Walk With Mountain Pastures
Join us for guided walks and explore the beauty and biodiversity of Mountain Pastures!
Contact: 044 7523374
info@mountainpastures.co.za
Hannibal Trail
I knew that it was going to be a hike with many animal sightings when I came across the Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) on the way to Mountain Pastures! And that was indeed the case….
I was spending the day on one of the trails on Mountain Pastures farm, where nature is truly ‘at its best’. This trail starts off on the north-facing side of the mountain with spectacular views of the de Hoop valley and mountains in the distance.
On this walk, I was specifically interested in exploring the biodiversity under rocks. Exploring under rocks on the way up, I was delighted to find Harpactira tigrina (common yellow-banded baboon spider), found in silk-lined burrows under rocks. Another rock overturned yielded the beautiful scorpion Parabuthus planicauda, yellowish in colour. Just before reaching the top of the mountain, the small scorpion Uroplectes marlothi was found, well camouflaged with its distinctive bands, between tufts of grass.
The view to the south as one reaches the top of the mountain always ‘takes one’s breath away’! The perfect place to stop, enjoy the tranquillity and views. The trail now runs along the top of the mountain, and one is surrounded by pristine fynbos. The fynbos diversity is high, thus there are always species flowering, no matter what month of the year one hikes. One of my favourite buchu species, Agathosma cerefolium (Anysboegoe) with its typical aniseed-scented leaves and flowers was in flower, as were numerous other fynbos species. Butterflies and dragonflies accompanied me as I strolled along the trail. I found a third scorpion species, the dark-coloured Opistacanthus diremptus, common under rocks on the top of the ridge.
It is always with a ‘heavy heart’ that I have to turn around and head back, but the knowledge that I will be back soon cheers me up!
Join us for guided walks and explore the beauty and biodiversity of Mountain Pastures!
Buffalokloof Trail
There is no need for a man-made path, the animals have done it for us! I chuckle to myself as I start to walk. I am on the Buffalokloof trail, another walking route option on the Mountain Pastures farm.
Winding my way along the animal tracks up a gently sloping kloof, I enjoyed the beautiful fynbos species and had fun studying the numerous animal footprints along the paths. These paths take me up to a plateau with spectacular views both to the north and south. I stop here to explore the stunning Leucadendron (Cone Bush, Tolbos) and Brunia (Volstruisies) species in flower.
The route takes a right turn, and heads in a westerly direction along the plateau and I take in the views as I meander along. So too do the Agama species, basking in the warm sunshine. There are plenty of rocks to be overturned if one is interested in exploring the animal diversity! The route then drops down a wide, gently sloping kloof to a jeep track at the base. I surprise a group of zebras having an afternoon ‘lie-down’ along the track. Further on, a group of Blesbok watch as I pass by, walking back to the starting point.
The Buffalokloof trail is an easy circular walk, with a very gentle climb to the plateau.
Being within the game area, one is guaranteed to see various game species.
Visit Mountain Pastures for great walks, which range from easy strolls to moderate hikes.
Guided walks are available on request, all of which can be ‘tailor-made’ to guest’s needs. Join us and enjoy the beauty that Mountain Pastures has to offer.
Join us for guided walks and explore the beauty and biodiversity of Mountain Pastures!
Buffalokloof Trail – 2
There is just nothing to beat an early start on one of the Mountain Pastures trails! Not only does it heighten one’s sense of ‘closeness to nature’, but there is also more chance of seeing plenty of game. It was thus early when I set off on the Buffalokloof trail, the second trail to have recently been developed by Mountain Pastures by Gerhardt van Greuning (Eco-Trail), a professional developer of hiking trails.
Eco-Trail is busy with the design and development of 3 trails. On completion, Mountain Pastures will be applying for certification of the trails through the ‘World trails network’ organisation, ensuring compliance to an international benchmark of standards for quality trails. If successful, the trails will be awarded ‘Green flag status’ which will ensure trail users of a safe, quality experience.
The trail is aptly named after the Buffalo which the farm kept in the past. The Buffalo may have gone, but they have left their paths in the kloof, where the trail begins.
As I meander up the kloof, I’m entertained by bird calls, magnificent rock formations and Protea species in bloom. A sudden movement catches my eye, it’s a klipspringer bounding up the steep rock face of the kloof. I gaze in wonder at the agility and speed of their movement over the rocky terrain. A perfect start to my hike!
The trail then leaves the kloof and heads up to the top of the rise, with wonderful views over the valley and across to the mountains in the distance. The path now meanders between a rich variety of plants, including Brunia, Erica and Restio species, as well as various succulent species. As I walk across the top of the mountain, I have to remind myself to ‘watch where I walk’, as the views are fabulous!
Descending down the plateau, I am delighted to see the beautiful Phylica lachneaeoides, with its dainty pink flowers, in full bloom. Now and again I step off the path so as not to disturb the neatly constructed Garden Orb-web spider webs.
