The Scenic Avianto Trail - Lost Before the Hike Even Started

So hike number, let's just say 9865... and I had to phone a friend. This friend, let’s call her "Oregano" (you know, for continuity....and because she is totally a herb as opposed to a spice),

It was a Saturday morning, neither child was available and no group hikes even popped up.

Ah, Oregano. Not just a friend, but a reliable herb in the garden of my life. You know, the kind that's there through thick and thin.

When it comes to choosing a hiking trail with Oregano, we have to tailor our adventures—not to her actual needs, mind you—but to her expectations of herself.

She’s got more confidence and positive energy than anyone I know, which is confusing, because her expectations of her hiking stamina...not so positive.

But, being the patient person I am (????), I do not push her out her comfort zone.

Well, except for that one tiny incident—on a freezing winter’s morning—when I might have convinced her to brave the arctic conditions for a hike. She swore she’d contracted frostbite, which, in her defense, may have been true if frostbite kicked in after 10 minutes and a mild shiver.

I had a few farms on my list to try, but after a quick look, I realized they were riddled with inclines. So I narrowed it down to two options: a random place I slapped on a list a while back and forgot about, or Avianto Trails in Muldersdrift.

I had vague memories of Avianto from a wedding a couple of years ago, and I remember it being very scenic. But, back then, I wasn't the Olympic-level hiker I am now, so I hadn’t considered it from a trail perspective.

Long story short, I called the random place first. They were fully booked with a group. Not just any group. Oh no, these were people there to hunt. Internal meltdown ensued. Scratched that place off the list faster than you can say, “Run, Bambi, run.”

Avianto it was.

So the adventure began. Oregano, bless her early riser soul, arrived at my place at 6 a.m. sharp. We made the obligatory coffee and petrol stop, and then hit the road. Yes, of course I took the wrong fork on the highway. Standard. But we eventually got back on track.

We arrived as the first car in the lot, and a very patient car guard greeted us. "Park anywhere," he said.

So, I parked anywhere.

Then he told me I’d block trucks.

So, I re-parked.

Then he kindly explained a third way to park.

I’m sure I heard him thinking, “Lady, if parking is this hard, how are you planning to survive a hike?” But he didn’t know me. I’m a hiking legend.

Turns out we parked on the wrong side—naturally—and had to walk across the grounds to pay at reception. But who cared? The walk was super scenic, and by that point, we were already on our own little adventure.

After a few wrong turns, we found the reception. The receptionist was lovely and mentioned they were upgrading their trails, so no need to pay.

No map, no clue about distances, just a cheerful wave and blind confidence in our navigational skills. Clearly, the car guard hadn’t phoned ahead.

But guess what? She was right. We didn’t get lost. We had a meandering, scenic stroll through the grounds. How far did we walk? No idea. How long? Who knows. What I can confirm is that anyone, young or old, could manage the trail we took.

Will that change once they finish upgrading? Who’s to say? Just don’t hold me responsible if you go in the future and find yourself halfway up a mountain cursing my name.

AREA - Muldersdrift

COST - For us... free

DIFFICULTY - For us... easy

LENGTH - No idea

TIME - Even less idea

ELEVATION - Barely any

MARKERS - Yes, but all roads led to Rome anyway

HIGHLIGHTS - Scenic beauty

ABLUTIONS - Fabulous

PARKING - Free – just park properly and don't embarrass yourself

AMENITIES

Mountain bike trails, cross-country running paths, team building, fishing, etc.

We had breakfast at a lovely little spot post-hike.

ON A FINAL NOTE 

You’re not going to leave feeling like you conquered Everest or even worked up a decent sweat, but hey, sometimes it’s all about stopping to smell the roses... literally.