The Maskam Mountain Ritual

Hey fellow explorers,

If you’ve been following LekkerSpots for a while, you know the VW Polo usually heads out at least once a month to find somewhere new. But sometimes, you don’t need "new"—you need "reliable."

Last weekend, I returned to Maskam Guest Farm. I first visited this spot in 2020, right before the global pandemic changed everything. Six years later, the world is a different place, but that mountain view remains as therapeutic as ever.

There is something incredibly grounding about sitting at the cottage and just staring at the mountain. When the city noise in Cape Town gets too loud, this is where I find my silence.

I spent my mornings clearing the mental fog on the farm's trails. If you’re a runner who usually sticks to the pavement of the promenade (which is rough on the knees), you’ll appreciate the soft ground here.

The real highlight of Maskam is something you won’t find on a supermarket shelf: their raw, unprocessed Rooibos tea. It is easily the best I’ve ever had.
Note for your visit: The owner usually leaves a pack in the cottage for you to buy, but it’s definitely worth purchasing a few bags to take home.

I posted a mini-blog of the trip over on Instagram—you can see the trail signs and that incredible mountain view in action right here.

Once the sun dips, the sky becomes the main event. Because there’s little light pollution, it’s the perfect place to break out the GoPro. I managed to capture some star trails that remind you just how big the world is (and how small our "city problems" usually are).

I’m specifically looking for guest farms that are great for trail running or long, quiet walks.

Where should I point the Polo next? Reply to this email or drop your suggestion here and let me know your favourite "reset" spot.

Stay curious,
Adrian

My personal travel diary, made public.