There is an unexpected burst of life literally a meter from the path, I had disturbed a klipspringer resting in the shade and it leaps away into the distance. Two klipspringers seen in one day….what a privilege! Did you know that their hair, springy in texture, was once prized as a stuffing for saddles? I feel content knowing that this is no longer the case.
The trail then heads back past waterholes where springbok, zebra and blesbok can regularly be seen. I reluctantly stroll back towards the start of the trail, taking one last look at the scenic views that surround me. I’ll be back soon……
The Buffalokloof trail is a circular trail within the game area. The paths are well set out and sign-posted, a perfect ‘family’ route.
Visit Mountain Pastures for great walks, which can be self-guided or guided on request.
Klipspringer Trail
Would I see the elusive Klipspringer today….that was foremost in my mind as I started the Klipspringer Trail.
I set off up the Buffalo kloof, and before reaching the top, I explore the rock formations, finding beautiful plants growing within the tight crevices. The kloof takes me to the top of the plateau, and I have to pause to take in the spectacular views. The trail now heads in a westerly direction, along the ridge, meandering through low fynbos vegetation. I have to remind myself to ‘watch where you walk’ as the views to the north and south are fantastic! The rocky terrain offers so much potential for exploring the biodiversity under the rocks.
I reach a Trig Beacon, which tells me that I’m close to the western boundary of Mountain Pastures. From here I descend down a kloof, would I see Klipspringers here? Well, I see signs of Klipspringers, the distinctive paired rounded depressions of their hoof prints.
From the bottom of the kloof, the trail winds past a small koppie and then heads back in an easterly direction. I meet up with a group of healthy zebras and then pass springbuck at one of the dams, always a delight to see!
I may not have seen Klipspringers today, but the zebras and springbuck more than make up for that. I’m not surprised that I didn’t spot any Klipspringers today as I had chosen a hot day, they would be resting in the shade under bushes and so very difficult to see.
Well, this just means I will have to walk this trail again, what a pleasure!! But next time an early start to increase my chances of seeing them…..
Visit Mountain Pastures for great walks, which range from easy strolls to moderate hikes.
Guided walks are available on request, all of which can be ‘tailor-made’ to guest’s needs. Join us and enjoy the beauty that Mountain Pastures has to offer.
Waterfall Hike
“A hike to the Mountain Pastures waterfall? Count me in!” My friend, always keen on an adventure replied on the phone. Three days later, we find ourselves on the Mountain Pastures ‘Tranquillity Trail’. Today we are doing part of the trail to the waterfall in one of the kloofs.
The ‘Tranquillity Trail’ is the third trail to have recently been developed by Mountain Pastures by Gerhardt van Greuning (Eco-Trail), a professional developer of hiking trails. On completion, Mountain Pastures will be applying for certification of the trails through the ‘World trails network’ organisation, ensuring compliance to an international benchmark of standards for quality trails. If successful, the trails will be awarded ‘Green flag status’ which will ensure trail users of a safe, quality experience.
From the start, the trail meanders gently up the north-facing slope of the Hannibal Mountain and we stop frequently to gaze at the views to the north. The fynbos diversity just gets better and better as we reach the top, the Protea (Sugarbush) species in particular are spectacular! We head across the mountain in an easterly direction, the views to the south providing a beautiful ‘backdrop’ to the trail. We then start our descent down the slope and reach the split in the trail. As we head left down towards the kloof, our excitement heightens as we chat about the kloof and waterfall that awaits us.
The scent of fynbos surrounds us as we descend, the diversity is fabulous and includes Brunia (Volstruisies), :Leucadendron (Cone Bush/Tolbos) and Cyclopia intermedia (Bergtee). A highlight is to see Senecio pauciflosculous with its yellow flowers as well as Erica cerinthoides, with orange/red flowers. The Sugarbirds seem to enjoy the fynbos as much as we are, as they fly between the Proteas, a real treat to hear them and to watch them dart around.
As we reach the kloof, we are amazed at the sudden change in vegetation, the moisture-loving plants thriving here, including ferns and moss species. A short section leads us to the waterfall – it is everything and more than we imagined! Despite the dry conditions that the area has experienced, we are thrilled that the waterfall is flowing, and the pool at its base is very inviting.
There is no need for conversation as we relax and share snacks – we soak up the ‘tranquillity’ and sound of the waterfall and river. As we have chosen a cool day for the hike, we forgo a swim and rather explore the kloof. The rock faces skirting the kloof are magnificent, and scattered in area with Aloe species. Time flies by and we reluctantly head back up the slope and over the top of the mountain back towards the start of the trail.
Before we reach the end, we have already planned our next walk….a warm day to hike to the waterfall and swim!
Visit Mountain Pastures for great walks, which can be self-guided or guided on request.
