The Soul-Renewing Beauty of the Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail
There are few places that truly capture the essence of nature in its raw, unfiltered beauty. Magoebaskloof, nestled in the misty highlands of Limpopo Province, is one such gem. Our group of 13 hikers embarked on a five-day adventure through this natural haven, and by the end of it, felt utterly renewed.
The Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail is more than just a path through the mountains—it’s a journey through time, with ancient forests, diverse wildlife, and an ecosystem that thrives in perfect harmony. What makes Magoebaskloof so unique is not just its physical beauty, but its climate, its biodiversity, and its role as a sanctuary for both humans and animals alike.
On our five-day hike, we saw everything from towering pine trees to indigenous ferns threatened by poaching, and we even stumbled across the remains of a leopard’s meal.
The weather was as varied as the landscape, from chilly, misty mornings to scorching days that left us seeking the cool embrace of the shade.
This post explores the uniqueness of Magoebaskloof, its vegetation, wildlife, and the incredible experience that left me feeling more connected to the earth and to myself.
The Unique Beauty of Magoebaskloof
Magoebaskloof is often referred to as the “land of the silver mist,” and it’s not hard to see why.
Located at the meeting point of the Highveld and the Lowveld, this region is a rich tapestry of ecosystems. The high altitude allows for cooler temperatures and the occasional rolling mist, while the lower reaches are characterized by the warmth of subtropical forests.
This diversity in climate creates the perfect conditions for a wide range of plant and animal life to flourish.
The hike itself took us through landscapes that seemed to change with each step.
One moment, we were enveloped by dense pine forests, the towering trees creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere. The next, we found ourselves in the heart of lush, indigenous forests, where ferns, mosses, and wildflowers carpeted the ground.
These forests are a rare treasure, remnants of a time when much of southern Africa was covered in such verdant greenery.
What sets Magoebaskloof apart is its home to several rare and endangered species, both plant and animal, and its protected areas serve as a vital refuge in a world where wild spaces are rapidly diminishing.
It was heartening to see how well-preserved the area is, and how conservation efforts are being actively supported by local communities.
Cast Of Crazies
Day 1: De Hoek Hut to Woodbush Hut
Our journey began at De Hoek Hut, a simple yet welcoming start to the adventure. The day was overcast, with a chill in the air that promised more cool weather to come.
The river we followed upstream on Day 1 is the Broederstroom River, a central feature of the Magoebaskloof region.
This pristine waterway winds its way through lush indigenous forests and is home to a number of waterfalls and pools, including the famed Dokolewa Pools, where we would be staying on day 3.
As we made our way upstream, we crossed several wooden bridges, their surfaces slick from the previous day’s rain. Each crossing offered a view of the river’s clear waters, which reflected the greenery surrounding it.
The Dokolewa Pools, in particular, are a peaceful and picturesque spot, where the river widens slightly and forms a series of calm, inviting basins. This area is known for its tranquility and is a perfect place to stop and appreciate the natural beauty of the forest.
The cool sound of the flowing water accompanied us throughout the hike, providing a calming backdrop to the challenging terrain.
The Broederstroom River and its tributaries serve as lifelines for the surrounding flora and fauna, reinforcing the sense of connection between the landscape and the ecosystem that thrives here.
Crossing the river felt like a journey into the heart of the wilderness, where nature flourishes in its purest form.
On the last leg of the day’s hike, we came across something that sent a thrill through the group—a porcupine carcass, freshly killed. The sight of a leopard kill was both eerie and exciting, a stark reminder that we were walking through a wild and untamed land.
Leopards, once pushed to the brink of extinction in the area, are slowly making a comeback. These apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, and seeing evidence of their presence was a highlight of the day.
The trail to Woodbush Hut continued through pine forests, with occasional breaks offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
The hike took slightly longer than anticipated, with some of our watches clocking 12kms instead of he predicted 8.5km on the map, last updated in 2007.
Day 2: Woodbush Hut to Broederstroom Hut
We set out from Woodbush Hut to Broederstroom Hut, a day that would bring us face-to-face with some of Magoebaskloof’s unique forestry heritage.
The weather was still overcast. It felt like walking through a dreamscape, the chill swirling around us as we made our way deeper into the forest.
The pine trees gave way to more indigenous vegetation, and soon we were walking among towering yellowwoods, their trunks covered in moss.
We found the world’s tallest planted tree—a towering redwood standing over 80 meters high. Not far from it was a cluster of eucalyptus trees, which play an important role in the region’s forestry industry.
These trees, initially brought to the area for timber production, have helped sustain the local economy for decades.
As the day wore on, we approached the tranquil Dap Naude Dam, a quiet, reflective body of water nestled between the hills.
Along the way, we discovered that the trail map we were following, last updated in 2007, wasn’t as reliable as we had hoped—several paths had shifted or disappeared over the years.
This made navigating the terrain even more challenging, with “undulating” quickly becoming an official swear word among our group.
We passed Waterfall Hut, where we had originally planned to stay, but after hearing Broederstroom Hut offered the luxury of electricity and hot water, we changed plans in the morning. That decision proved to be wise after a long day of unexpected detours and rolling hills.
The Broederstroom Hut was a welcome sight after a long day of hiking. Nestled in the forest, it felt like a hidden retreat, a place where we could rest and recharge for the days ahead.
Now is as good a time as ever to mention the condition of the huts. To this point all the huts we used were brick, possibly converted farmhouses with multiple rooms, a cooking area indoors, sometimes without benches, and with rooms with standard bunk beds with a thick mattress.
However, I must confess those mattresses are in a sorry state. Some of the lightbulbs are out.
The huts have ONE loo (for 30 pax) and 2 showers. As our resident engineer, Aquelle, observed, a person only needs to shower once, but needs to use the loo more often. Thus it would make more sense to have multiple toilets, and one shower (or both).
If Komatiland invested some money in these huts, there is no reason why this magnificent trail couldn’t become as popular as The Leopard Trail and several others in the Western Cape.
The hot shower was most appreciated. Thanks to the boys who made an effort to find out how and where to turn on the geyser!
Day 3: Broederstroom Hut to Dokolewa Pools Hut
Day three was one of the longer stretches of the hike, covering 18 kilometers. The terrain was varied, with a mix of forest paths, rocky outcrops, and river crossings. The further we went, the more diverse the vegetation became. Indigenous ferns, some as tall as a person, lined the trail, their fronds catching the sunlight that finally began to break through the clouds.
This part of the hike offered some of the most spectacular scenery of the trip. The views were expansive, with deep valleys, rolling hills, and distant mountains all visible at once. It was moments like these that made me pause and reflect on the sheer beauty of the place. There was something almost spiritual about it, a sense of being connected to the earth in a way that is hard to describe.
Yoga and Pilates sessions helped us to unwind each day, giving our muscles a much-needed stretch.
These activities, combined with the natural surroundings, allowed us to tap into a sense of mindfulness that complemented the physical exertion of the hike.
This was also the day we abandoned the map completely as it made us add 3 kilometres onto the estimated 18 kms. We walked a half marathon!
Fortunately the terrain was flatter and the last bit was down the Broederstroom River towards the Dokolewa Pools hut. We had anticipated this wooden hut from day 1 when we passed it on our way to Woodbush hut.
A rustic wooden hut with 2 bedrooms, each with an en-suite toilet and shower, and a communal area. No hot water or electricity. But who cared? We had a magnificent waterfall in our backyard.
End of Part 1.
Many choose to do this hike in 3 days, so could we. But Magoebaskloof is a long way from Cape Town and we wanted bang for our buck.