Hikers tackle St Fort Cannibal Trail

On the weekend of September 11 to 13, the Jack and Jill Hiking Club went to the St Fort Cannibal Trail in Clarens.
The members travelled to Clarens via the scenic route that goes through the Golden Gate National Park and enjoyed seeing all the wonderful mountains.
Friday night was spent in the “Melkstal” that offered bunk beds with mattresses, ablutions and a Lapa with braaing facilities. Due to a bitterly cold wind that was blowing, the hikers did not have a very enjoyable night’s rest, as all felt the cold.
On a lovely sunny Saturday morning the hikers took on the Day 1 route of 9km of the Cannibal Trail hike. The route is a circular one and takes you through differing landscapes, from stunning mountain views, to river walks, forest ambles to boulder hopping in and along gorges. This beautiful farm is situated in the Rooi and Witte Berg Mountains of the Eastern Free State.

The route is very well marked. The weather was kind and the morning hike was sunny and warm. Breakfast was enjoyed at Bat Wing Cave whereafter that the hikers proceeded to the overnight cave coming across one ladder to assist hikers down a large rock.
The ladder was a daunting sight to one hiker, but it was conquered. The Overnight Cave offers two flushing toilets and two cold water showers. On arriving at the Overnight Cave, some very brave hikers took a cold water shower to freshen up before settling down for a relaxing afternoon and evening. The weather changed to a biting cold wind and rain showers in the evening but everyone managed to sleep warmer on Saturday night and all had a better rest than the previous night.
Sunday morning broke into sunshine and the hikers started the second day route of 7km back to the starting point. The hikers only took short breaks along the way, to catch their breath and drink some water, before continuing so that the muscles did not get time to stiffen up and to stay warm as the wind on the mountain tops was rather chilly.
The weekend was enjoyed by all.