Ground The Venue Hiking Trails: How It Went…

I’m standing at the first high point when I feel it starting. Nothing dramatic, nothing that announces itself — just heat, and a faint pressure building somewhere behind my nose. I press two fingers against the bridge, hold, and wait. A minute, maybe less. It passes before it becomes anything worth mentioning to the people around me.

I left Centurion just after 06:00, tracing the N14 towards Krugersdorp with a coffee detour at the Total Petroport Lanseria South, where a Mugg & Bean cappuccino felt like a reasonable way to start a hike. 40 minutes later I turned into Ground The Venue, and even from the driveway you could tell this wasn’t your average trailhead — manicured, green, deliberate. It was still early, the lot mostly empty, and there was already that particular warmth in the air that tells you summer’s on its way, though none of us knew yet what the 2 koppies ahead actually had in store.

The kiosk sits under 4 oak trees, their canopy having clearly stood the test of time, throwing a wide patch of shade over the whole clearing. I paid for my hiking permit and met Richard, who talked me through the trail options and pointed me towards the toilets with the easy patience of someone who’s answered the same questions a hundred times. Everywhere I looked, Ground had that unmistakable upmarket polish — clipped lawns, spotless bathrooms, the kind of finish that tells you a wedding here doesn’t come cheap.

Back at the car, I went through the familiar ritual — trail runners, buff, hat — while the rest of the Centurion Hiking Club crew started arriving. Some faces I knew, some I didn’t. Membership cards scanned, names ticked off, the usual back-and-forth of “7 or 9?” repeating itself 20 times over until the full group had assembled. 17 of us set off on the 9km technical route, the other 3 on the shorter 7km. Not long into the hike, 2 of the 9km group realized the technical route might be more than they wanted and pivoted over to the 7km trail, settling the split at 15 and 5.

The trail opened out fast — open grassland, dry and brown, with only the odd scattered green tree. Underfoot it was loose dirt and dust. Behind me, the group’s chatter carried across the field — 15 people trading stories, in no rush to stop.

By the time we hit the base of the first koppie, it was hot. That first real preview of summer. I kept climbing.

At the top, I felt it land somewhere behind my nose before I registered what it was: a thin trickle of blood, nothing dramatic, just the heat doing what heat does at altitude. I could taste it more than see it.

Somewhere behind us, the 2 hikers who’d fallen behind early on — and swapped down to the 7km trail because of it — needed checking on. A fellow hiker doubled back to find them, but they’d already made it up to the high point under their own steam by the time he got there.

At the top, both groups came together for the group photo — 19 of us in frame, 1 behind the camera.

We crossed a shaded patch on the way to the 2nd koppie — a brief, welcome break from the sun before we started making our way up. This one, we more or less figured out as we went. The climb was much the same as the first: same grind, same open view stretching out over the Highveld, nothing dramatically different except that everyone’s legs knew it a little better this time. At the top, we looped back down without much ceremony.

By the time we hit flat ground again, we’d clocked just under 6km, and the group’s energy had shifted. Some of the stronger hikers and trail runners among us could easily have kept going, but most of the 15 — young and old, from the 2 kids who’d joined us to the club regulars — were quietly, happily done. A few had come expecting more of a fight from the “technical” label than the trail delivered. Fair enough. But nobody was complaining, and the kids were already talking about the restaurant. So that’s where we went.

We land at the Ground Restaurant, boots dusty, and find our way to a table already filled with hike members. Everyone orders something to drink, and for a while nobody’s in a hurry to be anywhere else. The conversation drifts — work, weekend plans, whatever’s on someone’s mind — the kind of talk that only happens once the effort’s behind you and there’s nothing left to do but sit, relax and take in the moment. 20 of us set off together on the trails and most of us are at this table enjoying one another’s company.

Afterwards, we wander past the vegetable garden on our way back to the parking lot, in no rush, the heat starting to properly settle in.

I’ll be upfront: the hiking trails were underwhelming. Zig-zagging up and down two koppies in close proximity is good exercise, but it’s not scenic, adventurous hiking. It’s closer to climbing stadium steps for a workout than following a trail for the views — the same field stretching out below each time.

