Serendipity Eco Trails: Gorgeous, Grueling, and Guaranteed to Test Your Hiking Grit

Planning a Serendipity Eco Trails Camping Trip

It started with a WhatsApp from my MVHP (Most Valuable Hiking Pal), Sage: "I’m free the 9th and 10th of August. Let’s hike.”

Me: Saturday AND Sunday?? It had to be a weekend at Serendipity.

This had been on our bucket list for months (ever since we almost went there after an unfortunate Buffalo incident…a tale that’s already been told).

True to form, Sage didn’t even hesitate. She just said: “Where and when?”

Now, we might sound like a Thelma and Louise duo, but let me be clear — "a year ago me" had exactly two known habitats: home and work. That’s it. End of ecosystem. So please, keep that in mind while you picture the absolute savage gangstas we somehow morphed into this weekend.

So, one night of camping (because apparently we no longer require lengthy debates whether to camp or not, it just… happens now), was booked for R 180 each.

That price included the hiking. At that price, I was convinced there had to be a catch. There wasn’t…

The Forgotten Camping Reservation

Luckily I confirmed the booking, as the host had forgotten it.

She confirmed, said she wouldn’t be there and gave me an “emergency contact” number.

Also because the trail was tough and long, she recommended we start early and added that rescue after hours would cost extra, which was duly noted.

Arriving at Serendipity Eco Trails

Upon arrival? We did a few scenic laps of the property, pretending we knew where we were going. Eventually, we phoned the “emergency contact” number… which "did not exist".

Mild panic set in — How were we going to get hold of our pilot for the hypothetical mountain airlift rescue?

We tracked down a staff member who, despite a language barrier, was incredibly helpful.

He mentioned the emergency numbers were WhatsApp-only...a nugget of wisdom that would’ve been nice to have earlier. But, at least we could breathe again.

The Host's Behavior That Soured the Vibe

Before we even get to the trail itself, I need to address the host's behavior.

Sir. Sir. If you’re going to ask for feedback, please take a seat, unclench, and actually listen. Otherwise… don't ask.

So there we were, desperate to brew our first cup of coffee after a tough 7-hour hike, when the "emergency" host rolls up in a bakkie. He hops out, smiles, and asks, “How did you enjoy the trail?”

Sage braving one of the many icy rock pools

Me (cheerfully): “Stunning! We just got a little confused at the end.”

Not a complaint. Just a fact.

Also, I am the first to admit my navigation skills rank somewhere between “goldfish” and “malfunctioning compass.”

But instead of nodding and moving on, he locks eyes and goes, “Well, whose fault was that? Whose fault was that?” Over. And over.

At first, I assumed he was joking — you know, a little trail banter.

Nope. Dead serious.

Meanwhile, Sage was locked in mortal combat with her gas stove, In hindsight, that stove probably saved him from receiving an unfiltered, caffeine-deprived critique.

We ended the conversation before it escalated, and he stormed off in a huff that would make any toddler proud.

Had he stuck around, here’s what I would have told him about his trail…

Hiking the 13 km Serendipity Eco Trails Route

This trail? Absolutely stunning.

• Rock pools galore — you’re alongside water for most of the hike.

• Open grassy plains with endless views.

• Yummy rock scrambling sections.

• Inclines, with one brutally steep one near the end that will humble you.

  
  

The trail is well-marked, with metal poles painted white for visibility — a lifesaver when grass is long.

Cows, Baboons, and Other Unscheduled Encounters

Okay, okay… not as dangerous as it sounds — but for city folk, everything with fur and a stare-down feels like a threat.

At one point, three gorgeous cows stood right in the middle of the trail, looking at us like, “You shall not pass.”

So we detoured slightly, because clearly, they were in charge.

A little later, we heard baboons. At first, distant. Not that unusual. Then the noise got much closer.

In my head, an entire baboon battalion was charging down the mountain toward us at full speed. We spun around to… run where, exactly? Back to the cows? We turned back and we power-walked away, pretending we weren’t scared. (We were. Very.)

Serendipity Eco Trails Hike Difficulty and Trail Details

AREA

Tierkloof

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Definitely not for newbies.

Some tough inclines and fairly technical most of the way.

TRAIL LENGTH

13 km

TRAIL MARKERS 

Marked like a dream — we navigated them like absolute bosses… except for that one section we won’t discuss.

You know, the part that was 100% on us and 0% on the poles.

Move along, nothing to see here.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS 

Varied, scenic and challenging.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Summer would be scorching in the open sections, but with rains, the trail would transform into an absolute masterpiece.

Tell me you are not terrified??

AMENITIES

Campsites, ablutions, safe parking, other accommodation options.

WILDLIFE?

Of course - cows with bouncer energy, unseen baboons and unimpressed buck.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

Yes

NOTE TO SELF

Next time, bring:

A portable GPS

Cow diplomacy skills

And a T-shirt that says “Yes, I got lost. No, it’s not YOUR fault.”

Final Verdict on Serendipity Eco Trails

If you’re after a challenging hiking trail a couple hours outside of Johannesburg with incredible scenery, Serendipity delivers.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO