Belvedere Trail in Thaba Chweu Platteland, Mpumalanga

The Belvedere Hiking Trail is situated in Graskop in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The trail starts at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, about 35 km away from Graskop, and ends at the old Belvedere Hydro Electric Power Station. At its time in 1911, it was the largest power station of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a 10 km hike and will take approximately five hours. With steep, up and down gradients this hike is regarded as one of the most satisfying walks in the region and is rated “moderately difficult” so is not for the unfit hiker!

The trail follows a path into the Blyde River Canyon and offers plenty of beautiful scenery including waterfalls and rock pools. The canyon walls and river exude beauty, so take the time to catch your breath and take in the surroundings along this trail. It can at times be a little overgrown so be sure to watch out for the markers so not to get lost. Hikers are not permitted to start the trail later than 11am, so make your booking and pack your backpack with water, sunscreen, camera and binoculars and set off early.

Things to do and see

• Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• Blyde River Canyon Reserve
• Waterfalls
• Rock pools
• Belvedere Hydro-electric power station

Admission

Please contact Graskop Tourist Information Office or Bourke’s Luck Potholes directly to confirm the price of the permit for this trail and to make a booking.

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the mid-summer months, with December and January seeing the highest levels. 

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 26˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 5˚C and 20˚C.

Transport

There are daily flights from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town into the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mombela (Nelspruit). Car rental companies are available for easy access to the surrounding areas with Graskop being just over an hour away along the R537. Road trips from Johannesburg to Graskop via the N12 and N4 will take a little over 4 hours.