Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve Hiking: The Bokmakierie Trail (10km, Near Heidelberg)

The grass is dry and colourless on either side of us, and the trail underfoot is hard-packed earth, dusty with every step. Four of us move through it in single file, poles clicking against stone, breath already a little short from the last climb. Somewhere ahead, another rise waits. There’s always another rise.

I picked up a fellow hiker in Centurion, and we headed out onto the R21, past O.R. Tambo, before slipping onto the N3 toward Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, just outside Heidelberg. The parking area was paved and somewhat tree-lined for shaded parking, with 2 security guards keeping an eye on things — told me somebody there takes it seriously.

It was a small group — 3 hikers plus me as lead, 4 in total. Suikerbosrand in winter tends to thin the numbers out: it’s cold, it’s a bit of a drive, and the trail doesn’t go easy on you. We waited until 08:15 to see if anyone else would pitch, but it stayed at 4. No problem — we all knew each other from previous hikes, 3 regulars and 1 still fairly new to the group, and the mood was easy. I ran through the basics — distance, the loop, elevation — we took a group photo next to the Bokmakierie sign, and we were off.

From the parking area we made our way past reception to the trailhead, where the Bokmakierie sign gave us our official start line and our group photo. The first stretch had some tree cover, but as the inclines began, the bush opened up into grassland and stayed that way. It didn’t matter — it was still early, still cool, and winter meant we weren’t fighting the sun for once.

There was nothing technical about the trail — no scrambling, no exposure — but it wasn’t flat either. A steady run of ascents and descents kept our legs honest, and we settled into a rhythm of walk, rest, walk. Early on we hit a bench at a high point with a proper view out over the reserve, and we took the excuse: water, snacks, photos, the works, before pushing on.

Not long after, on a descent, my body had its own opinion about the pace and let it be known — loudly, and without my permission. It didn’t go unnoticed. I apologised, it was a bit awkward in the moment, but nobody made a thing of it and we carried on. I’m laughing about it now just writing this.

Along the ridge we passed a few cairns, stacked up against the skyline like something out of an old boundary marker, and we stopped at one for a group photo — hiking poles and all. From up there the reserve just kept unrolling — over 11,500 hectares of it, more than 130 square kilometres of grassland and ridge, and from where we stood you could believe every bit of it. It’s home to zebra, antelope, and jackal, not to mention over 200 bird species. We saw none of it. Not a hoof, not a feather. Just us, the grass, and a whole lot of quiet.

Near the end, we reached a signpost pointing two ways, and for a moment I read it as 11km one way, 10km the other. A fellow hiker looked closer and corrected me — someone had scratched at the sign, and it actually read 17km and 10km. Vandalism, best guess, though not enough to send us the wrong way. We stuck to the 10km route and carried on.

If you’re waiting for the moment where the trail opens up and stops you cold, I have to be honest with you — it doesn’t happen. There are a few ascents along the way, some of them topping out at a cairn stacked against the sky, and each one is nice enough in its own right. But none of them are epic. No cathedral moment, no view that rearranges anything.

Part of that comes down to winter. The landscape out here is dry, dusty, and pale — the haze sitting low over the hills so even the far ridges look like they’re fading out. Pretty in a quiet way, but not the kind of pretty that stops a conversation.

What this hike gives us instead is something steadier: four people moving well together, a trail that keeps demanding a bit more without ever turning nasty, and no real drama to speak of. It’s the kind of hike that doesn’t hand you a moment — it just adds up.

Who’s this for? I’d call it moderate to hard, depending on your fitness. There’s nothing technical — no scrambling, no ropes — but the distance and the repeated ascents and descents add up. If you’ve done Hoogland, this sits in similar territory. Come reasonably fit, or the climbs will wear on you well before the 10km mark.

Was it worth it? Yes, easily. It had been 2 years since I was last out there, and I was curious to see how the place had held up. Not much has changed, if I’m honest — it still has that slightly run-down feel it had last time, worn signage and all. But that didn’t take away from the day. A big part of what makes a hike like this worthwhile isn’t the scenery, it’s the combination: good people, a day in nature, a good workout, and a few hours away from everything else.

