Shaded Hikes and Rock Pools - A Totally Unqualified Hiking Guide

Once upon a time, I found a magical list on Facebook of shaded hikes, courtesy of an anonymous genius who saved my life when summer started. If you're reading this, thank you, you angelic creature. You handed me a lifeline when my skin was about to spontaneously combust under the sun. Naturally I saved that list and treasured it like the holy grail. Fast forward to summer, and that list became a golden ticket to blissful, shady hiking goodness.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. That list is now finished. Sigh... Dammit.

So, because I’m all about sharing the love (or is it really just sharing my pain?), I decided to put together my own list of hikes I’ve done. Let’s manage expectations right now—this isn’t the next big thing in hiking guides. It’s just my personal take on the trails I’ve stumbled through.

I am not a spring chicken. I despise inclines and I am not even remotely fit..

So, what you’re about to read is not an expert guide, a fitness challenge, or a motivational manifesto. It’s just my lived experience. Read on, and prepare to feel superior.

Shaded Trails

( "I-Can’t-Believe-There’s-So-Much-Sun-But-Oh-Wait-There’s-Shade Trail" )

Die Bosveld – partially

Avianto - partially

Wolwespruit – mostly

Moreleta - partially

King’s Kloof - partially

Big Red Barn – mostly

Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (the shaded route)

Tierpoort Adventure Farm – mostly

Hazeldean Valley Hike (8km) - partially

Forestiva farm (some routes) – mostly

Flat Trails

(either "completely flat", or "Didn’t-Realize-I-Was-Actually-Doing-Cardio-Trail")

Rosemary Hill Farm – completely

Rietvlei Nature Reserve – completely (guided by Bradden Hiking Stevens)

Avianto – completely

Wolwespruit – completely

Moreleta – completely

King’s Kloof – completely

Big Red Barn – completely

Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (the shaded route) – completely

Tierpoort Adventure Farm – completely

Hazeldean Valley Hike (8km) – completely

Modderfontein (5 km) – completely

Trails That Are Not Flat

(“Forget-Your-Name-By-The-End-But-Made-It-Out-Alive-Trail” but also "Increased-My-Heart-Rate-A-Bit-Trail")

Piesangskloof

Muningi Gorge

Groenkloof

Suikerbosrand

Hennops

Rietvlei Zoo Farm

B’sorah

Milorho

Rustenburg Kloof Trails

The Dome Pools (MCSA)

Grootkloof  (MCSA)

Klipriviersberg

Die Bosveld

Hoogland

Cradle Moon

Hedianga Farm

Thaba Trails

Nadia’s Peak

Cave to Cableway

Forestiva farm

Easterkloof

Glenburn

Tuin Van Eden

Mule Trail

Eagle Cove

The Old Mill – Happy Acres

More Than Slightly Technical

(If-You-Have-To-Ask-Don't-Go-Trail")

Piesangskloof

B’sorah

Muningi Gorge

Milorho

Rustenburg Kloof Trails

The Dome Pools (MCSA)

Grootkloof  (MCSA)

Grootkloof  (MCSA)

Hoogland

Nadia’s Peak

Cave to Cableway

Easterkloof

Eagle Cove

Rock pools

("You-Can-Drink From-Them-AND Swim-In-Them Trails")

Piesangskloof

B’sorah

Milorho

Rustenburg Kloof Trails

The Dome Pools (MCSA)

Grootkloof  (MCSA)

Easterkloof

Eagle Cove

A Few Ground Rules:

• Google the finer details of these hikes, okay?

• This is MY experience. Trails may vary in length, difficulty, and tree coverage.

• I did the hikes. I’m not telling you how to do them. Figure it out, fellow adventurer.

• If you have any hikes to add to my modest little collection, please let me know.. SHARE IT. I’ll try it, and then I’ll add it to the list.

• The goal here is not perfection. It’s about making a guide that works for people like me—average folks who just want to enjoy nature without feeling like they’ve joined a Navy SEAL training camp. So go ahead, correct me. Disagree with me. Add your two cents. I might even listen.