Belvedere Trail Hiking Guide

The Belvedere Trail Hike has great Blyde River Canyon views where you can explore the abandoned Belevedere hydroelectric power station. You’ll hike down to the beautiful river at the bottom, and get views of Dientjie Falls.

The Belvedere Trail Hike Basics:

• Hiking time: 5 hours
• Difficulty: Difficult 4/4
• Out-and-back hike, start by 12pm
• Cost per person: R60 entrance + R50 permit for Belvedere Day Walk. Cards accepted
• Location: Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Belvedere Day Walk is one of the most strenuous day hikes in Blyde River Canyon. For this reason, there are few people on the trail. This out-and-back trail heads straight down into the canyon to Blyde River. On the hike, you’ll pass the abandoned Belevedere hydroelectric power station and you’ll be rewarded with serene river views once you make it to the bottom.

Start at Bourke’s Luck Potholes facility and pay for both your entrance fee and request the extra R50 for the day walk. You must register and sign an indemnity form at the information center. You’ll also get a map from the receptionist with proof of payment for the day walk. Due to the difficulty of the trail, you must start by 12 pm and return by 5 pm.

Hiking the Belvedere Day Walk

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

You’ll first pass through the Bourke’s Luck Potholes on the Belvedere Hike. The hike is also called a “day walk.” Check these out now or plan to explore later. Stick to your left after the first bridge and you’ll notice the Belvedere Day Walk sign with a ladder, along with notice that the hike is for permit holders only. That’s you!

Hiking down Blyde River Canyon

The first 40 minutes of the hike is pretty flat as you’ll be walking on the top of the canyon. Afterward, you’ll have your first of 4 declines. (I mention 4 because you’ll notice these as you hike back up).

Follow the yellow footprints through and down the canyon.

Eventually, you’ll reach an old, paved road and a sign that shows that the trail has ended. Keep going down the canyon. First, you’ll pass the Belvedere hut and a sign for Dientjie Falls.

You can choose to take the Dientjie Falls (also out-and-back) trail now, later, or not at all. (We waited to do Dientjie Falls on our way back up the canyon, but we didn’t have enough time to reach them. We did 10 minutes then turned around as it was another descent into the canyon and I was pretty tired.)

You’re almost at the bottom! Keep following the very steep road.

Near the end of the trail, you’ll reach the Belevedere hydroelectric power station. The station was the largest power station of its kind in the southern hemisphere in 1911. It powered the gold crushers in the town of Pilgrim’s Rest.

You can peak into the abandoned building—be careful as there is a lot of broken glass around. After much googling on my part, I can’t say when the station closed.

In the canyon

The Belvedere hike guide suggests it’ll take you 2 hours to reach the end of the trail in the canyon. Going at a good pace, with only 1 short stop, it took us 2 hours (as moderate hikers). I read some reviews of people trail running the first part of the hike… Good luck if that’s your plan.

Walk past the bamboo trees to Blyde River for your rest. Take out your picnic and enjoy!

Budget 3 hours for your return on the Belvedere hike so be sure to leave the river by 1 pm. It took us closer to 2.5 hours to make it back up.

Belvedere hike Tips

Some parts of the trail are covered by tree shade but you’ll probably still want a hat, sun shirt, and obviously sunscreen.

Budget 2 liters of water per person on your hike. You’ll need it.

The earlier you start, the better your hike experience will be. Not only will you make sure you have time to hike around but also that you have enough time to rest for lunch!

Want more Blyde River Canyon Hikes?