The multiple ascents were the hard part, not the terrain itself. Nothing technical, nothing that needs a warning — just repetition in the heat.

Who this suits: anyone after an easy-to-moderate walk on a farm, with the option to add a koppie or two if you want to work a bit harder for it. It’s not built for hikers chasing a big view or a proper challenge.

Would I go back? Yes — but for a short stroll rather than the 9km loop, with breakfast or lunch at the restaurant as the actual goal.

By the time we’re done at the table, the group has already thinned out. The last of us popped in for a look at the vegetable garden before making our way to the parking lot. Last conversations, a few goodbyes. I grab what’s left of my trail snacks and something cold from the cooler for the drive home.

The trail didn’t give us much to talk about. The table did.

Practical Guide – Ground The Venue – Muldersdrift Gauteng

The Basics

• Location: Ground The Venue, Plot 19 Driefontein Road, Muldersdrift, bordering the Cradle of Humankind
• Ground The Venue on Google Maps 
• Trail options: 5 color-coded routes —
• Yellow — 4.1km, kid-friendly
• Green — 6.06km
• Red — 7.08km
• Blue — 8km
• Orange — 9km, technical
• Elevation gain (9km route): 301m, over 2 koppies
• Ground The Venue on Strava 
• Best time of year: All year — dress for the season.

Ground The Venue Hiking Trails Map

Getting There

• From Centurion: ~40 minutes via the N14 towards Krugersdorp.
• Coffee stop on route: Total Petroport Lanseria South, if you want a Mugg & Bean pit stop before the trail.
• Total Petroport N14 on Google Maps 
• Parking: Plenty of space, especially if you arrive early.

What to Expect

• The trails wind through open grassland and koppies, with landmarks along the way including The Beacon, The Lookout, and Bush Circle.
• The “technical” label on the 9km route refers to repeated climbing, not difficult terrain — no scrambling involved.
• Easy-to-moderate fitness level. A good option for a farm walk, with the choice to add elevation if you want more of a workout.

What to Bring

• 2L of water (no water sources on the trail)
• Sun protection, especially in summer
• A positive attitude
• There’s a large physical map at the kiosk where you pay for your permit — snap a photo of it before you set off. A downloadable version is also available on their website.

Good to Know

• Cell signal is available throughout the trail.
• No snakes or notable wildlife encounters to flag.
• No smoking on the trail — it’s fire season.
• Emergency contact on-site: Robyn, 084 230 4626.
• Round off the hike with breakfast or lunch at the Ground Restaurant.
• Nearby: Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, worth combining with your visit.

Cost and Booking

• Price: R60 per person (correct as of August 2026 — check the current rate before you go).
• Booking: No need to be part of a club — just rock up. Details at groundthevenue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions – Ground The Venue – Muldersdrift Gauteng

Are dogs allowed on Ground The Venue hiking trails?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the trails. Just keep them on a leash — it’s a shared farm, not a free-for-all, and other hikers (and the odd resident sheep or two) will thank you for it. Bring your own water and pick up after your dog; there’s nothing on the trail for either.

How much is the entrance fee for Ground The Venue hiking trails?
R60 per person, kids under 5 hike free. If you’d rather turn it into a proper morning out, there’s a R130 option that adds a takeaway breakfast roll and coffee from the café — worth it if you’re not planning to stick around for the restaurant afterwards like we did.

Do you need to book Ground The Venue hiking trails in advance?
No, not for a standard hike — just rock up and pay at check-in, same as I did. If you want the breakfast roll or the Friday burger-and-beer combo added on, that needs booking online beforehand so the café knows to cater for you.

Are Ground The Venue hiking trails suitable for prams and young children?
Yes — the shortest route (4.1km, yellow) is flat and pram-friendly, ideal if you’ve got little ones or an off-road stroller in tow. The longer routes, especially the 7km and 9km, bring in the koppies we tackled and are better suited to regular walkers who don’t mind a proper climb.

What are the opening hours for hiking at Ground The Venue?
Weekdays, check in at the café between 8:00 and 15:00. Weekends, it’s earlier — 6:30 to 11:30 at the hiking station.