Hedianga Farm - More Inclines (and Less Shade) Than Expected

So today was the day I finally got around to ticking Hedianga Farm off my list.

When I hear the word farm these days, I automatically envision something flat and scenic. But I distinctly remember reading that Hedianga was not flat. So I kept it aside for a "not flat" hiking partner....enter Pepper.

They open at 6 a.m, which I love. Not that it mattered, because I was with my "not a morning person". Let’s just say early starts aren’t his strong suit. We rolled in at 7:30, and even in winter, that’s too late for my liking.

When my GPS said "turn right," I obediently followed... into a townhouse complex.....in the middle of Pretoria. I stopped, realized it meant the other right (cue eye roll), and after a quick U-turn,

found myself on a sand road that, magically, led to a farm... literally a farm,..right in the heart of suburbia. Go figure!"

There’s probably a fascinating backstory to this, but, like in school, I’m not about to research it. Maybe someone who enjoys digging into such things will enlighten me. Fingers crossed.

As we pulled up, I reassured myself (and Pepper) that the place looked pretty mild. I was clearly trying to convince myself that a nice, easy walk wouldn’t be the end of the world for a change.

We chose the 10 km trail, and in my best polite but slightly condescending voice, I asked the guy at the gate if there were any inclines. His response? “Yes, some.” Oh, some? How precious. I assumed his idea of "inclines" was probably closer to speed bumps.

Well I was knocked over by a feather—because there were inclines aplenty. Sure, it wasn't the most grueling hike I've ever done, but it definitely packed more of a punch than I had bargained for.

Oh, and that thing I thought I read about the trail being shaded for hot days? Yeah, no. Either I hallucinated that, or it’s definitely not this trail.

Still, despite the heat and the surprise cardio session, it was a beautiful trail. Dry? Yep. Rocky? Absolutely. Technical? Not really, but those inclines will get your heart rate up for sure.

RATING

Area: Pretoria

Cost: R 65 (cash only)

Difficulty 

I’d rate it difficult....for me. Thanks to the relentless inclines, the scorching heat… oh, and my below-average oxygen levels. Let’s not forget the tarnished lungs. But hey, if you’re incline-proof and breathe like a gazelle, it definitely should be rated easy-ish for you.

Length 

5, 10, or 15 km options—we went with 10 km

Time: 3 hours

Elevation 

123 m according to Google, but it felt like a casual stroll up a skyscraper. So either Google’s lying, or the heat turned me into a drama queen.

Markers: Excellent

Highlights: The rocks

Ablutions: Clean but primitive. There are places where that’s to be expected—this wasn’t one of them. (Answer might be in the back story though).

Parking: Safe and free.

Final Note 

Super dog-friendly, which gets a big thumbs up from me (even though I am dogless)

If you're looking for a decent hike without having to drive forever, Hedianga Farm is a solid choice.

Note to self

Will you ever stop judging a book by its cover?