Located an hour and a half away from Johannesburg you’ll find Rustig Nature Reserve, with a rich offering of accommodation, game drives, picnics and four hiking trails that are guaranteed to suit all types of hikers.
Magaliesberg hike in Rustig Nature Reserve. Image: Welcome Lishivha
I am currently in Magaliesberg for a road trip story for an upcoming issue, which is why I spent this morning hiking at Rustig. The trails are safe, scenic, well-marked and offer a variety in terms of length and difficulty on the 2000 hectare nature reserve.
Each of the trails intersects at different points and each promises something different to explore. I did the shortest of the trails, the Olivenhout, but if time allowed I could amble on endlessly.
Rustig Nature Reserve’s, four hikes are divided into two-day hikes and two overnight trails:
1. Olivenhout hiking trail
Magaliesberg hike Rustig Nature Reserve. Image: Welcome Lishivha
This is the trail I explored with a friend this morning. It’s an easy 3km hike that takes about 2 hours to complete. The trail winds it’s way through the open bushveld and leads into a section of trees, with a tangle of tendrils and leaves in the canopy high above that filters the sunlight. The route has some steep sections which are a great deviation from the flatland.
Costs: R65 per person and R30 for children under 10.
Time: The average time for this trail is 1 hour and hikes must commence by 12pm.
2. Witstinkhout Hiking Trail
The 5km hiking trail is the perfect balance between those who need something a bit more challenging than the Olivenhout trail and something less demanding than the Karee trail.
Cost: R65 per adult and R30 for children under 10 years.
Time: The average time for the hiking is 3 hours and the hike must commence by 11am.
3. Karee hiking trail
This trail promises views in abundance. It’s also said to be for a bit more advanced hikers as it gets quite steep. The Karee trail is a 13km trail that’s open to both adults and children. You can do it in a day or spend a night in a hut on this ‘rustic’ hike. Water and firewood are supplied.
Cost: R75 person and R30 for children under 10. There is an option for an additional R50 to have your bags delivered to the hut, another R50 for an additional bundle of wood and R120 if you will need bedding.
Time: The average time for this hiking trail is 5-6 hours and the hike must commence by 9am.
4. 18-kilometre overnight hiking trail
The overnight trail is a great way of immersing yourself in the Magaliesburg mountains and indulging in the mountainous scenery. There is an overnight hut that accommodates a maximum of 8 people. The trail is hiked over 2 days, with the first covering 10 kilometres to the hut. The second day is slightly shorter at 8km long (although this can be cut to 5km). The hut has running water, electricity, beds with mattresses, a braai area outside, cutlery and crockery, camping chairs and a bundle of firewood. You’ll need to bring your own bedding,
Cost: R350 per person per night. There is an option for an additional R50 to have your bags delivered to the hut, another R50 for an additional bundle of wood and R120 if you will need bedding.
If you have suggestions of other things to do in the area, leave a comment below
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