things really kicked up a notch: streams appeared, waterfalls made their entrance, and it became a full-on rock scramble—a hiker's dream (well mine anyway).

What made this hike truly special, though, was the day as a whole. We kicked things off at around 8:30 AM and just made a day out of it—well, more like a 3/4 day, but you get the point.

Now, I’ve never been on a multi-day hike, but this experience gave me a taste of what I imagine it to be.

We hit all the high notes—trekking, lounging by streams, scrambling over rocks like we’re auditioning for Survivor—without the commitment of actually roughing it overnight.....or you know, actually being on Survivor.

It was just enough action to feel badass, but plenty of streamside lounging to remind you that you’re still a civilized human who enjoys a soft bed at the end of the day.

Some brave souls went for a swim, while others (not naming any names here) dunked their tracksuit tops in the water to cool off. Absolute genius, by the way.

I literally refilled my bone-dry water bottle with fresh stream water. Oh boy, I felt like such a wilderness goddess—channeling my inner nature queen. I mean, flowing water is practically nature’s Brita filter, right?

Sure, it might have been the local wildlife's Jacuzzi and possibly a public pool for other hikers, but let’s focus on the positives here. It was fresh, it was flowing, and you didn’t have to lug extra water in your pack like a hydration mule. That, my friends, is a win.

Plus, a little wilderness immunity-building never hurt anyone (okay, maybe a few people, but let's not go there). Bottom line it was clean...ish and I survived to tell the tale.

The day wrapped up perfectly, with good company and even better views.

COST - R 120

DIFFICULTY 

There were inclines, there was scrambling (yes I put my superhero cape on)...technical in parts - but do-able.

Just, you know, not for the hiker expecting a leisurely flat trail with their trekking poles.

LENGTH

Approximately 10 km. We were told it’s 5 km in and then back the same way for another 5 km. Normally, I’d feel a bit shortchanged with a route like that, but not here, you’re too busy grinning like an idiot to care about seeing the same rocks twice.

TIME 

Honestly, it's up to you. We took around 5 ½ hours, but no one should care about rushing through this trail. It’s too good to speed through.

ELEVATION -  215 m

MARKERS 

None to speak of, but that’s just how MCSA trails roll. You’ve got to embrace the adventure and make sure someone in your group is a good tracker.

HIGHLIGHTS 

The rocks and the pools.

ABLUTIONS

Good

SAFE PARKING - R 50 per vehicle

AMENITIES 

None