The "New" Mule Trail: Off-Lead Royalty and Last-Minute Plans

The tribe consisted of Boris (who does not acknowledge leashes), his loyal human Basil, and myself.

We originally had big plans.

Involving a different trail altogether.

Until the rain decided to flood it the night before.

Because of course it did.

So, in true hiker fashion, we regrouped at the eleventh hour and landed on the “new” Mule Trail in Hartbeespoort.

It had been on the list anyway, and,

being off-lead, Boris had already emotionally committed.

Basil had already done the old 6 km and the new 10 km.

She had got lost, bushwhacked and somehow emerged back on the 6 km trail.

I had done the old 6 km trail a while back with my work colleague Cinnamon.

We had also got lost, bushwhacked, and still ended up exactly where we needed to be.

No trauma.

Only warm, fuzzy memories.

Things Have Been Added

After months of renovations, the trail had reopened.

They open at 7:30 am (always a win) - because hiking after 9 am is just masochism with extra sun.

And they’ve added things.

Nineteen69 Pub & Bistro is still there - charming, quirky, and gloriously unchanged.

Think upcycled memorabilia and charming knick-knacks.

New to the scene:

Doolshe, for the bougie foodies who hike and care deeply about plating.

An antique shop, for reasons.

A Big Blue store, because balance.

The energy?

Still excellent.

The Trail

It starts with an incline, not brutal, but also not for first-time hikers who are still figuring out which end of the boot goes forward.

The route begins at the Blockhouse Museum, where you can read the history behind the trail.

I personally smile, wave politely at the information boards, and absorb the historical significance purely via vibes.

You hike past the ruins of the original blockhouse and continue uphill to genuinely stunning panoramic views- calm, peaceful, and convincing enough to make you forget you’re basically hiking next to a main road.

The 10km Trail

The 6 km (white) trail is far better marked than it used to be.

But we had committed to the new 10 km yellow trail.

We were warned that due to recent heavy rains (which are now starting to annoyingly interfere with my life), visibility of the yellow painted rocks might be… questionable.

The trail is well marked… to a point.

And then comes that familiar moment every trail seems to have these days - the one where the universe gently whispers:

“Dear hiker, you are now on your own.”

We lost the yellow rocks.

Bushwhacked.

Detoured.

After some backtracking and me mentally surrendering to the wilderness, Basil -persistent queen - decided we should push on.

We did.

We found another yellow rock.

Then another.

Brief hope returned.

But once we stopped admiring scenery and started playing an aggressive game of "Find the Yellow Rock", we made the executive decision to shortcut back to the original trail - where we could do what we do best:

Actually enjoy the hike.

Post-hike we binged at Nineteen69.

We skipped the bougie.

Basil, thank you. When the trail wavered, your resolve didn’t, and we went farther because of it.

Between me, you, and Boris, we all contributed to finding our way out there… though let’s be honest, Boris wins for dramatic flair and sheer emotional commitment.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Broederstroom

COST

R 50

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Not hard… but also not a gentle stroll.

TRAIL LENGTH

We did 8.8 km.

TRAIL MARKERS

Scroll up… you know the saga.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Stunning views and a genuinely peaceful trail

WEATHER CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER

Hot, open, and sunny.

Likely glorious in winter.

Slightly offensive in summer.

ABLUTIONS

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES

Perfect for post-hike refuelling, dramatic storytelling about your heroic journey, or casual shopping

WILDLIFE & BIRD LIFE

Apparently.

Not evidenced. No sightings. No witnesses.

NOTE TO SELF

“Traily” and “pathy” (as in this looks "traily") are not real words, despite being said repeatedly for hours.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes

PET FRIENDLY

Absolutely

ON A FINAL NOTE

Despite:

Basil abandoning her hiking pole at every water stop (and having to retrieve it)....

Me tripping and slamming phone into a rock, and cracking my week old screen protector.....

A very minor hand gash that bled profusely (okay, fine… a tiny bit)....

(Since I’m being melodramatic), me ‘breaking’ (read: stubbing) my baby toe the night before...

Mild navigational trauma....

A few unexpected tick discoveries.....

You absolutely have to do the 6 km.

And yes—you should also try the 10 km.

You’ll thank me if - "when"… I mean "when" - you get home.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

(NO)SOLO