Hikers enjoy the magnificence of the bushveld
The hikers arrived on Friday afternoon, set up camp and then made their way down to investigate and try out the hot pools.
The Jack and Jill Hiking club kicked off 2018 with their first hike to Natal Spa on the weekend of January 26-28.
Natal Spa is located about 30km from Vryheid in the Paulpietersburg area and is set in 550 hectares of beautiful bushveld among giant Cambrian granite boulders. Following wonderful rains in the surrounding areas, the Bivane River was flowing wonderfully.
Natal Spa offers a large variety of activities to their guests, few of which are quad biking, squash, tennis, hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Indoors, guests can play snooker, table tennis or darts. There is also a spa facility on the premises. The hiking trails on offer are a hiking trail (2,5km) and two mountain bike trails (9,5km and 10km), which can be walked as well. The hikers decided to do the mountain bike trail of 9,5km.
The hikers arrived on Friday afternoon, set up camp and then made their way down to investigate and try out the hot pools.
A delicious lasagne, supplied by a hiker, was enjoyed, seeing many of the hikers going for seconds, it was so divine.
Saturday morning the hikers had difficulty locating the starting points of the trails and did a warm-up hike around the resort looking for the starting point of the 9,5km trail but to no avail. The hikers eventually settled on the 2,5km trail that takes one up onto a koppie giving a stunning aerial view over the Natal Spa resort. The hikers returned to the resort’s picnic spot and enjoyed their refreshments that had been packed for the days hike.
Back at the campsite hiking boots were changed for swimwear and everyone headed down to the hot pools where a relaxing time was spent between the various pools, alternating in degrees of warmth.
On Saturday evening the hikers enjoyed braaied mielies for starters, followed by a lovely braai, all while having a lovely social get together around the campsite.
Sunday morning broke following a storm on Saturday night and an enjoyable breakfast comprising leftovers from the braai was had. This was followed by another visit to the hot pools. Some dark threatening clouds had the hikers scrambling back to the campsite to pack up tents before it rained. Luckily, the clouds passed and the sun came out and it turned out to be a lovely sunny day. After packing up some hikers returned to the hot pools while others tried their hand at putt-putt.
The weekend was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Sunday, and going back to daily life, arrived all too soon.
The next hike will take place at the Royal Natal National Park over the weekend February 16-18. For further information, Willem can be contacted on 082 856 7664.
