On the weekend of August 19-21, the Jack and Jill Hiking Club went to the St Fort Cannibal Trail in Clarens.
The members travelled to Clarens, via the scenic route that goes through the Golden Gate National Park, and enjoyed seeing all the stunning mountains.
Friday night was spent in a dormitory that offered bunk beds and mattresses, ablutions, and a Lapa with braai-ing facilities.
A bring-and-share braai was held for supper and, as usual, there was plenty of lovely food to be shared. We were even spoilt by one hiker with an apple pudding and cream.
On a lovely sunny Saturday morning the hikers took on the day one route of 9km of the Cannibal Trail hike. The route is a circular one and takes you through differing landscapes, from stunning mountain views, to river walks, forest ambles to boulder hopping in and along gorges. This beautiful farm is situated in the Rooi and Witte Berg Mountains of the Eastern Free State. The route is very well marked and maintained.

A delicious pasta salad and tasty baked potatoes were presented to be enjoyed with our braai meat.

The weather was kind and the morning hike was sunny and warm. Breakfast was enjoyed at Bat Wing Cave. Thereafter the hikers proceeded to the overnight cave coming across one ladder to assist hikers down a large rock. The ladder was a daunting sight to some hikers, but it was conquered. The overnight cave offers two flushing toilets and two cold water showers. (which unfortunately were not in very good working order)
On arriving at the overnight cave, some very brave hikers took a cold water shower to freshen up, but the water seemed to be bitterly cold and some emerged looking rather bluish from the cold. Everyone settled down for a relaxing afternoon and evening around a lovely fire. A delicious pasta salad and tasty baked potatoes were presented to be enjoyed with our braai meat.
The hikers all headed to bed soon after supper, as some were feeling quite tired from the days hike. Sunday morning broke into sunshine and the hikers started the second day route of 7km back to the starting point.
The hikers enjoyed seeing the breathtaking views which included the mist lying in the valleys in between the lovely Free State mountains.