The Big Red Barn:Hiking Solo For the Fourth Time

One moment, I was tying my laces of my hiking boots, mentally preparing for The Smuts House Museum Trail (which had been waiting patiently for its moment in the sun). The next? Ping! One message later, and I was standing there, staring at my phone, watching my plans go up in flames.

Oh, the betrayal. The audacity. The absolute disrespect.

The new me? I adapt. I problem-solve.

A quick skim through my “been there, might try it solo “ list, and boom—Big Red Barn it was.

Granted, not the most thrilling option, but it was flat, foolproof, and impossible to get lost on. I went solo. Again. For the fourth time.

Solo hiking—once an unthinkable concept—has now become my default setting. It’s almost funny how much hiking has rewired my brain. My old comfort zone? I don’t even recognize her anymore.

Now, before you clutch your Rolex watches and launch into a cautionary tale about the dangers of solo hiking in this country (because I know at least one of you is tempted), let’s clear the air: Yes, I’m aware of the risks. No, I’m not an oblivious idiot wandering off into the wilderness without a clue. I’m just someone who refuses to let paranoia or fear mongering headlines dictate my life.

Some trails are safer than others, and honestly, there are places where you’re probably safer hiking on a busy Saturday morning than sitting at home… well, clutching your Rolex watches. So let’s all breathe.

That said, I like to stick to familiar trails when I’m hiking alone—zero chance of getting lost and having to Google “how to make a survival shelter out of sheer regret.”

Back to the trail….Was it scenic? Ehh… define scenic. I figured not sprinting through it in the dead of winter like last time might give me a fresh perspective. Maybe I’d notice something new.

Turns out? If you love consistent views of trees—and I mean the same trees copy-pasted across the landscape then yes, it was scenic.

Was it well-marked? Absolutely.

Did I feel safe? 100%.

This place is basically a glorified park run, with a steady stream of locals getting their steps in. No eerie isolation. No “am I starring in my own survival documentary?” vibes. Just a straightforward, no-surprises kind of walk.

So, depending on what you are looking for, this can either be a win or a "well, at least I got my steps in" kind of experience.

The true blow to my ego, however, came when I found myself surrounded by a very specific species of hiker: Pinterest Moms in Their Natural Habitat. Perfectly coordinated gear, takeaway coffee in hand, looking effortlessly polished.

And then there was me. Hydration bladder strapped on. Boots tied with military precision. Fully geared up like I was about to summit Kilimanjaro—on what was essentially a glorified nature walk.

Did I feel out of place? Completely.

Did I care? Okay, fine. Yes.

For a minute, I questioned everything. Had I picked the wrong trail? Should I have swapped my hiking boots for cute sneakers and a latte? But then I reminded myself—this wasn’t about looking the part. It was about doing the thing. And I did the thing.

So, no. I’m not some fearless explorer or hardcore adventurer. You don’t need to be brave. or a rugged survivalist. You just need to take that first step.

And one day, you might wake up and realize your comfort zone has officially become the most uncomfortable place to be.

That’s when the magic happens.

RATING

AREA - Olifantsfontein

COST - R 50

DIFFICULTY

If you struggle, that’s between you and your fitness level 

LENGTH

2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km routes - I decided on the 5 km

ELEVATION -  None

MARKERS - Good

HIGHLIGHTS 

Uhh... trees? Also, self-discovery?

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES 

Loads - coffee shop (yes, I had another solo cappuccino… and what of it??), trampolines, acrobranch, flower picking, bike trails… honestly, the list just keeps going. It's basically an adventure park.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

Definitely TOSOLO (If you can survive the self-esteem destruction of seeing a Pinterest model on your “hike.”)

Oh, and it's totally dog-friendly!