ORANGE

SHADOWS WALKING VIA SPRING POOL, FOREST

Easy trail runs below a sandstone wall with great views of Lesotho and to a lovely picnic a spot. Trail leads you to a scenic area with a rock pool which you can swim in and through a small forest area.

 Distance:  1. 39 km          Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain:  58 m       Elevation Loss: 58 m

Approx time:  30 min        Max Elevation: 1 768 m

LIGHT BLUE

WATERFALL, VORTEX, FOREST, RIVER

Stroll past a dam to the epi centre of the VORTEX (YES the farm is an energy portal), into a forest, and up to a spectacular overhang of multi-coloured sandstone from which our beautiful seven story high waterfall descends (summer months only). Then down along the waterfall spring to a level meandering walk hugging the Caledon River. This must be our most diverse and spectacular hike.

 Distance:  5.11 km           Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain:  161 m      Elevation Loss: 161 m

Approx time:  1.5 hrs        Max Elevation: 1 784 m

GREEN

LABYRINTH, RIVER, OLD MILL

This short, very easy and most rewarding trail has a lot to offer. Stroll over the deck of our Old Mill (historic building), down to the river. Walk our 500 steps in and 500 steps out labyrinth designed for horses, then back up over the dam wall back to Old Mill Drift.

 Distance: 1.97 km            Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 37 m        Elevation Loss: 37 m

Approx time: 40 min         Max Elevation: 1 744 m

PINK

TROPHY ROCK VIA SPRING POOL

Easy walk for novice hikers with a scenic trail leading you past a natural spring pool which you can swim in, and passing the oddly shaped Trophy Rock. A nice trail for pets as you pass two streams along the way.

Distance:  2.42 km           Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain:  128 m      Elevation Loss: 128 m

Approx time:  1 hr            Max Elevation: 1 841 m

RED

TOP OF OUR WORLD

This trail takes you to the top of the mountain. As you walk along the edge you have spectacular 360° views of the Lesotho, Old Mill Drift and over to Clarens. The initial climb is taxing but flattens off on the top of the mountain.

 Distance: 7.8 km             Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain:  419 m      Elevation Loss: 419 m

Approx time:  3 hrs          Max Elevation: 2 130 m

Travel east across five farms to where the road crosses over the river. Loose yourself along 14km of winding Caledon River to the most idyllic place just before the river crossing – a truly beautiful, spiritual place. Your backdrop is a magnificent 20 storey high vertical sandstone wall, truly where the eagles soar. Venture further to bushmen paintings and humble shepherds kraal.

(Pentad: 2835¬_2825) There are over 100 bird species in the area:
Large birds that soar around the crags of Old Mill Drift include Black Stork, Bald Ibis, Cape Vulture, Black and Martial Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Lanner. The endangered Bearded Vulture is the bird everyone associates with our Maluti Mountains. Black and Alpine Swift are common species spotted in our skies. Highland species are Sentinel and Cape Rock-Thrush, Drakensberg Siskin, African Rock Pipit, Grey-wing and Redwing Francolin, Mocking Cliff- and Buff-streaked Chat, Wailing and Lazy Cisticola, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Malachite, Ground Woodpecker, Wing-snapping (Ayre’s), Greater Double-collared and Southern (Lesser) Double-collared Sunbird and Orange-breasted Rockjumper. At night, you are sure to see or hear one of our owl species.

Go anywhere off-road or follow one of our trails.

1. Old Mill Drift Mountain Pass / Level 4
Extreme terrain, a grade 3/4 that goes over the mountain to Rebellie and on to R712 back to Clarens Approx. 45km from the farm over the mountain to Rebellie and Bokpoort, then left just before Clarens (R711) and back to farm (or back to the farm descending the mountain).

2. Madala’s
Copy to follow
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3. Pilgrims Rest / Level 2
A beautiful easy scenic drive for beginners from OMD, east across five farms to where the road crosses over the river (the start of the trail to Rebellie and Monansa) to an idyllic picnic spot just before the river crossing – a truly beautiful spiritual place.
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4. Worlds End / Level 3
The road takes you over the mountains to where you can go no further. Drive straight past where you turn left to go up the Old Mill Drift Mountain Pass. In the region of about a 4 – 5 hr. drive to the end and back to the farm.
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5. Monansa Border Post / Level 3/4
Depending on river crossing.
Over the Caledon river, a natural river crossing winding up some incredible terrain and out at Monansa border post (passports required to exit), past Phuthaditjhaba and back via Golden Gate. A 154km round trip from the farm past Clarens and back to the farm.
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6. Old Mill Level 5
A short technical trail on one of our mountains east of the accommodation.
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Old Mill offers a variety of local fishing experiences for all ages and all skill levels. Fish the mighty Caledon, some of the best river fishing in South Africa and Lesotho. Of the species caught are Large- and Smallmouth Yellowfish, Rainbow Trout, Black Bass and Carp in the surrounding dams.
Most venues are catch and release.

The water:
Our 14 km’s of river frontage provides both fast and slow waters, flowing into large rocky pools
with eddies.

The farm land has yielded quartz crystals, dinosaur fossils and bushmen paintings.

Zeolite crystals delight rock collectors and reward eagle-eyed hikers.

– Horse Spelling
– Enduro Horse Riding

Bring your own horse for a well-deserved break. Gallop tracks, and trails aplenty.

Come and train for that enduro race or simply offer variety to your stale or happy horse.

Stabling available.

Our mountain biking trails are a work in progress but we are sure that you if you have an adventurous exploring spirit, you will be well rewarded. With over 665ha to explore, whether you care for a gentle bumble along our 14km of river frontage or seek big climbs for those in rigorous training, you are sure not to be disappointed.

Diverse, beautiful picnic spots for a day out to remember for everybody, young and old to spend memorable, quality time together. Set up at one of our many sites along the river so the kids can swim and build rafts, or cool down in the pools in the mountains along one of our 4 natural springs.

Bonfires

All units are equipped with either a fire pit or fire urn, granting access to the essential element fire – the perfect setting for a romantic evening or
a group singalong.

With scenery as beautiful as it is fascinating, Old Mill Drift offers eventful and memorable adventure trails.

BYO, we do not supply bikes.

This remote location where the sky is free of pollution and ambient light is sure to reveal a nocturnal rainbow of stars which display themselves with astounding clarity. Be sure to catch a shooting star, search for supernovas and black holes, skies which will absorb your attention and reveal all the wonders of the southern skies. Observe stellar constellations and neighbouring galaxies where the Milky Way swathes the sky. A stunning celestial treat with unobstructed views of a surreal and magical night sky. 

For the adventurous, bask naked in remote hidden natural pools high in the mountains or picnic next to the Caledon river where the kids can swim or build rafts with natural materials. Teach the kids how to play “kleilat”, start a mud fight or sculpt a keepsake with clay from the banks of the river. The stuff memories are made of…