Prospector's Trail - Natural Beauty and Historical Interest
The Prospectors Hiking Trail is another of South Africa’s hidden treasures found in Pilgrim’s Rest, an old gold mining town in Mpumalanga. This five-day hiking trail can be broken up into smaller parts if you don’t have the luxury of getting away for as long as that.
The first stretch of the five-day Prospector's hike is from Pilgrim’s Rest to Morgenzon, 12,6Km in all. On your arrival to this historically rich town you can settle yourself down at the Pilgrim’s Rest hut where all the necessities you need can be found before you explore the rest of the area. The next day you will be taken through the town and have ample opportunity to visit a few historical areas before crossing the Blyde River toward Peace Tree Creek. To give you the whole early digger experience, you will follow their paths past several mines and from there ascend into the Protea veld and indigenous forest area to the next hut, called Morgenzon. Here you will find bunk beds, toilets, braai area with firewood, but in carrying on with the theme no electricity will be provided along with only cold showers.
From Morgenzon Hut you can either return to Pilgrim’s Rest Hut, making it a two-day hike or carry on to Blackhill and Excelsior huts, approximately 41,3Km long in total. This part of trail takes you to the Morgezon forest station where you then cross the Clewer stream down the old supply route to Pilgrim’s Rest. From there you will descend to Clewer Falls, along the stream and through the indigenous forest until you reach the historical wagon path. Again you will descend into a valley before climbing steeply past the waterfalls to Blackhill hut. Here you will find the same facilities as Morgenzon hut. From Blackhill lookout to Excelsior Hut is only a short 10Km hike and is the easiest of all the days. You start off with a climb to the Blackhill viewpoint, which then descends into a valley and through Pine plantations. The trail leads you to another look out point where you can view the Crystal Springs and Themeda Hills. From here you will descend and arrive at waterfalls and pools and then ascends to a viewpoint overlooking the Origstad Valley. The trail then leads you to Excelsior Hut for a well-deserved rest.
The next day it would be good to get an early start, as 15,7Km need to be covered to reach Morgenzon Hut. You begin with a climb to a viewpoint where you will pass through a Pine plantation, eventually descending into an area containing beautiful Clivia’s. You carry down into the valley to a stream and follow the old wagon track. On the pathway you will pass the Jock of the Bushveld plaque as well as the Robbers Pass Plaque. You follow the stream to Klipspringer Randjies and then back to Morgenson Hut.
The final part of the trail, from Morgenzon back to Pilgrim’s is a fairly easy hike allowing ample opportunity for you to carry on your explorations of the town. However, before you can get there you will pass the Columbia Race, a furrow that supplies water to the Columbia Mine, along the Blyde River before a short walk back to Pilgrim’s rest. Altogether the Prospector’s trail really allows for both historical and natural enlightenment, definitely something to keep in mind for the next holiday getaway!
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