Hennops Hiking Trail: No Longer The "Go To Trail"

Hiking With Youth

So, to those who can relate..the “older” hikers.....the ones who genuinely believe we are iconic because we climb mountains on weekends like we’re extreme sports athletes instead of people with ageing joints.

Yes. You.

Imagine hiking with two under-30, effortlessly fabulous women.

Girls, really. Hmmmph.

Also - and this is important - not hikers.

When You’re Dying, They’re … Existing

Let’s be clear:

It’s not that you can’t keep up.

It’s worse than that.

You’re dripping with sweat like a broken tap. .

You’re heaving because oxygen has apparently been discontinued.

Cancelled. Out of stock.

Your face is purple. Not “cute flushed”. Medical emergency purple.

Your hair is soaked.

And right next to you?

Two girls.

Dry. Unbothered. Thriving.

Not a single huff.

Not even a sympathy wheeze for morale.

They look like they could finish the hike, change shoes, and still make dinner reservations.

It’s offensive, honestly.

Sure, you might climb the mountain - but they float up it.

Spice Free Cast

These two annoyingly fresh humans are old school friends of my sons, Salt and Pepper.

And where were Salt and Pepper?

Not up at sunrise. Not anywhere near the trail.

Apparently, early mornings are against their personal brand.

I wasn’t sure what the girls’ hiking preferences were. I mean, when you’re that age you CAN climb Everest… but do you actually want to?

Choosing Hennops

So I chose Hennops, the go-to hike for Gautengers.

Done by so many - including me.

A few times.

I’d done the 5km route with Salt, plenty of times - moderate, familiar, not overwhelming.

I’d even done the 10km once with Pepper… although in retrospect, we may have taken detours, short cuts even.

Also I kept seeing photos of a cave at Hennops.

Excuse me?

I’ve been there plenty and somehow missed an entire geological feature.

After interrogating people who clearly pay more attention than I do, I finally got the low-down.

So I had to return.

I needed to see this elusive cave with my own sweaty eyes.

Oh — and it also seemed like a nice, moderate hike for the girls.

It was not.

A New Respect for the 10km Trail

On arrival, we were informed that - thanks to rain (again, always rain) - one bridge had been washed away and a detour was required.

But the cave?

Still accessible.

Great!

Now listen…Hennops, I owe you an apology.

Specifically to the 10km trail.

I thought we had an understanding.

A mutual respect.

A “this will be fine” agreement.

We did not.

Ups.

Downs.

Technical bits.

Mud.(Lately it’s always the bloody mud. Why is it never just dirt anymore?)

So let me formally retract my earlier confidence.

You are officially a proper trail.

Congratulations.

I am offended.

The Cave

The cave was exactly where I’d been told - by a lookout point over the river.....down the tyre ladder.

I announced that I was going.

I told the girls they were welcome to wait.

They declined and followed.

I gangstered my way down those tyres.

Very slowly.

Painfully carefully.

With absolutely no dignity whatsoever.

At one point I’m pretty sure I became part of the tyres.

I’m pretty sure I impressed them with my old-lady skills.

Of course, they followed in less than half the time… but listen.

A win is a win.

Also, totally off the record: my thighs—apparently the only part of my body that’s been doing absolutely no work for the past year—were shocked by the sudden responsibility.

Recovery was… reflective.

Was the cave the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen? No.

But I saw it.

And that’s what matters.

No Shortcuts, No Regrets

Climbing back up was less terrifying (praise be), and we continued on the detour.

Another bridge, out by the picnic and pool area, quick break.

Then back onto the trail.

From there it’s mostly open, which means the remaining 7 km are hot. Aggressively hot.

There were shortcut options.

There were warning signs.

There were sensible exits.

Clear invitations to stop being a hero.

But we don’t roll like that.

We roll forward.

Sweaty.

Stubborn.

And deeply committed to finishing what we very confidently started.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Hennops

COST

R 100

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

I won’t lie — it was tough.

It was hot.

It was humbling.

Hennops… who bloody knew??

TRAIL LENGTH

10 km, but there are shorter options.

TRAIL MARKERS

Surprisingly great

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

It was an adventure

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

If it's hot, pack plenty water and salt

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

There is a tuck shop

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Nothing. Unless you count the cute cows at the very end.

NOTE TO SELF

You are vintage.

You are melting.

You look like a cautionary tale on a trail.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

No

ON A FINAL NOTE

There are different trails, but the 10km is genuinely challenging. Escape routes exist - use them if you’re smarter than me.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO