Great Hikes for Families

A heart-warming hiking scene

As avid outdoor enthusiasts with 2 young sons (6 & 9) our aim on this overnight hike was to completely get away from all technology and phones and instil a love of hiking in our children.

Pieta from Escarp Hiking Trails arranged a fantastic combination of accommodation and hiking that the entire family loved…and all we had to carry were sleeping bags, food and clothes.

At Escarp Pieta is able to create any combination of hikes from weekend hikes to 7 night backpack hikes using a network of almost a 100km of trails and 5 camps (4 of their own) over two of their properties and that of their neighbours.

We opted for the 3 night option and Pieta carefully curated the hikes between each night’s stop to ensure maximum fun for the boys and minimum whinging for the parents.

We arrived in the late afternoon and settled into the Jackal Coffee hut at Aloe Kaya. It was spectacular coming over the rise and seeing these little huts nestled amongst the rocks. The huts are clean and simple with bunk beds and mattresses. Aside from the stunning views, wide open spaces and general joy of being outdoors, the magic at Escarp comes in both the setting of the various accommodations and the attention to detail in the central cooking and eating areas.

There is a gas stove, fridge, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, bundles of wood that operate on an honesty basis, a little honesty box with bits and pieces you might need (extra coffee) or just want (cold beer)! We had brought a mixture of the Trail Food Company’s meals with us – some risotto, chilli con carne and red lentil dhal – the benefits being that they are light and easy to carry, quick to prepare and delicious to boot. It also makes it easy given that we have one picky eater and one vegetarian in the family!

It was definitely too cold this time to make use of the outdoor canyon showers and loo with a view – but come summer – we will definitely be back!

After our first night at Aloe Kaya we set off to our next stop – the Pongola Express. The boys were very excited to sleep their second night in a beautifully restored train carriage. The first day’s hike was a little over 6km and took us from the top of the mountain down to nearer the base – we shimmied down ladders, explored overhangs, and scrambled through small canyons.

Many parts of the trail have names such as Albert’s Tumble, Rafiki’s Cathedral and Passage Steps which make the entire experience even more fun and interesting. There was a little confusion around some of the old signage from previous owners but it’s on Pieta’s to do list, and if you follow your nose you can’t really go too wrong.

Pongola Express is set just above a little rushing stream and again has the super central facilities and fire pit, with the added bonus of the 2 beautiful mahogany carriages. Percy is on hand there to take you on additional hikes to waterfalls and swimming ponds – again it was a bit chilly but again – we’ll be back!

The next morning saw us hiking back up the Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment, passing blesbok and klipspringers. You crest the rise, cross over the farm road and then wind your way through some more spectacular rocks and the ‘Aloe Garden’. As you reach Candlewood camp a huge vista opens up on your right with a high waterfall that in a rainy summer can span most of the overhanging cliffs.

Some very fast showering in the outdoor showers followed by Trail Food’s delicious and warming mushroom risotto (which Kai claims is even better than mummy’s cooking!), hot chocolate and cosying up to the indoor fire whiled away our last night.

An easy, brisk hike back to the car on the last morning, and we were back in Hoedspruit by the afternoon. There were so many other hikes and routes that we could have taken including Golden Gorge which sounds fabulous that we know we will be back.

Overall I would rate this as a truly excellent experience for families and friends who like the outdoors, hiking, waterfalls and beautiful scenery.