A river actually does run through it….

A mere 20 minute drive out of the hustle and bustle of ever-busy Fourways traffic, brings you to another world. As you step out of the car into the cold morning air, the unmistakable smell of river rises up to meet you. For those who have been lucky enough to grow up along the river banks, it’s a homely and natural smell. Every cell in your body shouts in joy “OUTSIDE!!” your smile starts to spread uncontrollably and your eyes get a mischievous sparkle.

Even though it was mid-winter and another cold front was around the corner, getting out and in the fresh winter air did us good. It blows the cobwebs from the mind, makes you forget the work week and the impending doom of Monday morning (for some). And so that’s exactly what we did one chilly Sunday morning a few weeks ago.

Welcome to the Hennops Hiking Trail.

You drive through a homestead I would give my eye teeth for – complete with old Ford ‘’bluebottle’’ tractor and even cooler old Toyota Land Cruiser parked in the garage. We are greeted by two of the friendliest individuals at the entrance. It’s no surprise when we find out they are Malawians. My Dad start’s chatting to them in Chechewa – this knocks their socks off and their already big smiles double. It takes us a good ten minutes before we can get a word in edge ways and pry the three apart from their reverie of the wonders of Malawi and its charming people.

The first thing you meet as you reach the river bank, is a nifty little cable car. It’s a fun way to start your hike, as you zoot over the river below, white and foaming.

We opted for the Zebra trail (6km) on our first visit, it’s a really nice hike and covers some interesting terrain. It’s pretty aptly named, as we came across Zebra a few times along the trail, as well as a small herd of Wildebeest. The trail winds up from the river at a slow but steady rate, it is well sign posted, as are the places of interest along the route.

There is also a 4×4 trail on the property, which proved rather amusing on our hike. We heard the scrunch of tyres on rocks behind us, and turned to see a big red Jeep crossing the trail. Nothing was particularly amusing about the car – but the driver was not watching the road in front of him, but instead texting on his cell phone. This just caught me completely off guard, in the middle of the bush – the absolute incongruity of it all, and I cackled with laughter. Took me a while to gain my composure with only the occasional snigger. But to each his own.

Another one of the incongruous things on either of the longer trails, is too see the Towers of Mordor (as we call it) or as it’s actually known, The Pelindaba Nuclear Plant, peaking over the horizon. Somehow it’s an ominous looking place and it sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of the surrounding natural environment.

Our second visit some weeks later took us along the Krokodilberg trail, a challenging 11km route with lots to see. We picked a public holiday and the trails were bustling! This offers a completely different vibe to a quiet Sunday hike, but it’s great to see so many people out and about enjoying nature. The scenery along the Krokodilberg trail changes during its course, it climbs and descends, again and again, but the views and the interesting points along the route with names like; Hospital cave, Pruimpie se Gat and Houtkappershoek, make it worthwhile. Finding the trail led through the majestic Aloe Marlothii’s was the cherry on the top for me. I’d do the 11k’s again just to be surrounded by them. The steep decent down into the much needed cooler environs of Kuduskloof leads you along a dry river bed for quite some distance, nearly all the way back to the Hennops river, and the Hadeda base camp.

There is a superb picnic spot – Loerie Camp – along the river banks, and your hiking fee covers the use of these facilities, including a swimming pool and braai areas. It’s a great spot to cool down after an exhausting hike.

The Hennops Hiking Trail is a great escape to neglect your ever present chores, abandon that incessantly noisy tv and just go out to breathe. It’s open to day-hikers on the weekends as well as on Public Holidays – no booking is required.

The cost is R60.00 per adult and R30.00 for children under 12 – Cash only – no card facilities.For more information check out their website.