Hiking Trail 2

• Hiking Trail 2 abt. 20,0 km
• Shortcut A     abt. 12 km
• Shortcut B     abt. 18 km

Please take along:

• sufficient drinks
• a lunch package
• a radiotelephone
• the keys for the Mubib hut

This hiking trail is a good 20 km long and will probably take the whole day. It leads through a hilly region between the Otjipatera mountain range and the white marble hills. There are several possible shortcuts which may be taken by following the dry river beds to the left, until one reaches the »Alte pad« and then keeping left you will arrive back at the Lodge. Later we shall describe two especially interesting possibilities for shortcuts.

When planning this trail, do remember to take enough drinking water, a packed lunch and if so desired, the key for the »Mubib« refuge hut. It is possible to borrow small rucksacks and water bottles from the Lodge.

Along this trail there is a good chance you will see the Hartmann's mountain zebra, Kudu, Klipspringer, Rock dassies and quite a number of different birds.

The trail starts immediately behind our museum before leaving the Lodge grounds. Follow the fence on the trail to the left for about 500 meters where there is a junction again towards your left, which is marked »Klippspringer Pad«. Follow this track and you will see the Lodge on your left as well as the marble breakwaters in the riverbed.

After a while you will come to the trail cut into the marble hill, which you have probably already seen from the Lodge.
As you follow the main trail, you will notice a sidetrack going uphill, from where a lovely view over the Lodge grounds can be seen. As you continue on the main track for about 5km you will reach the large »Etusisdamm« which will be worth your while to climb up to. Shortcut (A) starts from this point 

and will be described later. About 2 km further on the main trail you will come to the »Window of Etusis« which is a breathtaking panorama of the hills to your left into the Savannah.
 

1,000 meters further you will have another excellent view. It is not difficult to guess, which of the mountains near the horizon is named the »Hottentotten Church«. After another kilometer you will reach a rather large riverbed. (This is where the short cut (B) begins). You may want to leave the main hiking trail before going on as to your right you will see the remains of an old copper mine a short way off – but do be careful not to fall down as it is extremely deep.

Here you can follow the riverbed to where two rivers converge; and you can choose to take the river to the left which will take you to one of the few natural springs, surrounded by nine old fig trees and reeds. This extra little detour, however, will require an additional 20 minutes to climb up and the same time to come down. Back on the main track, you will reach a junction to the left with a road sign showing »Klipspringer Pad« behind you and »Schulteposten« ahead. Turn left here.
Disregarding a track to the right, continue for another kilometer and you will reach a junction to the left, which you should follow. About 1,000 meters ahead you will pass a track to your right with a road sign saying »Mamba Pad«.

After a short while your trail will pass through an old glimmer mine. About 700 meters from there you will be able to see the refuge hut »Mubib« which is a pleasant place to rest.
 

Approximately 500 meters ahead you will find the Skeleton of a Zebra on the right, which was caught in a poacher's snare some distance off and died here in agony. You will notice the snare on the bones of the hind foot. 

About 3 km further on you will once again pass a junction marked "Mamba Pad". Continue straight ahead until you reach another junction some 500 meters further to the left indicating »Zebra Pad«. There is an old Shepherd's hut, which looks like a tollhouse on the crossroad. At this point you will have to make a choice between the two tracks, both of which will lead you back to the Lodge, and which are about the same distance. The tracks run parallel divided only by a range of hills. The left track is more charming, but the direct way passes through the rough foothills, which gives one the impression that the world has just been created 

On the original track, after some 500 meters you will pass an old tourmaline mine on your left, and a little later you will have to pass through a gate in the fence. Another kilometer brings you to a really beautiful view of the wide Savannah in front and the Otjipatera mountain range to the left. You will pass another gate about 600 meters further. Both of these gates should remain closed.
Two kilometers ahead there is a junction to your left marked »Zebra Pad« where the two parallel tracks meet again.  At this point, only a few meters away to your left you will find the old grave of a Herero chief who lived over a hundred years ago.

As you continue on the trail along the fence you will see the Ledermann house on your left. At the end of the fence, turn right; pass through the large car and machine port to reach the Lodge again.

About 5 km from the Lodge, after climbing the impressive »Etusisdamm«, you do not return to the original trail but instead you follow the river until you reach the »Zebra Pad«. Carry on for about 5 km to the left until you reach the Herero chief's grave (as described in the main trail guide) and the junction. Follow the fence on your right and pass the Ledermann house on your left until. Turn right at the end of the fence and pass through the large car and machine port to reach the Lodge again. This trail has a total length of about 12 km.
 

This short cut leaves the main trail after about 9 km (where the old copper mine is). You will have to climb down the river bed to your left until you pass the windmill and get to the refuge hut »Mubib«. It is worthwhile taking a rest there. Continue following the trail on your left until you meet the main hiking trail which you can follow as described in the hiking trail No.2 guide.
This trail is about 18 km in length