What would I warn a friend about? Once you’re past the early tree cover, there’s very little shade, so sun and water matter even in winter. And keep an eye on the signage — as we found, it’s not always reliable, so it’s worth having a map on your phone rather than trusting the boards outright. I run Avenza Maps when I’m out there, which made tracking our progress straightforward even after 2 years away.

Would I go back? Definitely. Next time I’d consider the 17km option instead of the 10km.

Back at the car, gear off, I went looking for the toilet at the Diepkloof Farm Museum by the parking area — open when we arrived that morning, locked by the time we got back. Small inconvenience, minor mystery — Suikerbosrand keeping one last quirk in reserve for the drive home. We had our last chats, said our goodbyes, grabbed something cold for the road, and pointed the car back toward the N3.

No big finish, no moment that demanded a pause. Just four tired people, a locked toilet, and a hike that had done exactly what it said it would.

The Practical Guide – Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Bokmakierie Trail (10km)

The Basics

• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve on Google Maps
• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve on Strava 
• Elevation gain: 487m
• Duration: around 3 hours moving time; budget 4+ hours with breaks
• Best season: Year-round; winter mornings are cool and clear but offer little shade once past the first stretch
• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve on Avenza Maps

Getting There

• Just off the N3, near Heidelberg
• Parking is paved and partially shaded, with security on site

What to Expect

• No technical sections — no scrambling or exposure — but multiple ascents and descents throughout
• Very little shade once you’re past the early tree cover
• Trail signage isn’t always reliable — one sign along the route had been damaged and was hard to read accurately. Worth carrying a GPS backup

What to Bring

• Minimum 2L of water — this is a self-supported hike, no water sources on the trail
• Electrolyte drinks and hike snacks
• Personal first aid kit and any chronic medication
• Sun protection, even in winter
• Hiking poles (useful on the repeated climbs and descents)
• Check the weather before heading out — conditions can affect trail comfort

Good to Know

• Cell signal: Available on the trail
• Wildlife: The reserve is home to zebra, antelope, and jackal, plus over 200 bird species — though we didn’t spot any on this hike. General highveld snake caution applies
• Nearby: The Diepkloof Farm Museum sits right next to the parking area — a farmstead built in the 1850s by Voortrekker J.G. Marais, notable as one of the few pioneer homes in the region that survived the Anglo-Boer War. It’s also where the reserve’s toilets are, though we found them locked on our return, despite being open that morning — worth using them early rather than relying on them being open all day
• Friends of Suikerbosrand on Facebook

Cost and Booking

• R51 per adult, R39 per vehicle (correct at time of writing, July 2026)
• No booking required — walk-in

Emergency Contacts

• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve: 011 439 6300
• Midvaal Municipality Emergency: 016 360 7500
• Nationwide SOS: 112

Frequently Asked Questions – Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Bokmakierie Trail (10km)

Is the Bokmakierie Trail suitable for beginners?
No, the Bokmakierie Trail is generally not recommended for complete beginners due to its steep climbs and rugged, rocky terrain. While the path is technically straightforward, completing the 10-kilometer or 17-kilometer loops requires a moderate to high level of cardiovascular fitness. Beginners should try the shorter 4.5-kilometer Cheetah Trail first.

Where does the Bokmakierie Trail start?
The Bokmakierie Trail starts near the Diepkloof administrative offices and picnic site, located in the northwestern section of the reserve. Hikers must park and obtain their permits at the main office before heading behind the chalets to find the trailhead. Be careful not to confuse it with the nearby Cheetah Trail start.

Is there drinking water on the Bokmakierie Trail?
No, there are no clean drinking water points, taps, or natural streams along the Bokmakierie Trail. Hikers must carry all of their own water, with a minimum recommendation of two to three liters per person. The high-altitude ridges offer very little shade, making adequate hydration critical.

How much is the entrance fee for Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve?
The entrance fee for Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is R51 per adult, plus an additional vehicle entry fee of R39 per standard car. This is paid at the main entrance gate. It is always best to keep extra cash or a card handy at the gate.

What wildlife can you see on the Bokmakierie Trail?
Hikers on the Bokmakierie Trail can regularly spot large herbivores, including eland, zebra, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, and blesbok. The rocky ridges are also home to Chacma baboons, mountain reedbuck, and a diverse range of birds, including the vocal Bokmakierie bird for which the trail is named.