Contact Info
More info on hiking outings from
Bess Schutte
on 013 764-2540

Walks & Hikes
 

The numerous hiking trails around Sabie cater for everyone - whether you are a bird watcher, a fauna and flora enthusiast, or merely want to experience the delight of relaxing within sight of sparkling waterfalls or meandering streams. The hiking trails around Sabie range from easy walks of a few hours to gruelling hikes over several days. Permits for Day Walks Permits for day walks costs R10/person/walk and are available from: Mac Mac Forest Retreat Merry Pebbles Holiday Resort Trips SA (Tourist Info Office)

Day Walks Forest Falls Walk Loerie Trail Secretary Bird Walk Misty Mountain Trails Graskop Day Trail Over-night Hikes on the Fanie Botha Hiking Trail Bonnet/Mac Mac Pools 2-Day Hartebeesvlakte 2-Night Bridal Veil 2-Night Maritzbos Circular 3-Night Fanie Botha 3-Day & 2-Night Mount Moody 4-Night Fanie Botha 5-Night

Day Walks

Forest Falls Nature Walk
This 3.2km circular route starts and finishes at the picnic spot, 15km from Sabie on the R532 road to Graskop.  It is a refreshing walk that takes you through fragrant pine forests to the Forest Falls - the only waterfall in the area that is wider than what it is high.  Toilet facilities available at the picnic spot. You will need a permit for this walk.

Loerie Trail
The Loerie trail is one of the most popular day walks in the area.  This 10km circular route starts at either the Ceylon Forest Station, or from the Castle Rock Municipal Caravan Park.  Or, if you park one of your vehicles at either end, you can walk the 5km one-way.  This is an easy and level trail along the Sabie river and takes you through pine and eucalypt plantations, as well as through patches of indigenous forest and grassland.  You will need a permit for this walk.

Secretary Bird Walk
This 3km circular route starts and finishes at the Mac Mac Pools, 13km from Sabie on the R532 road to Graskop.  The trail takes you through grassveld and scattered patches of indigenous forest.  There is little shade along the route and precautions against sunburn is advised.  You do not need a permit for this walk, but an entrance fee of R5/person is payable at the entrance gate to the Mac Mac Pools. Picnic and toilet facilities are available and swimming in the crystal clear mountain stream is refreshing.

Misty Mountain Trails
Well mapped and maintained 15km trails through indigenous forests, pine plantations, open grassland and along spectacular waterfalls on the Long Tom Pass. The trails vary in difficulty and in length/duration (from 2.7km to 5.3km) and start and finish at the Misty Mountain lodge (24km from Sabie).  The trails are part of a 280 hectare South African Natural Heritage Site, where the endangered blue swallow still breeds.  There is no charge for walking the Misty Mountain trails and a pub & restaurant awaits the weary wanderer. Safe & secure parking is available at the start of the trails.

 Graskop Day Trail
This 13.3km circular day trail starts at the Graskop Hut, which form part of the Fanie Botha overnight hiking trail.  The Graskop Hut is located a few km outside the town of Graskop.  On entering Graskop town (from the Sabie / Pilgrim's Rest side), turn right at the first 4-way stop and follow the signboards.  The trail takes you through a patch of pine plantations before crossing the railway line.  You then stroll over a concrete bridge across the Mac Mac River and descend into the indigenous forest before reaching Forest Falls (the only waterfall in the region that is wider than it's own height).  A short incline places you on the fairly easy stretch - back to the Graskop Hut.

Over-night Hikes
on the Fanie Botha