Escape to a forest retreat sauna, where mountain adventures, indigenous forest, icy bucket challenges and plenty of laughter come together.
There are few things quite as satisfying as finishing a morning in the Drakensberg with tired legs, rosy cheeks and that wonderfully clear-headed feeling that only time in the mountains seems to deliver.
Perhaps you have been up early for one of The Cavern’s guided breakfast hikes, followed a scenic trail through the surrounding wilderness or simply spent a few hours exploring at your own pace. Either way, there is something rather special about having the mountains as your playground, and then being able to retreat into the forest for a little more time to unwind.
Now imagine stepping into a warm sauna, surrounded by indigenous forest, with the sound of rushing water somewhere below and the mountains rising beyond the trees.
Welcome to The Cavern’s new Forest Retreat sauna.
Tucked into the tranquil setting of the Forest Retreat, the sauna adds another layer to an already wonderfully restorative mountain escape. And while the idea of a sauna might sound like a simple way to warm up after a hike on a chilly day, we quickly discovered there is rather more to it than that.
For starters, there are no phones, no notifications and, for a little while at least, nowhere else you need to be. There is just a small, beautifully appointed wooden sauna, the heat, the sounds of the forest and whoever you have chosen to share it with.
It can comfortably accommodate four people, although two makes for a particularly spacious experience, and everything you need is provided, including water to throw over the hot stones, towels, hooded towels and a timer to keep an eye on your sauna session.
Then comes the fun part. How much heat can you handle? And, perhaps more importantly, are you brave enough for the cold?
Once you have worked up a good sweat, you can cool down with either the cold shower or, if you are feeling particularly adventurous, the bucket of cold water. We opted for the bucket, which turns out to be quite the mind game.
There is something strangely exhilarating about standing there, knowing exactly what is about to happen, and still wondering whether you really want to pull that rope.
It’s hot. It’s cold. It’s a little bit ridiculous. But it is enormous fun, and somewhere between the heat, the cold and the inevitable laughter, something else happens. You start talking. Properly talking. Without a phone buzzing beside you. Without someone checking a message. Without the usual distractions that somehow manage to fill even the quietest moments.
For us, the sauna was part of a girls’ getaway planned around a birthday, and that made the experience even more special. There was time for laughter, quiet conversations, reflection and simply being together, which is perhaps one of the most underrated forms of wellness there is.
And the setting makes it even better. The Forest Retreat is nestled among The Cavern’s indigenous Fern Forest, with Putterill’s Stream cascading below. Inside the sauna, you are wrapped in warmth, while outside, the sound of rushing water and the forest carry on at their own unhurried pace. It is difficult to imagine a more beautiful place to switch off.
The sauna is also a natural addition to The Cavern’s existing spa offering, which includes massages, facials and a range of other treatments. After a morning of walking in the mountains, there is something wonderfully indulgent about following it with heat, a little pampering and nowhere else to be.
And then, of course, there is food.
Meals are included as part of the stay, with breakfast, lunch and dinner all forming part of the experience. Breakfast is the kind of affair that makes you want to linger, with fresh juices, cheeses, cold meats and plenty of choice before heading out into the mountains. Lunch brings the sort of generous, wholesome spread that feels particularly welcome after a morning outdoors, while dinner settles the day beautifully with a more leisurely, beautifully presented menu.
It is food that feels generous rather than fussy, hearty without being heavy and very much in keeping with the spirit of The Cavern. That sense of abundance seems to run through the whole place.
There is the mountain, the forest, the food, the hospitality and the unmistakable feeling that this is somewhere built around people coming together.
Perhaps that comes naturally from a resort that has been family-run for more than eight decades. The Cavern’s story began with Bill and Ruth Carte in 1941, and today that family legacy continues through another generation.
It is a place where birthdays are celebrated, families return with their children and grandchildren, friendships are renewed and, increasingly, people come simply to breathe.
Our weekend was a little of all of that. A beautiful place to stay, exceptional food, mountain walks, a little pampering and, at the centre of it all, the chance to sit quietly in a warm sauna beneath the forest canopy.
The Forest Retreat sauna is still a new offering at The Cavern, but perhaps its appeal is surprisingly simple. It gives you permission to stop. To put the phone away. To sweat a little. To challenge yourself with a bucket of icy water. To laugh with the people you’re with. To have a real conversation. Or perhaps to say absolutely nothing at all.
Sometimes a getaway doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes you just need a mountain, a forest, good food, people you love and somewhere warm to sit afterwards.
For us, it is just another reason to return.
Details: cavern.co.za.
Why the heat feels so good
A sauna isn’t just about getting hot. Heat temporarily increases heart rate and blood flow, relaxes muscles and can leave you feeling wonderfully calm afterwards. Many people also find sauna sessions help with stress, muscle stiffness and relaxation, and some report sleeping better after an evening session.
There is also something particularly appealing about the heat-and-cold contrast. Cooling down afterwards can feel invigorating, while the combination gives you a chance to step outside your comfort zone and reconnect with your body.
A few things to remember
For most healthy adults, shorter sauna sessions are a sensible starting point. Drink plenty of water before and afterwards, avoid using a sauna after drinking alcohol and step out if you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous or unusually uncomfortable.
If you are pregnant, have a heart or blood-pressure condition, kidney problems, a condition affecting your ability to regulate body temperature, or take medication that affects blood pressure, hydration or sweating, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using a sauna.
And while the word “detox” gets thrown around a lot, sweating isn’t responsible for the body’s main detoxification process. That’s what your liver and kidneys are for. The real appeal is much simpler: warmth, relaxation, recovery and a little time to switch off.
