Thabela Thabeng: Lost (Again), Saved (Again), and Totally Coming Back for More

jeeksparties8
Nov 13
3 min read

So, for our Sunday in Parys, Cinnamon and I were going to hike Thabela Thabeng - Another one on my “hike it before I die” list.

Having slept over nearby on the Saturday night, we were down the road.

Google said they only opened at 8 a.m, but we called and sweet-talked our way into a 7 a.m. start.

Early birds and all that.

We did hit yet another sand road, but dusty roads are basically part of the lifestyle now.

Thabela Thabeng: What. A. Gem.

Six different trails to choose from. Six!

My future self has already RSVP’d for a full return tour. This place is hiker heaven.

We settled on the Dome View Trail, A two hour route. Perfect for what we needed, as we still wanted some time in Parys before heading home.

As we started, there was the unmistakable sound of baboons losing their collective minds somewhere nearby.

I’ve never heard of hikers being mauled by baboons, but I also wasn’t looking to be the headline that changed that.

Cinnamon looked mildly terrified; I pretended not to notice while mentally calculating my downhill sprint speed just in case.

The calls eventually faded, and the drama was forgotten.

It was everything you want in a short hike: steep climbs and big views,

Somewhere along the way, we bushwhacked over a fallen tree (gangsta style, obviously) and stumbled upon a cave so impressive it deserves its own postal code.

Lost Again

It would have been a perfect little two hour hike… if we hadn’t gotten lost.

Again.

At the very end.

Again.

That’s two days in a row of almost finishing strong before taking an accidental detour straight into Narnia.

We were descending with the confidence of people who clearly thought they knew what they were doing, when Cinnamon mentioned that the route down is different, because she didn’t remember climbing anything that steep.

And then, a gate.

No sign, no trail, just a just a lone metal barrier sitting there like it was guarding the secrets of middle earth.

So, we slogged back up the very incline Cinnamon had just declared unclimbable (it was climbable) - to see where we’d gone wrong.

Only to follow the arrow back down again… and land right back at the same gate.

At that point, our only options were to hurdle it or shimmy through the bars.

A tiny sign reading “Yes, this ridiculous step is part of the trail” would’ve been deeply appreciated.

The River That Became an Ocean

Back on track, we found a “river” crossing the road — or maybe a really ambitious puddle - but let’s not split hairs.

While we debated (again) whether we’d gone rogue, a bakkie pulled up - our knight in shining steel. We asked for directions; he pointed. We asked for a lift; he obliged.

And before anyone gets judgy — yes, we absolutely climbed on the back of that bakkie. After the extra uphill misadventure, we’d earned that ride.

Consider it trail karma — or divine intervention with a diesel engine (and sore tailbone).

Second day, second rescue. The weekend MVP?

Random bakkie drivers of the Free State.

Even with our accidental detour, the trail was a total win.

Short, punchy, and scenic

Was it as scenic as the previous day's trail? No.

Was it exactly what we needed? Absolutely.

And don’t count me out - I’ll be back. There are five more trails with my name on them.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Vredefort Dome, Parys

COST

R 75

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Steep and some technical. Not torture

TRAIL LENGTH

Approx 4 km, 5 if you're us.

TRAIL MARKERS

Let’s just say… trail markers and I have trust issues now.

I’ll save the full rant for a future post.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Peaceful atmosphere, cave and peaceful views

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Mostly open… so yes, bring water. And ofcourse salt.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Amenities: Accommodation, hiking, biking, fishing, abseiling, tubing — and apparently, impromptu hitchhiking.

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Apparently - especially the vocal kind.

NOTE TO SELF

Baboons are loud, but not murderous. Probably.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

ON A FINAL NOTE

This trail is perfect if you’re after a solid hike without committing to a full-day expedition.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO