Mosamane: The Hike That Challenges You In a good Way

Big, Bold, and Iconic

Some hikes test your endurance. Some test your resilience.

And then there’s this hike - the full-blown overachiever, that tested endurance, resilience, competence and patience… and still had the audacity to be iconic

We had a bee sting (not mine), a tumble (also not mine), a snake sighting (again, not mine- are you sensing a theme?), and one grumpy old hag attempting a technical trail a week after twisting her ankle. That one was mine.

But minor issue.

Absolutely fine.

And honestly, I would’ve kicked myself if I’d skipped this trail. (With the good ankle, obviously.)

Stunning, exciting and rewarding trail

The trail wasted no time showing off.

Ridiculously dramatic rock faces (the Maluti mountains do not do subtle), lush forest pockets, open green spaces, technical climbs, technical declines, ladders, caves and waterfalls (that had no rain to work with - but still showed up like professionals).

Basically a hiker’s tasting menu.

And not the cheap menu. The fancy one.

A Yummy Trail

This trail wasn’t just a walk - it was an adventure.

Tough technical sections? Loads.

Medium technical? Even more.

Inclines appeared every so often, but thankfully none were out for our lives.

Truly my ideal trail—fun and technical without demanding a full cardio sacrifice.

We climbed up the longest wooden ladder I’ve ever attempted - beautifully maintained, impressively tall, and absolutely worth it for the cave at the top.

When you sit against the back wall and look out your cinematic view is an oval shape framed by the cave walls...just spectacular.

I was so busy being awestruck and spiritual and "one with nature" that I momentarily forgot something important - What goes up… must climb back down.

So down I went.

Gracefully? Absolutely not.

Heroically? Obviously.

Honestly, I’m absurdly proud of myself.

And look—I’m not saying I deserve a medal…

…but I absolutely deserve a medal.

.

There were 2 of those caves, and when we had hiked further, we looked back to see the two holes in the mountain which are known as the "Owl's Eyes".

Every cave felt like stepping into a sacred space -cool, echoey, dramatic, and absolutely silent except for the collective “wow” we muttered every time.

Owl's Eyes

We stopped at every single one because frankly, the caves demanded respect. They also demanded photos, snacks, and a few minutes of questioning our place in the universe.

These pauses transformed a 10 km hike into a six-hour adventure.

Worth every minute.

Thankfully, the trail is in top condition.

Steel poles pop up exactly where you need them - for those of us trying not to dramatically yeet ourselves down a cliff.

And honestly, if those poles weren’t there, some sections would’ve required full blown rock scaling certifications.

The last time I saw this level of thoughtful trail engineering?

Wathaba. Enough said.

Trail Markings: Present (Technically), Helpful (Not Really)

Yes, the trail was marked.

No, those markings didn’t help me.

Without our leader, I’d still be wandering in emotional (and literal) circles, possibly living in one of the owl's eyes.

10 Kilometres, 6 Hours, Not for the Faint-Hearted

By the time we staggered back to the start, we were exhausted, slightly feral, and absolutely glowing with serotonin.

The group consensus? Absolutely stunning. Ridiculously difficult. Completely worth every second.

And my ankle? Oh, that.

Let’s just say I forgot to pack hiking socks—like the seasoned outdoor professional I clearly am.

Still survived, though.

And no, I’m not even remotely sorry I powered through.

In fact, considering I was threatening to turn around and go home 24 hours earlier, because of extended travel drama (the kind only I can manufacture), I’m absurdly grateful I didn’t follow through on my theatrics.

Final Thoughts

A chaotic, deliciously technical hike full of jaw-dropping scenery, cathedral-like caves, steel-pole-assisted acrobatics, ladder heroics, and the kind of memories you can’t buy.

So to the Boksburg Hiking Club… bravo.

And to the temporary tribe brought together for the weekend, thank you for the trail magic and memories I didn’t know I needed.