(Revisiting) The Hennops Hiking Trail

Recently, I had Pepper as my trusty hiking companion. Now, despite his spicy name, Pepper is a creature of habit. Ask him where we should go hiking, and the answer is always Modderfontein or Hennops. Exciting, right? NOT!!

The Hennops Hiking Trail has become my Modderfontein, just further away. In other words... boring and monotonous. But, like with Modderfontein, I had this itch to tackle the 10 km trail. I needed to see if this longer hike was the reason people kept coming back for more.

The price tag? A cool R 100. Compared to other trails, this felt like a bit of a rip-off. But by the end of the 5 km trail, I usually managed to hike off my irritation.

Anyway, from the start, I could see this was going to be waaaay different from the 5 km hike. We saw some amazing trees as we started. Then, we followed the river and walked along it for quite some time.

With the 5 km hike, you cross over the bridge, and there goes the river... alright, adios! Don't let the door hit you on the way out—or do, whatever floats your boat... are there even boats?? Of course not!!

This was way nicer as you walk along the river bank much longer. The sound of running water always brings my Type A personality a much-needed zen.

After we left the river, we hit an incline and stumbled upon the most beautiful little selection of rocks. The view from there was amazing. I wanted to snap a picture, but Hennops, being one of the busier hikes (clearly, that R 100 isn’t scaring people away), meant that every rock had a bum on it. You know, belonging to... humans!! So, I skipped the Kodak moment, and Pepper and I moved on.

Pepper, of course, was basking in my ongoing raves about the trail.

We had clashed about Hennops before, and he finally felt validated.

Honestly, Salt and I have done oodles of more spectacular hikes, but I could tell Pepper was getting a bit miffed hearing about them. So, I kept that tidbit to myself.

But I was genuinely impressed. The landscape was so much more diverse than the 5 km, and it was the kind of scenery I adore. Yes, there were inclines, but these were rocky and required, if not my superhero cape, at least my mask. There were signs (two to be precise) that warned you of the difficulty ahead and gave you a chance to 'escape.' Now, who exactly are these warnings for?

I paused to read the sign, only to be nudged forward by Pepper. "Wait, it might be too difficult," I said. "Ha, for you? Don’t be silly," he retorted impatiently.

I couldn’t help but think how Salt would have reacted. He’d have said, "If you don’t want to go on, Mom, we can turn back."

I spent the next half hour pondering which response I preferred.

Back to the hike. That sign? Totally not for me (damn, Pepper was right), and the trail was very enjoyable. Just the right amount of challenge.

Eventually, as with most longer hikes, we hit some open, flat spaces. These are the kinds of areas I avoid like the plague in summer, but being winter, I felt minimal pain and suffering.

In the end, the 10 km trail did add the variety and challenge the 5 km route lacks.

Sure, it’s pricey, but I guess Hennops might actually be worth it.

Here’s to hoping Pepper and I find a middle ground in our hiking adventures, and maybe, just maybe, find a less crowded rock to sit on next time.

My Hiking Hag Ratings: Numbers with a Lot of Explanation

AREA - Work with me people........

COST - People.......read the words!!!

DIFFICULTY - MODERATE

LENGTH - 11.4 km.

TIME TAKEN - 3 1/2 HOURS.

This was due to taking it slow for some of the more challenging inclines and declines....oh, and to take it all in.

ELEVATION - 364 m.

The landscape didn’t make it seem all that strenuous since you had to take the ascents a little slower... love it!

MARKERS - The trail was extremely well marked. Plus, there were two chances to be a wimp and opt out. Gotta appreciate that, because sometimes when you're in too deep, there's no turning back.

AMENITIES - There are a lot, but for the trail itself there is a canteen. There is place to sit and have a ......something I suppose, but jam packed and a little run down.

In the big scheme of things though,,,,,,we were there to hike, not have high tea, and hike we did!!

FINAL NOTE - But honestly, for the price, those toilets... seriously disappointing.