THE ABBOT PFANNER TRAPPIST TRAIL
“There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are
lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there,
if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa.” ©
lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there,
if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa.” ©
About you there is grass and bracken and you may hear the forlorn crying of the titihoya, one of
the birds of the veld. Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg
to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them,
the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand.” ©
the birds of the veld. Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg
to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them,
the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand.” ©
The Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail - the first long-distance pilgrimage trail in South Africa - has been established in the beautiful
southern regions of KwaZulu Natal, between the Southern Drakensberg, the Midlands Mistbelt and the Eastern Cape.
Strung out across the hills and valleys between the Drakensberg and the sea are twenty-two Trappist missions, like the knots on a string of Rosary beads. Established over a century ago by extraordinary Trappist monks, led by Abbot Francis Pfanner,
the Mission churches are hidden treasures that we want to share with the world.
The trail will eventually extend for ± 250 km through stunning countryside, farms, grasslands and forests, home of the rare Blue Swallow, Cape parrot, Purple-crested Lourie (gwalagwala) and the Black-winged Plover (titihoya).
southern regions of KwaZulu Natal, between the Southern Drakensberg, the Midlands Mistbelt and the Eastern Cape.
Strung out across the hills and valleys between the Drakensberg and the sea are twenty-two Trappist missions, like the knots on a string of Rosary beads. Established over a century ago by extraordinary Trappist monks, led by Abbot Francis Pfanner,
the Mission churches are hidden treasures that we want to share with the world.
The trail will eventually extend for ± 250 km through stunning countryside, farms, grasslands and forests, home of the rare Blue Swallow, Cape parrot, Purple-crested Lourie (gwalagwala) and the Black-winged Plover (titihoya).
The pilgrimage will start at Mariannhill Monastery and the burial place of Abbot Francis Pfanner. The bus will take us to Reichenau Mission for a special blessing. This was the first satellite mission built by the Trappists in 1886, about 18 km from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. From Reichenau the trail meanders through rural villages and country towns, visiting 8 of the historical Trappist missions, each with a beautiful church designed by Brother Nivard Streicher, a humble German monk, over a century ago.
The missions include Kevelaer, Centocow, Lourdes, Emaus, Maria Hilf, Mariathal and Einsiedeln, before arriving at the ‘Mother Mission’ at Mariannhill near Pinetown 8 days later.
As you follow in the footsteps of the Trappist monks and Sisters of the Precious Blood, who served at the missions, you will learn about the history of the Trappists and their missions; fascinating folk-lore and legends, the landscape, and the fauna and flora of this wonderful trail. We promise you stunning walking, through gorgeous landscapes in what Alan Paton described in Cry the Beloved Country as “the fairest valley in Africa.” Some of the landscape is ancient and sacred and you might see the shy gwalagwala bird with its brilliant colours, which in Swaziland, only members of the Royal are allowed to wear. Your trail guide is familiar with the plants, folklore and much of the history of the trail and knows a lot about the 8 historic Mission churches you will visit.
Note: This is a challenging trail, not so much because of the daily distances, but because it passes through remote, rural areas with no access to taxis or other transport, and very few villages. Some of the small, rural villages have a tuck shop - called a Spaza - which sell cold drinks and sweets but are little more than a lean-to shack. Although there is a back-up bus it is not possible to support the group on more than 20% of the trails and walkers need to be able to carry their water and snacks each day.
Next walk:
9 days from 21 - 29 September Group Leader Jenny Rooks [FULLY BOOKED - waiting list]
6 days from 4 - 9 October: A slower 'Walk-and-Ride' doing ± 10km per day. Group Leader Syl Nilsen
9 days from 13 - 21 December: Group Leader Jon Stevens
9 days 22 - 30 March 2019: Group Leader Jenny Rooks [FULLY BOOKED - waiting list]
9 days in July 2019
This walk includes the Creighton Aloe Festival and a 3 hour train ride from Creighton to Riverside.
9 days in September 2019
email aptta@mweb.co.za for more information.
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DETAILS OF THE WALKS
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SEPTEMBER ITINERARY [November has the same itinerary]
21 : 6am – meet at Mariannhill. Bus to Reichenau, visit the mill and have a blessing in the Church. Start walking by 9 am-9.15 am - overnight at Ashtonvale Guest Farm 22 : Ashtonvale to Kevelaer – overnight at Belmont at Donnybrook 23 : Belmont to Myddelton Farm – overnight at Myddelton Farm 24 : Myddelton Farm to Centocow Mission. Overnight at Centocow Mission 25 : Centocow Mission to Riverside – overnight at Centocow Mission 26 : Enyanisweni to Lourdes Mission – overnight at Emaus Mission. 27 : Lourdes to Emaus Mission - overnight at Emaus Mission 28 : Emaus Mission to Ntlambamasoka (last village before Umzimkulu). Drive to Maria Hilf – Overnight at Korongo Valley 29 : 7 am - walk last section to Mariathal (± 12 km). Visit Einsiedeln – drive back to Mariannhill , tour of Mariannhill monastery and visit Abbott Pfanner’s grave. Presentation of certificates in the church 
Mariannhill Monastery - the 'Mother Mission' outside Pinetown -
final resting place of Abbot Francis Pfanner HOW TO GET TO THE START With the group: Meet at Mariannhill at 6am. Cars can be parked there safely for the duration of the walk. Accommodation at Mariannhill: In the retreat (031 7004288) or Tre Fontane http://trefontane.co.za/ From King Shaka airport: Underberg express has a shuttle to Bulwer and Underberg for R600 (€41 - $50 - £36) http://www.underbergexpress.co.za/ From other Provinces: Reichenau is 18 km from Underberg and 25 km from Bulwer. Cost ± R8950 pp tbc (€580, $715, £505) Walk-and-Ride in October ± R6000 APT Trail badges R30: t-shirts R100: and golf shirts R130, are available |
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