RAVENNA HIKING TRAILS & FARM WALKS MAPS AVAILABLE AT RECEPTION

All walks start at the chicken den

ORCHARD WALK: (30-45 MINUTES) Follow the RED arrows from Chicken hok

An easy walk amongst Nectarine, Peach and Apricot orchards. Experience the changing of the seasons throughout the year: Springtime, is a time for the trees to put forth buds, leaving a magnificent display of dark and light pink blossoms In summer, the trees are covered with new bright green leaves, and you can see the new fruit developing. Our fruit is known for its high sugar content and good flavor due to the sunny and healthy warm climate for the Little Karoo. During autumn, the leaves turn yellow and orange and the trees start shedding their leaves. In winter, it is time to prune and shape the trees to ensure good growth in spring.

SUCCULENT WALK:

“Quarri bos” (15 MINUTES) Follow YELLOW arrows from Chicken Hok – turn around at green water tanks

Aunt Minni Nel planted the semi-indigenous garden’s succulents in front of Thorn Tree cottage about fifty years ago. She gathered them from all over the Little Karoo. Past the original chicken “hok” towards the reservoir, more succulents can be seen amongst the rocks. In springtime the ‘VYGIES” are in full bloom leaving a magnificent display of purple flowers in patches everywhere.  In front of the old chicken  ” hok “, you will find aloes and spekbos all along the side of the main building.  Spekbos are excellent food for cattle and sheep.

KAROO BUSHVELD WALK: (1 HOUR) Follow BLUE arrows from chicken hok.

This is a lovely trail along rugged Karoo koppies and renosterbushveld. Follow the BLUE arrows from the Chicken hok, turn left at Sage and Thyme bridge to the Gate of the large house called Eden. Then walk up the koppie along the Ravenna boundary fence to the top and enjoy the view of the farm and mountains. Take a nice Sundowner and enjoy it at leisure

Best time is in Spring and early summer. To make this trail even more unique, try to be on the top of the highest koppie just before sunset. To experience an unforgettable moment, remember a sundowner and a warm jacket!  To the North you can see the Klein Swartberge and if the skies are clear the highest peak of the Matroosberg.  To the South lies the majestic Langeberg.  To the west is the town of Montagu and fruitful valleys in between.  To the East Karoo koppies and more Langeberg. (30 minutes from the main house to the top of the highest koppie.) Go back the way you came and then walk along the dam wall back to the main house.

WATERFALL WALK: (20 MINUTES) Follow WHITE arrows from Chicken hok, walk starts at Thorntree bridge

An unexpected surprise just 15 minutes away.  This walk takes you along the “Leibeurt” where we used to get our fresh water from the mountain.  Every farmer gets a certain amount of hours to fill his dam.  The walk ends at a lovely waterfall with beautiful rock formations.  Unfortunately the waterfall only flows when it rains too much. The farmers decided to put the water in a pipeline to save more water especially in the summer months. Wear long pants as it is overgrown in parts.

“Boesmangat” Koppie (1h30 MINUTES) Follow WHITE arrows just before the Ravenna Sign at the bottom of the dirt road

The succulent trail starts opposite the “Ravenna sign”, down the dirt road.  This is only for the more adventurous hikers.  (Most of the way you have to make your own path) It is recommended that you wear long socks or jeans.  Where the climb gets steep, look out for a variety of succulents growing in cracks and from underneath the sandstone rocks.  The view from the top is magnificent and worth the climb

FYNBOS HIKING TRAIL: (2 HOURS)

Follow GREEN arrows from Chicken Hok

A beautiful trail up the lower slopes of the Langeberg Mountain. Fairly easy walk among lovely indigenous Fynbos.  The trail starts at the chicken hok.  Follow the road up past the veggie garden and green water tanks. On the way back you will pass the neighbours house and end up at the Ravenna entrance wall. (Please close any gates). Map available at reception.

LANGEBERG HIKING TRAIL: (3-4 hrs if fit)

Follow YELLOW arrows from Chicken hok

For those who love nature and hiking in the mountains, this trail hooks up with the Swellendam hiking trail in the Marloth Nature Reserve.  Take the same road as for the fynbos trail mentioned above.  Follow the yellow arrows all the way, then follow them down over the log bridge, turn left immediately and walk along the river until you see another yellow arrow. Turn right and follow the trail. You have to go through two wire fences and eventually you will get to a road going up the mountain.  This part starts to get a bit steep but keep on going it is worth it when you get to the top.  There is water at the top but do take water with for the first part of the hike. It takes about 2-3 hours to get to the first cabin from our farm. Map available at reception.

Variations of the Fynbos hiking trail: Map at reception

Pink walk 45 mins if fit

Orange walk 1 hour if fit