The Blue Grotto trail starts in the grounds of the Drakensberg Sun where we were staying and is the route marked in blue. This is a moderate hike of approximately 3 hours if one takes the full circular route and if you're a fit young hiker.
Route Map
However, running a BnB ever since retirement, literally has us running up and down the stairs to the guest units, so we're not as unfit as the concerned fledglings thought!
Their advice was that we stop at the first waterfall and take a slow stroll back, but we both enjoy a challenge so continued without any mishaps!
Crossing streams with only a suspension walkway, or boulders as stepping stones plus some steep inclines was quite a challenge, I'll admit!
The fledglings thought that their unfit 60 and 70-plus oldies would not even make the halfway mark to the Grotto, but they underestimated our determination...and curiosity as well!
The sound of water running was all around, with birdcalls everywhere; no wonder this is known as a birders paradise.
The son is in a contemplative mood, likely thinking of the perils ahead as he's walked this a couple of times. They're into Geocashing and wanted to check out what happened to their cache hidden at the Grotto as no one has seen it for a while, so this was not only about hiking.
What is Geocashing?
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
Source
The hike traverses through a stunning indigenous forest with easy paths but every so often there would be slightly steeper gradients, followed by some very steep sections with wooden logs placed securely to act as steps, but no handrails!
Ferns grow everywhere, even on old fallen tree stumps. The base of an interesting cliff in the bottom right.
These were the easy sections which we could walk through at a nice pace, but when it came to the steep sections, us oldies slowed down, but the young ones were very patient!
Sadly some graffiti!
A gigantic Lemonwood Tree that strangely is joined at the base, almost makes it look like a pair joining hands :)
We had to cross a couple of streams; one had a short suspension walkway while two others had nothing but boulders to use as stepping stones.
The last one was quite long and a tad treacherous but there was a rope to hold onto for balance, although it was not taut, so we had to cross one by one!
We had forgotten to take our walking sticks, so the fledglings managed to find some natural walking sticks in the forest and they worked just as well as a commercial walking stick.
I was fascinated with this tree and the twisted branch growing around it.
This black fungus which is commonly known as Coal Fungus is called Daldinia Concentrica and grows on dead wood branches.
Gigantic Mushrooms also growing on a fallen tree stump, thriving here in the forest.
This creeper is known as the Delairea Odorata and also does well on dead tree branches.
This was the second waterfall and it was soothing sitting there listening to the sound of the water cascading down into a deep pool. The water however still is not flowing as strong as it would during the rainy season which has not started properly.
And finally the Blue Grotto...but I have to confess, we stopped at the last waterfall and let the younger generation walk further as it was getting late and we did not want to slow them down.
The last section is steep with a narrow path, way more treacherous with a sheer cliff to the side of the pathway and nothing to hold onto, so if you slip, there's only one way and that's all the way down to the stream full of boulders!
What a sight though, and next time we visit that area we will leave earlier, or perhaps join the guided walk arranged by Drakensberg Sun, as it does the circular blue route as per the map and passes Barry's Grave. I'm sure we will learn a bit more from the experienced local guides as well!
A short way past the Blue Grotto, one finds the grave of Dick Barry, one of the early mountaineering pioneers.
Dick tragically fell to his death in 1938 at the very young age of 22 while making an attempt to reach the summit of Monk's Cowl.
The blue route then takes one along the road back to Drakensberg Sun and ends up at the lake.
We made our way back along the same route which was much easier going as it was mostly downhill, but the fledglings caught up with us at about the halfway mark.
We also met up with a family of Egyptian Geese who had their own little fledglings impatiently going ahead of Mom and Dad!
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Am I the single one who sees the place where the waterfall is (especially in the first picture), as having a skull in the whole landscape and the water looks like the tears from the eyes?
You're not the only one seeing it, that was exactly my thoughts @gabrielatravels!
Almost like a forewarning as this is not far from the sight where the mountaineer sadly fell to his death.
Nice seeing you again 🤗
That's incredible! Nature is amazing for sure! Thanks, hope you have a nice day! ☺️🤗
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That's a gorgeous spot, @lizelle! I would love to explore that area. I'm all about the waterfalls at the moment, so this makes me smile seeing your adventures! I hope I'm still getting out and about exploring well into my silver years. :)
I recorded a short video of that waterfall but wasn't sure how to add the video to the post, the water sounded amazing.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🤗
Oh wow! What I wouldn't give to hike in such a place. The trees, the ferns, and the landscape are stunning. I'm so happy that you had this time. You deserve it.🙂
Awe thank you my friend, how awesome would it be having you on this hike! It was a great experience as I thought we were past the age of hiking, but you're never too old to still have fun and enjoy life not so!
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You had a great time my friend, lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
We missed you guys, kept on thinking how you would have enjoyed this hike, it was just awesome!
I'm sure, it looks awesome, glad you got to spend some time with Dean and Andy. You also needed the rest. Thanks for sharing my friend
What a nice place
It was awesome indeed!
Great! 😍 People were smart to tie the rope over the stream so everyone could go more safely. I will tell this great idea to the people in my hometown. In my hometown, there are many big streams.
Thank you for sharing ❤️
It is a great idea, that rope certainly helped, especially us oldies whose balance is not so good anymore!
Thank you for the visit, glad you enjoyed it 😊
You totally convinced me to check the spot, next time we go to SA! It looks freaking amazing, I would love to shoot a music video there!