High 5 Hiking Trail – Day Two: Welcome to Hell’s Bells.

So, Day two of The High 5 Hiking Trail group weekend. We were presented with options — three trails - Hell’s Bells (8 km of “moderately insane”), Klipspringer (a 5.3 km), and one unbothered 4 km stroll for those who came for vibes.

Naturally, I went with Hell’s Bells — because, I mean, honestly, who looks at a name like that and doesn’t pick it?

It was tough. It was technical. But it was totally manageable thanks to the fact that our gracious leader was setting the pace — calm, deliberate, and entirely unbothered by anyone’s sense of urgency. Honestly, it was perfect. No racing, no pressure,  just trail therapy, good company and mild respiratory distress.

The first stretch? All steep downhills and rocky scrambles. And as any seasoned hiker knows, what goes down must absolutely go back up... usually with interest, pain, and a few regrets. Guaranteed.

But wow, the scenery. Waterfalls. Secret forest paths winding through gorges. And those iconic rolling hills that this region just casually tosses into the background like it’s no big deal. They literally look like someone smeared pastel crayons across the horizon.

It’s the kind of view that doesn’t just catch your eye — it settles something inside you. Quiet. Uncomplicated. Still.

Then came "The Bridge". At some point, we had to cross a bridge that... how do I put this delicately? It needed a little TLC. Maybe a hug.

Look, I’m not in the business of trail-shaming — but I am in the business of brutal honesty And sure, speaking your truth doesn’t always make you popular…  but it’s not like I’ve ever been voted “Miss Congeniality of the Mountain,” anyway.

A few brave souls crossed the bridge. I was still in the “assess structural integrity and mentally draft my will” phase when — mid-crossing — a few wooden slats snapped clean through and dropped straight to the rocks below. You know, just casually fell off, like they had better places to be.

Thankfully, there were ropes on either side, and the hiker that was crossing grabbed them like a total pro, narrowly avoiding what could’ve been a very painful or serious three meter fall onto rocks. No serious injuries — but it was way too close for comfort.

After that, some of the group decided to walk across the frame like a tightrope. Personally, I would’ve started a new life in that gorge before I stepped on that thing.

Luckily, we found a technical workaround, which I gladly took. Did I look graceful doing it? Absolutely not. Did I survive? Yes. And that’s the bar now.

This was after "The Ladders" — which, up to that point, I was still willing to excuse as part of the trail’s “rustic charm.” You know, those charmingly sketchy wooden ladders that looked like they were held together by hopes and dreams.

Some of us tried one, and unanimously opted for the tried-and-tested bum-slide–scramble combo for the rest.

Final thoughts? An absolutely stunning trail with all the right ingredients: jaw-dropping views, peaceful forest magic, solid physical challenge, waterfalls, and just enough danger to awaken your inner gangsta.

Here’s hoping someone shows this place the maintenance love it needs. Until then — High 5, you chaotic, beautiful mess. Never change. (Actually, no — please do. Fix the bridge stat...And while you're at it, maybe show those ladders a little TLC too).

RATING

AREA - Mpumalanga

DIFFICULTY 

I actually found the inclines surprisingly manageable — mainly because they were technical. And weirdly, that works for me. Give me scrambling over soul-crushing uphill slogs any day. With technical climbs, at least you get excuses to stop, breathe, and pretend you’re “strategizing.”

LENGTH 

8 km (Hell’s Bells trail)

TIME 

4 hours give or take.

MARKERS 

No idea. We were blissfully following our fearless leader like obedient trail sheep and didn’t even bother looking. Could’ve been excellent. Could’ve been nonexistent. Ignorance was bliss.

HIGHLIGHTS 

Waterfalls, gorge forests, rolling pastel hills, and adrenaline-fueled bonding over dodgy ladders and collapsing bridges.

NOTE TO SELF

Trust your gut. If a bridge looks like it’s one sigh away from collapse, maybe don’t.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Stunning trail. And for the young, fearless, and still-invincible crowd, it might feel perfectly safe.

But if it wants to keep its “High 5” status among newer or slightly more mature hikers, it needs a little less chaos and a little more care.

Still totally worth it — just maybe pack a helmet... and a sense of humor.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

Absolutely (NO)SOLO