The best view comes after the hardest climb

Yellowstone is a brand new, professionally cut hiking trail situated between Bethlehem and Clarens in the Free State province of South Africa and one I very much wanted to explore. A public holiday brought a great opportunity to enjoy nature and get in a little exercise

We were welcomed with a piping hot cup of coffee and muffins, wow, and chatted awhile with the owner before setting off and in minutes we'd stepped into another world

A favourite time of year for me is when the brown-veined white or Pioneer White butterfly migration occurs. They originate in the Karoo and Kalahari and as they fly in a north-easterly direction, they pause to feed and lay eggs along the way. Actually their flight is an emigration as they only fly one way and die at the end of their journey along the mozambique coast

Its not hard to understand why the trail is called 'Yellowstone'

Gorgeous rains have fallen in the Eastern Free State and the abundant flora and fauna is apparent even on the rocky mountain tops

A gentle walk brings you to the precipice where astonishing views await

And just when you think you've seen it all...

... you'll discover a natural rock pool with its own 'to die for' view

Any fuller and it'll be an infinity pool

Time to head down, down, down

Steps have been carved out for an easier descend over slippery rocks

The mountains are bleeding water, its been a long time coming

Welcome additions such as bridges, chains and the carved steps make for a comfortable and fun descend over tricky terrain

The Kipersol or Cabbage Tree belongs to a large family to which the well known Ginseng and Ivy belong. This family is also closely related to the Parsely family which includes vegetables and herbs such as carrots, fennel and parsley. The roots are succulent and the mashed roots have been used to treat Malaria. To find a Kipersol in the mountains of the Eastern Free State, where we can get temperatures of -12, gives testimony to the protection it must receive here

Every step you take draws the eyes away from the views to appreciate the small wonders

We were right up against the cliffs and in a veritable wonderland

Enjoying a sprinkle shower

Walk slowly and you can almost feel the spirit of the ancestors who inhabited these parts

The trail is well marked

What an stunning mushroom! It was roughly 20cm tall

The trail heads up the gorge and follows the stream

Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, you feel a caress. Water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing can stand against it

A cool idea, equipped with firewood too

Further up the gorge and the bridge has been dismantled by the rains. A bundu bash was in order to cross the stream

So typical of rain forests, ferns and fungi growing on the tree trunks, and such an unexpected treat for these parts

Of course there had to be a waterfall with all this water about...

And how can you not get into your birthday suit to enjoy a pure spring shower (shorts have been drawn to provide some modesty)

Refreshed and ready to tackle the ascent

A unique ladder to scale the rock-face

Time for some fun! The tires were full of rain water and made for interesting climbing

This is halfway up and then swings to the left for a shorter sharper ascent

On exit the trail hugs this huge sandstone before exposing the view

Talk about the best views after the hardest climb!

A perfect resting spot for a well deserved snack and water

"Walking, the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise" (Carrie Latet)

The brown trail is approximately 5.8km and can take up to 4 hours depending on fitness, the weather and how long you stop to admire all there is to admire. What a marvelous morning, cool, overcast, perfect walking conditions although it was a bit of a challenge in the wet. Don those boots and take yourself off to Myl8 Farm for an fantastic hiking experience