Mansfield Reserve Hike: Less About the Trail, More About the People

So this hike was not so much about jaw-dropping views as it was about the humans—me, Pepper, my niece (henceforth known as Turmeric), and two of my fabulous Facebook followers @ For the love of nature. Oh, and nature, obviously. Can’t forget nature... it’d get offended.

When arriving in Port Alfred, I had asked the guest house owner about trails, and before I knew it, her daughter and fiancé—seasoned hikers—offered to take us on the trail. Wow...this hiking community...it just never stops amazing me.

Pepper and I were in Port Alfred because, after a millennium of promises, I finally visited Turmeric.

Why the name Turmeric? Well, she’s all about that grounded, Zen energy—totally earthy, totally a healer. I mean, Rainbow Wisdom is literally her brand.

Honestly, she’s like a slightly upgraded version of me. Of all the family members, we’re the two most steeped in self-help but she comes with a side of kumbaya vibes.....something I lack...completely!!

When I asked her if she wanted electrolytes in her water—my homemade ones, of course, because I don’t half-ass hydration. Her response? “I put spearmint in my water.” Yep, the family resemblance is strong with this one. 

Turmeric wasn't a seasoned hiker, so I was slightly concerned about not knowing anything about the trail. But best believe she was a trooper.

Before we started, my followers—well, technically they were the leaders, but let’s not get bogged down in details—asked, “Are you the Hiking Hag?” Um, yes. Please, continue fueling my delusion that I’m the Taylor Swift of hiking bloggers. Next mission: writing breakup songs about failed hikes.

We set off under the Eastern Cape sun (read: furnace). The hike itself? Solid, but not wow. Think more Gauteng-y than Eastern Cape. To be fair, we’d been so spoiled by some absolutely incredible hikes earlier, so maybe our expectations were set a bit too high.

The trail had all the ingredients for an outdoor adventure: water, bush and some wildlife. On paper, it was the perfect recipe for a memorable hike.

Yet, somehow the real highlights were the humans.

Turmeric, ever the healer, brought her kumbaya energy but neglected to pack a plaster. Our hiking buddies, magically produced a blister plaster. Not just any plaster—a specialized blister one.

Who even are these people, and can I keep them forever? My blog readers are apparently next-level prepared—take notes, everyone.

The thing is, trails are trails—they’ll always serve up a mix of beauty and brutal reminders that you're not as fit as you thought. But it’s the people you share them with that make them unforgettable.

This wasn’t just a hike; it was proof that the hiking community only needs a trail and a chance to walk beside you, and suddenly, it’s like you’ve known each other for years.

And if there’s water, bush, and wildlife thrown in for good measure? Well, that is just the cherry on top.

RATING

AREA: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape

COST: R 50

DIFFICULTY

Harder because of the heat, and that sneaky incline toward the end that smacked us upside the head made this tougher for me....and my beautiful Turmeric,

LENGTH: 7.26 km

TIME: 

2 hours (again, that heat)

ELEVATION: Not flat.

MARKERS

Clear, thanks to our local experts

HIGHLIGHTS

A solid trail that even gave Turmeric a chance to take a refreshing dip in the water, some interesting and unique creatures along the way and a chance to connect with fellow hikers.

ABLUTIONS - Yes.

SAFE FREE PARKING

FUN FACT 

Turmeric gave me a crash course on "hag stones" - rocks with naturally occurring holes in them, supposedly brimming with magical vibes. According to Turmeric—and Google, because you know I had to copy-paste this part (thanks ADHD)—they’re said to "absorb and reflect the energy around them, making them a powerful tool for protection and spiritual growth".

Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Me? Spiritual growth? But Turmeric didn’t just explain them; she actually brought some of her collection to show me. And as I held one, it hit me—I'm a literal Hiking Hag holding a hag stone. Destiny? Probably. Cosmic coincidence? Let’s go with that.

Of course, I made a big deal about it, while Turmeric rolled her eyes in that affectionate way, but deep down, I think she was proud of my newfound mystical knowledge. Or maybe she was just amused by my enthusiasm. Either way, I’m counting this as a spiritual win.

On a final note, this is the final blog I’ll be posting on Small Town South Africa Facebook page. My road trip is over, and I’m back to the grind of hiking in and around Gauteng. Lovely places, sure, but let’s face it—they’re not exactly the quirky, small-town gems that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard.

That said, I’ll still be here, lurking, admiring all your stunning photos, and nursing some next-level jealousy.

This group has been absolutely incredible—the comments, the interactions, the vibes! Honestly, I need to aim for another road trip to hit more small towns just so I can earn my place back here.

Until then, happy hiking, and thanks for letting me crash your feeds with my snarky ramblings!