The Somerset East parkrun has become a popular outdoor activity for both locals and visitors to this beautiful Karoo Heartland town. But the parkrun hasn’t just created a Saturday morning outing, it’s also created a fantastic safe hiking trail option for the town. What is better than one trail? Two trails, as you can do the whole 5km route or opt-out about halfway.

The best place to leave your car is at the Somerset East Golf Club which is also the start/finish point for the parkrun. Have a look at the lower dam before heading up the hill towards the Bestershoek Dam on the edge of the forest. It is said that after good rains no less than 16 waterfalls are visible against the Boschberg.

The route crosses along the dam wall with the view being the Boschberg mountain overhead and the forest coming right down to the water’s edge with the sound of wind in the trees and the stream flowing over the rocks. At the far end of the dam take the path east following the cascading stream down to where you cross over it.

Visitors would be amazed doing this walk as forest, streams, lots of green, the cool air and all the little things you encounter along the way are often very far removed from what people normally associate the Karoo with. It truly is anything but and that is one of the things that makes Somerset East such a special place.

At roughly the halfway mark of the parkrun route where it crosses the road you can turn off to go back towards the car or stay on the remaining section of the trail around the golf course.

For more information contact: Blue Crane Tourism on 079 068 1521 or email: bluecranetourism@gmail.com