Assegaai Trails

About Assegaai Trails

Start: the parking area under trees at the office, off the R343 between Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea
Finish: either of two camp sites
Duration: 35 km of hiking trails through the nature reserve, some of it alongside the Assegaai River
Fitness: various, there are 4 hiking trails
Our tip: There is the advantage of interlinking the trails to add mileage to any given trail

Assegaai Trails markets itself as a real back-to-nature experience, and the farm is a huge property on which there are four trails – red, purple, yellow and blue. The only rule is that if you lose your way, you retrace your steps to the last marker you saw.

The other rule is that NO vegetation, rocks or creatures of any kind (living or dead) may be removed or disturbed on the farm.

Three of the trails start at Bottom's Up campsite, at the main entrance. This semi-open air 'rustic with class' camp lies on the edge of a dam with the opportunity to canoe or tube should the whim take you. There are bunk beds and mattresses, drinking water, hot showers and flush loos.

The Yellow Trail

The yellow trail heads up past Willow Pool on the Assegaai River, comes alongside the red trail briefly at The Split and then climbs to the highest point of the farm, before heading via the Ruin up the escarpment and Everest Lookout with incredible views over the river. It ends at Rock Bottom campsite.

The Red Trail

The red trail heads past Piggy Dam (hot day swimming hole), crosses the farm road into open grassland and allows one to spot game (plenty of antelope on the farm) in the open veld. You head to the escarpment where a little pink detour links to the yellow route and the Everest Lookout.

The Blue Trail

The blue trail occupies the north easterly section of the farm, whilst the purple trail is the only one to head south east to Crystal Springs, Pilgrim's Rest (not the town) and Bird's Eye View, before heading via Lily Pool to the Assegaai River.

Assegaai Tree Trail

If you're a tree fanatic, then the 1 km Assegaai Tree Trail will have you enthralled.