Walks to keep the tails wagging

Walkies! One word that will rouse even the laziest lap dog. For my Schnauzer Bart and my bearded collie Ben, that word leads to chaos and excitement. The dogs often mistake the sound of car keys jangling for their leashes, and they come running with expectant looks on their faces.

Once dogs have become part of your family (we all know how quickly that happens), it breaks your heart to leave them with a house sitter or in a kennel when you go hiking over weekends.

Luckily there are some trails where your four-legged friends are welcome, like the Elangeni Trail near Emgwenya (Waterval-Boven) and the Blue Wildebeest Hiking Trail near eManzana (Badplaas). You might encounter game on both trails, so your dogs need to be on a leash at all times. Still, you’ll have the time of your life – together.

ELANGENI TRAIL (25 KM)

You start at the Klipspringer Huts in the reserve and walk up the densely vegetated Elands River Valley for about 2 km. The trail then cuts across