TRADING TEXTBOOKS FOR TRAIL MAPS

Maruné Nel

@muisnel14

 

Living life stress-free is one of the hardest things to do as a student in modern society. However, you can still create those stress-free moments where the only notifications you receive are from the birds overhead, the only deadlines are getting back before sunset, and the only marks you are chasing are the ones on a trail map.

 

For students at the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom Campus, that world is closer than you think. In fact, it is right on your doorstep. Nestled along the Mooi River and surrounded by wide-open highveld scenery, Potchefstroom offers some genuinely underrated hiking and outdoor spaces that most students either do not know about or simply never prioritise. Thus, we have compiled a list of the best spots to kick off your new stress-free hobby!

 

Kicking off strong, we have the Hartspad Adventure Trails. With a rating of 4.7, it is the go-to spot for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers in the area, and for good reason. Different trails are available on the premises for all skill levels, so whether you are a seasoned hiker or someone who has only ever walked to class and back home, there is something for you here.

 

Annika Coetzee, one of the hikers at Hartspad and a student at NWU, stated that she really liked the hike and how Hartspad offers a trail for every mood. She also mentioned how it is a very convenient distance from campus, even though you might have to drive.

 

If you have a dog, bring it along. The trail is a dog-friendly environment, which makes for a perfect excuse to borrow a friend’s pet and possibly drag them into hiking as well.

 

Hartspad also has an on-site cafe called Draaipunt, which, honestly, might be the best reward system for finishing a trail that has ever existed. The reserve is open on Mondays, Saturdays and Sunday mornings — meaning your weekend plans just wrote themselves.

 

Hartspad trail markers (Source: Hartspad Instagram).

 

For something a little more extraordinary, Lekwena Wildlife Estate along the N12 near Potchefstroom offers multiple hiking routes alongside actual game. As of date, these trails are available Tuesdays to Fridays from 07:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 07:00 to 11:00. This makes it the perfect spot if you prefer side questing midweek.

 

The estate houses have no predators, so you can focus on the core nature experience rather than staying sharp on survival instincts. You will, however, share the trail with a few bucks and other wildlife in a way that no campus walk can replicate. Darius Barnard, an avid hobby hiker and a full-time student at NWU, said, “I hike because it’s like taking a multivitamin without enduring the awful aftertaste. You feel like a new person just by being outside.”

 

Rated at a whopping 4.3, the estate also features a restaurant – with amazing food – where you can kickstart your trails and enjoy the views of roaming animals and a wide variety of beverages, making it the kind of place you can even drag your parents to when they visit. 

 

Photo of Lekwena Wildlife Estate, The Plaaskombuis (Source: Lekwena Wildlife Estate Instagram).

If you are willing to make a day trip of it, Koedoeslaagte Trail Park near Parys is absolutely worth the drive. Situated near the Vredefort Dome, the local UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest verified meteorite impact crater on Earth, the park offers anything from 1km to 30km hiking trails that wind along rivers and ridges with spectacular views. It is open daily and rated 4.8, making it one of the best trail experiences within reach of Potchefstroom.

 

The park itself offers accommodation and a bunch of other outdoor activities, like paddling in the river or even horse riding. The park also has picnic and social amenities for visitors to enjoy, so you can bring your entire friend group along and save on fuel costs.

 

The Vredefort Dome alone is a geological phenomenon that most South Africans have never visited despite it being right in their own backyard. Pair that with excellent trail infrastructure, amazing nature views, and a killer workout, and you can have a day or weekend outing that is genuinely hard to beat.

 

Koedoeslaagte Trail views of the Vredefort Dome landscape (Source: Koedoeslaagte Trails website).

 

Between test series scheduled over long weekends, late-night rehearsals, and the general pressure of university life, it is easy to forget that Potchefstroom has more to offer than what is visible from a residence window. The trails, the reserves, and the open spaces surrounding this town are not just recreational but also a much-needed escape.

 

Ilanri van der Westhuizen, a second-year BMI student at NWU, stated when asked about her favourite places to unwind that she found it very relaxing to go hike away from the busy student life with her friends. Even though they sometimes spend more time talking instead of walking. It is a peak student experience that everyone should try at least once. So, whether you lace up for the cafe at Draaipunt, the game at Lekwena, or just the silence of the highveld, consider this your sign. The textbooks will be there when you get back.

 

Edited by Genevieve Croeser