Vergenoeg:Chasing Vultures, Summiting Dreams

So... Nadia's Peak again. Why? What madness is this? Well,this wasn’t just about Nadia's Peak—it was about finally tackling.....drum roll please...... Vergenoeg. And to get there, the group hike was to summit Nadia's peak and descend Vergenoeg.

For ages, I’ve been obsessed with this trail, all because of those flipping vultures. You know, the massive, scraggly scavengers that snack on roadkill like it’s fine dining, yet somehow manage to look majestic and serene as they glide effortlessly through the sky....yes dem vultures.

Every time I’ve hiked the Magaliesberg Mountains, they’ve been mere distant specks, taunting me with their graceful aloofness. This time, I thought, I shall pet them!!

With Nadia's Peak, I knew exactly what I was in for: brutal but rewarding. Ordinarily, I would not have done it again, especially in the middle of a blazing summer. But this time, it was my gateway to Vergenoeg.

Just as I remembered, this trail launches you into a steep incline from the get-go. Sure, it was greener than last time, but it was every bit as relentless as I remembered.

For more info on Nadia's Peak, feel free to check out my previous blog (https://hikinghag.wixsite.com/the-hiking-hag-1/post/nadia-s-peak-in-magaliesburg-another-one-ticked-off-the-spreadsheet).

This Blog is about the guest of honor—Vergenoeg.

After conquering Nadia’s Peak again (insert standing ovation here), we pressed on, skirting ridges and soaking in panoramic views as we made our way toward Vergenoeg.

And yes, the vultures did get closer—just not close enough to live up to the dramatic picture I’d painted in my head. Honestly? A tad anti-climactic.

But if hiking (and life, really) has taught me anything, it’s this: stop obsessing over the one thing you’re chasing. The real magic is in everything else you notice along the way.

Case in point? We even saw a rainbow. On a hot, sunny day. Nature certainly knew how to distract me.

The trip down Vergenoeg was also tough. Loose rocks, gravel, and a complete lack of trust in my own footing made every step a disaster waiting to happen. My signature move of landing squarely on my backside was primed and ready, but miraculously, I stayed upright.

This descent isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s hot, grueling, and just the right amount of miserable to make you question your decision. But when you finally stumble your way to the bottom—sweaty, sore feet that feel like they’ve been through a shredder and wondering how many toenails survived—you’re not just triumphant, you feel like you’ve summited Kilimanjaro. Twice.

Having said that though, in that moment, I made a decision (and this one I might actually stick to): no more of these marathon Magaliesberg hikes in summer. Seriously, I’ve ticked off a fair number by now, and it’s all starting to feel a bit rinse and repeat.

The sensible thing? Wait for winter, when the air is crisp, the trails are kinder, and my sanity has a fighting chance. But hey, let’s see...we all know how good I am at sticking to my "sensible" decisions.

RATING

AREA - Magaliesburg

COST 

Ours was guided, but normally around R 50.

DIFFICULTY  

It tests stamina, endurance and technical ability...oh and sanity.

LENGTH - 13 km

TIME

Five hours—mostly walking. Sure, we stopped here and there, but not often and definitely not for long. This wasn’t a leisurely stroll; it was a steady grind.

ELEVATION - 555 m

MARKERS

When I am guided...the guide is my marker. Could I do it alone....asolutely not.

HIGHLIGHTS 

The peaks and ENDLESS 360 degree views of Hartbeespoort. You absolutely won't get those views unless you climb those ranges.

ABLUTIONS - Good

SAFE FREE PARKING

AMENITIES 

A really lovely little coffee shop at Vergenoeg for everyone to lick their wounds and pat themselves on the back.

SIDE NOTE

Because we planned to start at 6:30 (we didn’t), the guide suggested we sleep over the night before. I had arranged to carpool with another member—a total stranger—and booked at a place the guide recommended. Zero clue where we were going.

When my kids asked, “Where are you staying?” I replied, “I don’t know.”

“Who are going with?” they asked. “I don’t know.”

“Mom… is this even safe?”

"Of course it is," I said with all the confidence in the world. And you know what? It was safe. That’s the magic of the hiking community: blind trust, shared adventure, and emerging on the other side a slightly better (and significantly sweatier) person.

Honestly, the camaraderie on hikes like these is something else. Everyone’s going through their own personal brand of hell—some more than others—but it is brutal for everyone.

By the time you’ve made it, you feel like you’ve conquered the world with your temporary family. It’s sweaty, it’s exhausting, and somehow, it’s annoyingly special.

Of all my hikes so far, nothing beats the sweaty triumph of a Magaliesburg summit—endless beauty, peace and feeling like the last great adventurer on Earth.

Oh dear, is that another Magaliesburg hike I see on the horizon?