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.” ©
First group of 2023!!
Join the fabulous 8 night/9 day Trappist Trail from 7 - 15 May.
Meet at Mariannhill (you can safely park your car there). If you come from out of town you can spend a night in the Retreat House at Mariannhill Monastery the night before.
Our hired bus will drive you through the scenic KZN countryside to Donnybrook, 2 nights at the beautiful Belmont. Then a night at Middleton Farm, 1 night at the tranquil Centocow Mission, 2 nights at the devotional Emaus Mission and 1 night at the gorgeous Kings Grant Retreat.
Transport to and from the start, accommodation, most meals incl lunches. Donations to the 8 Missions we visit are included in the price of R11 500
Scenic trails through indigenous forests, farmlands, veld and vlei small villages and Alan Paton's most beautiful valley. Luggage transfers so all you have to carry is a day pack and trail snacks.
Contact [email protected] or Whatsapp Hlengiwe at 073 709 6966 for a registration and indemnity form. (or download one below).
Spaces are limited so don't delay!
Book your place here.
Join the fabulous 8 night/9 day Trappist Trail from 7 - 15 May.
Meet at Mariannhill (you can safely park your car there). If you come from out of town you can spend a night in the Retreat House at Mariannhill Monastery the night before.
Our hired bus will drive you through the scenic KZN countryside to Donnybrook, 2 nights at the beautiful Belmont. Then a night at Middleton Farm, 1 night at the tranquil Centocow Mission, 2 nights at the devotional Emaus Mission and 1 night at the gorgeous Kings Grant Retreat.
Transport to and from the start, accommodation, most meals incl lunches. Donations to the 8 Missions we visit are included in the price of R11 500
Scenic trails through indigenous forests, farmlands, veld and vlei small villages and Alan Paton's most beautiful valley. Luggage transfers so all you have to carry is a day pack and trail snacks.
Contact [email protected] or Whatsapp Hlengiwe at 073 709 6966 for a registration and indemnity form. (or download one below).
Spaces are limited so don't delay!
Book your place here.
| apt_trail_registration_form_2023.pdf |
The pilgrimage will start at Mariannhill Monastery and the burial place of Abbot Francis Pfanner. The bus will take us to Donnybrook for the first night. 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. |
The magnificent stained glass at Centocow Mission tells the complete story of Abbot Francis Pfanner founder of Mariannhill, Chief Sakayedwa of Polela who asked him to build a Mission near Underberg, the Sisters of the Precious Blood that he founded in 1885, and his successors.
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