Thaba Trails: Returning to a Trail I Actively Hated

So, about this trail - the one I swore I would never do again.

The last time I tackled it, it was one of the hottest days of the year. Long. Dry. Relentless.

The trail just kept going - fueled by my misery.

There was water-sharing.

Cooling towels.

People checking whether everyone was still alive.

By the end, I had concluded the trail had not been worth a single second of my suffering - case closed.

Facebook Photos

A few months ago, photos of the trail started appearing on Facebook.

Apparently it now had wildlife.

Trees.

Scenic views.

Interesting landscapes.

This was deeply suspicious - the trail I remembered offered only heatstroke and regret.

There was simply no way these photos were from the same place.

Around the same time, my son Pepper and I had done a hike nearby and ended up having breakfast at the charming on site restaurant "Just Darling" afterwards.

Somewhere between the coffee and enough carbs to feed a small village, I got that annoying feeling that the universe was trying to tell me something.

Personally, I'd prefer the universe communicate through winning lottery numbers - but apparently hiking trails are its chosen medium.

A Different Trail

I spoke to a couple of hiking friends who had informed me that the trail wasn't the same trail anymore.

Excuse me?

Apparently, while I had been busy holding a grudge, the trail had changed.

The audacity.

So naturally there was only one logical course of action - organise a group hike and investigate.

Our original date clashed with an event at the venue, so we reluctantly demonstrated maturity and postponed.

The Crew

The group consisted of Her, S & M, two of their hiking buddies, and E - a solid crew.

A Hike That Completely Redeemed Itself

We started early on one of the colder winter mornings of the season.

To be fair, winter, summer, spring or autumn - early starts are the unavoidable tax you pay when hiking with me.

But a frosty winter morning?

Absolute magic.

Give me frozen fingers over heatstroke anytime.

The cooler weather definitely helped, but it wasn't that- this wasn't a slightly improved version of the trail - this was a completely different trail.

Even if we'd tackled it on another scorching summer day, I think this version of the trail would still have been worth it.

Last time the suffering felt pointless - this time it felt earned.

The Facebook photos, irritatingly, were accurate.

There was actual wildlife.

Who knew?

We also encountered beautiful, majestic trees throughout the route - last time I think I noticed about ten trees in total, probably because I was too busy trying not to melt into the landscape.

The trail now delivers everything you'd want from a good hike: climbs, descents, varied terrain, great scenery and enough interest to keep things engaging from start to finish.

In short, it was awesome.

Closure

I finally got closure - this trail and I had unfinished business, and after this hike I can officially retire the grudge.

Also, thanks to M, we completed the route from start to finish.

Without someone who actually knew where they were going, I would have wandered off, discovered a shortcut that wasn't a shortcut, and accidentally pioneered an entirely new trail system.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Alberton

COST

R 60

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Not exactly a walk in the park, but also not soul-destroying.

Most reasonably fit humans and regular hikers should manage it just fine.

TRAIL LENGTH

We did 10 km, but there are other options.

TRAIL MARKERS

Well marked - for normal people.

I had M.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

For those of us usually driving halfway across Gauteng to find a decent trail, this is refreshingly convenient.

It's smack bang in suburbia, yet somehow feels like you've escaped it entirely.

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

There's a fair amount of shade, but summer is still summer - bring water.

Bring salt.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

They have a lot, including bike trails and the delightful Just Darling for the post hike feast.

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Yes.

Actual wildlife - not Facebook wildlife.

NOTE TO SELF

When the universe calls, assume it’s good news.

Best case - growth.

Worst case - cardio..

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

No - although there is apparently a dog-friendly area elsewhere on the property.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

Absolutely solo-able - for other people.

Competent people.

I am not competent people - which is why I travel with people like M.

.