Hiking Trails
Around Mookgopong, you’ll find a number of splendid hiking trails that will delight nature enthusiasts. The Hanglipberg Trail starts at the Mookgopong base camp area and sets off into more remote areas of the farm on which the hike is based, making it a 16 km circular route.
The route’s highlights include stunning rock formations and a number of bridges and ladders, making the walk all that more exciting. The flat bushveld and beautiful mountain scenery makes this hike quite scenic, so take your time drinking in the landscape. The Skeurkrans Hiking Trails are situated in the heart of the Hanglipberg region of the Waterberg Mountains on a farm in close proximity to Mookgopong.
The trails are bound to entice hikers with majestic mountains, grass-clad hills, deep valleys, rugged terrain, rock pools and views. The three-day hike offers real bushveld accommodation, but there are three circular trails to choose from varying in length. The Vasbyt Hiking Trail at Jozette Farm in Mookgopong is a two-day 18 km hike that runs through the Waterberg Mountains.
The route starts quite steeply up the lower mountain slopes, but pretty river pools and views make up for the rougher parts of the trail. It’s a memorable bushveld hike. Nature reserves in the area offer hiking trails as well. At Ubumanzi, you can choose your own route on trails and hiking routes in a beautiful private game reserve in the heart of the malaria-free Waterberg. Riding for guests only.
The Nylsvley Nature Reserve offers various riding options in the reserve. The terrain can be rather sandy in the western section, otherwise it is hardpack through the bushveld. Puncture proof your tyres! It is a good terrain for families and beginners. Entrance fee payable. Sambane Lodge has three routes - 2.7, 5.9 and 13.7 km.
A 30 km gravel road network joins up with dedicated bike trails and provides the opportunity to tailor your own ride on jeep track and hiking trails. Riding for lodge guests only.
Legends Resort Trails
The Legends Resort near Mookgopong has various mountain biking options set in the scenic Waterberg region. It starts from a rookie 12 km ride and goes on to a gruelling three days of stage riding in the region. The ‘family’ option allows you to circumnavigate the many dirt roads and game tracks networking around the golf course itself.
Just watch out for the sable antelope, zebras and impalas along the way! Start off from the Club House along a short section of gravel, then turn right to where the Hanglip massif towers above the bushveld plains. A sandy ascent takes you up to a rocky hillock (1 km) where you turn right until you hit the fence line (3.5 km). If you want to add distance to your ride, take your first right again before doubling back along the top of the golf course.
Once you’re back at the fence line, keep cranking in a clockwise direction around the golf course, passing the main reception area (7 km). Another right turn along the main gravel access road offers a number of detours along jeep-tracks to your left, and eventually takes you back to the Club House for an easy 12 km crank. Way more enticing would be to ride into the reserve itself, but as this is a Big 5 area, you will need to plan ahead.
By Jacques Marais