Kosmos Beacon Trail: Harties, We Need to Talk (Again)

So, I recently said I’d give Hartbeespoort a break. Just a little break. Maybe see other places, you know?

But, there I was… again… for the second day in a row.

Sure, I took the tunnel this time — the last time I went through it was approximately 1892 (give or take a century), so technically it was a new experience.

But Harties is stubborn, and apparently, so am I. So we continue this toxic love story.

This was the Kosmos Beacon Trail . This hike was with the Centurion Hiking Club— guided by Esti...yes, the same Esti as I had hiked with the previous day.

It had not made my list, but most of Esti’s hikes don"t. She doesn’t follow trails — she either meticulously manufactures them from GPS breadcrumbs. or re-engineers existing ones.

The trail started at a Wimpy at a petrol station, because it was the safer place to leave our cars.

While getting briefed in the parking lot — vultures. Yes, actual vultures, just circling lazily above like they had nowhere better to be.

Those very ones that I have climbed many mountains in search of, and here they were… hovering.... over the garage, mocking me from the skies.

I see you, beady-eyed lurkers. I know exactly what you’re up to.

Lawrence — resident Centurion Hiking Club legend and designated trail sweeper — handled the back of the pack like an absolute pro.

Now, let’s talk about me and hiking poles. I don’t do them. I have my reasons — which, no doubt, will absolutely be unpacked in a future post filled with unnecessary drama and exaggerated logic — but for now, just know: it's a firm no.

That hasn’t stopped Esti and Lawrence from launching a full-scale intervention  to get me to use them...for a while now. I, naturally, have resisted like a disobedient schoolchild in full “you’re not my real mom” energy.

Esti had warned me the day before: “Bring poles. The gravel is loose from the motorbikes riding the trail.” Did I listen? Of course not.

The incline at the start wasn’t that steep — but deceptively innocent. Those loose stones? Absolute traitors. One distracted step and boom.

And me, being the only one without poles, was basically gift-wrapping the “I told you so” opportunity, and handing it to Esti and Lawrence with a bow made of pride, denial, and trail dust.

But, Lawrence stayed cool as a cucumber. I could practically hear him saying to himself: “This stubborn, pole-hating gremlin is delaying me, the group, and potentially all of humanity” But did he complain? Nope. Just walked behind me with the patience of a monk and the quiet understanding of someone who has accepted his fate.

He even offered me his poles. Again. Gently. With the quiet optimism of a man who still believes this might be the moment he finally breaks my spirit. Cute.

Honestly, someone give that man a medal. Or better yet — name a pole after him.The Lawrence 3000: For When You’re Babysitting Stubborn Trail Trolls.

The trail itself? Definitely not your casual Sunday stroll. There were inclines, and every step required full focus — because if you didn’t choose where your foot went, the rocks were more than happy to decide for you.

But the views? Stunning. A fresh angle — the other side of Nadia’s Peak and the extended mountain family. And honestly? That view alone made betraying my “no Harties this weekend” pact totally worth it. Again.

The mountains in the background looked 100% like a backdrop painted with watercolors. Each one had its own perfectly graduated, slightly blurred, totally distinct shade.

And the peace? Ridiculous. It’s that rare, quiet kind of awe that only finds you when you’re high above it all — face to face with a horizon that doesn’t say a word, but somehow tells you everything you need to hear.

We took our breaks, soaked it all in, and let the trail do what trails do best.

Honestly? I love me some hikers. Just solid, salt-of-the-earth humans who somehow always show up.

So — thank you, Centurion Hiking Club. And thank you, Esti, for yet another stunning trail I didn’t know I needed.

Harties… I guess we’re not done yet. Again.

RATING

AREA - Really??

COST - Free

DIFFICULTY 

Those loose stones will humble you, and yes, you’ll hand over a good chunk of your lung capacity to the mountain gods… but somehow, it still feels like a fair trade.

LENGTH - 10 km

TIME 

Roughly 4 hours, if you stop to stare at the painted mountains (which you will).

MARKERS 

None. You might get lost... or just take an Esti. Problem solved.

HIGHLIGHTS 

The views, of course — always the views. Oh...and the quiet magic

Also .... reconnecting with people who drift in and out of your life, only to casually reappear on a trail like they never left. Hiking’s sneaky like that.

While you’re busy watching your footing, real connection just... happens. No fanfare. No effort. Just there.

ABLUTIONS

Trees and boulders. Plenty of them. Pick your poison.

SAFE FREE PARKING

Thanks Wimpy

AMENITIES 

Thanks Wimpy

NOTE TO SELF

Bring poles next time. Just do it.

(I won’t though. Let’s not pretend.)

ON A FINAL NOTE

Will I be back in Harties soon? Yes.

Am I still pretending I’m “taking a break” from Harties? Also yes.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

NO(SOLO)