Discover ancient wonders with a guided tour
Those selected few who went on the 8km Melville Koppies hike on March 6, were lucky to get a guided tour thrown into the pot.
With just a few people partaking, there were three guides to three hikers most of the way. With one hiker training for the Otter Trail and burdened by a pack weighed down by coffee-table books, it was a chance to stop frequently to catch one’s breath.
Geologist and Melville Koppies guide Musarrat Safi got a chance to point out and explain some of the geological marvels on the Koppies. These include the ancient granite and greenstone basement, which were formed 3.3 billion years ago. A billion years ago, a massive meteorite hit the earth, creating the Vredefort Dome (near Parys).
This event caused the overlying Wits quartzite rock to be tilted to the south, slipping downwards over the ancient granite and greenstone basement and exposing the rocks, which normally lie deep below our feet.
The extreme temperature and pressures created by the shearing of these two rock formations caused the alteration of minerals to form mica and kaolinite.
The contact between the basement and the Wits quartzites is not normally seen above ground. Mica is used to make the shine in make-up and kaolinite to make glossy paper among their other uses.
Book now
Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30.
Choose from a 5km self-guided hike, a guided tour (book on 079 532 0083 or be there by 8:30), a 3km self-guided heritage trail or just take a map and guide yourself along the extensive network of paths.
On the first Sunday of the month, join a guided 8km hike starting at 08:00 sharp.
The cost is R80 for adults and R40 for children. Season tickets at R500 per adult per year are also available. These are not transferable.
Income is used for the maintenance of the Koppies. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or call 079 532 0083 to find out more.
Visit their website or Facebook for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.
