SPOILT FOR CHOICE – HIKING AND BIKING IN BLYDE CANYON

The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga (about 414km from Secunda) is the second-most visited hiking trail in South Africa! This wonderful Lowveld retreat is reachable after Friday’s end-of-week and you can be there just after night fall!

Cold and hot swimming pools, a shop, restaurant and other modern amenities are plentiful. The canyon has no fewer than 4 trials to choose from and, with your safety in mind, you sign in at the FOREVER resort (where you also have a choice of accommodation between camping, caravaning, or renting three-star or four-star bungalows).

Extensive safety measures are in place and the following routes are on offer:

KADISHI-TUFA TRAIL – WATERFALL

This trail takes approximately one and half hours to complete and is fairly easy. It runs along the Kadishi River that is a tributary of the Blyde River. It incorporates a lovely Tufa Waterfall which is a great phenomenon involving the building up of the rock behind the waterfall as opposed to the eroding away of the rock. As a result of the high calcium content of the water and the result calcium carbonate perception (known as the weeping face of nature) – Rate per person @ R75.00.

GUINE-FOWL TRAIL

This trail takes just over 3 hour to complete and requires a reasonable level of fitness. This scenically diverse trail offers beautiful views of the canyon’s features before descending into the lush vegetation of the Kadishi River Valley. A lovely swimming spot and a small Tufa waterfall are uncounted at the point where the trail crosses the Kadishi River – Rate per person @ R125.00

LEOPARD TRAIL

This trail takes about 4 hours to complete and requires a reasonable level of fitness. It offers a spectacular view of the Blyde River, Blyde Dam, Three Rondavels, Mariepskop and other features of the Blyde River Canyon. A variety of Biomes with their specific vegetation types are encountered on this trail. Although Leopards are seldom seen on the trail due to their shy and nocturnal habits, their spoor are often seen – Rate per person @ R155.00

LOURIE TRAIL
This trail takes about 2 and a half hour to complete and requires fitness as well as agility; the trail may be slippery after a rain. The river is crossed several times so be prepared to get your feet wet. Walking through the indigenous riparian forest makes one feel as though you have stepped into another world – Rate per person @ R105.00

Horse riding is another sublime activity and for your convenience the prices are listed:

Horse Rides

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF BLYDE CANYON ON HORSE BACK

• Breath taking view of the famous “World’s End” view point
• Trail horses are in good condition, you will be accompanied by an experienced trail guide
• The trail takes you through Montane grasslands surrounded by undulating hills, here an abundance of wild flowers and butterflies can be seen in spring and summer, Grey Duiker and Chacma Baboons are often encountered and occasionally even the elusive serval. As you progress you will pass through a thicket of silver cluster-leaf trees, these lovely trees are known as an indicator species as they indicate the presence of a seepline
• The trail goes past the “HUB of Knowledge” (Academy), and then follows the crest of the hill, so that unless the mist is too thick, the rock cliffs in the valley below can be clearly seen. A breath taking vista, the renowned World’s End view point awaits you at the edge of the Plato
• The horses are temporally tethered and you are free to clamber about on the rocks to find the ultimate viewing spot
• Relax and enjoy the wonder of nature before resuming your ride back to the stables
• The rates for this beautiful trip is as follows
• For between 1 and 1 and a half hours – @ R190.00 per person (depending on time spent at view point) – Adults to 6 years and up
• TODDLERS (05 years and younger) may ride with a parent at an extra cost of @ R60.00 per child sharing

Activities in close vicinity include the following:

• Blyde River Canyon
• Bourke’s Luck pot holes
• Eco Caves
• The Pinnacle
• God’s Window
• Variety of beautiful waterfalls like the Bridal Falls and Mac-Mac Falls.
• Kruger National Park (Paul Kruger Gate +/- 146km).
• Pilgrim’s Rest

This sounds like a must-see destination at your doorstep!