Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve

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Please note that all the hiking trails will be closed due to the current fire until further notice.

Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office

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Hiking

Boegoekloof Trail

Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland
Trail description: This is an out-and-back route over rugged and mountainous terrain. The area is home to 1300 mountain fynbos plant species and 110 bird species.

Hikers should be fit, experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the route could close temporarily in extreme conditions. Fires and braais are forbidden except at demarcated sites.

Groenlandberg Trail

Trail Distance: 22km (7 hours)
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland
Trail description: This is a moderate out and back route. The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species. It provides spectacular views.

Hikers should be fit, experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the route could close temporarily in extreme conditions. Fires and braais are forbidden except at demarcated sites.

Palmiet Trail

Trail Distance: 6km (2 hours)
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland
Trail description: This easy circular route is designed for blind and disabled people, but is not suitable for wheelchairs. It is also a great family hike. The reserve houses 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species.

Boland Hiking Trail

Please note: the Boemanskloof and Aloe Ridge huts on the Boland Hiking Trail are closed until further notice. One of the swing bridges near the weir on the Orchard Route has been completely washed away due to the effects of heavy rains on the river level and flow. There is no way hikers can complete this section (Orchard Route) of the Boland Trail. Landroskop and Shamrock huts (from Nuweberg via Sphinx Route and visa versa) will remain operational.

Trail Options:
Nuweberg to Landdroskop Hut - 12km (3-4 hours)
Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut - 14km (2-3 hours)
Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut (longer) - 18,1km (4 hours)
Boesmanskloof to Landdroskop Hut - 17,5km (5-6 hours)
Nuweberg to Landdroskop to Boesmanskloof - 29km (13 hours)
Hut: Overnight huts are available at Landdroskop or Boesmanskloof. Each overnight stop has two huts, sleeping 24 people each. Bunk beds, mattresses and water are provided.
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Trail description: The Hottentots Holland section of the Boland Hiking Trail traverses the reserve. It has two overnight sites, each with two huts, and various routes of one to three days to choose from. Ensure that your route choice starts and ends at the Nuweberg offices.

The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species. Hikers should be fit, experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the routes could temporarily close because of extreme conditions. Fires and braais are forbidden except at demarcated sites.

Stokoe's Pass Route

Please note the Stokoe’s Pass Route to Landroskop hut can be dangerous, especially for hikers who are not familiar with the area. The route is not often used and CapeNature encourages hikers to take other routes to Landroskop, for example, the Sphinx Route. To familiarise yourself with the route, please refer to the 1:50 000 scale map of the Boland Trail or the map on the reverse side of the Hottentots Holland reserve brochure.

Trail Distance:
Day 1: Nuweberg to Landdroskop/Shamrock 17km
Day 2: To Nuweberg 8km
Hut Capacity: The overnight stop has two huts. Each hut sleeps 24 people. Huts are provided with bunks, mattresses and water.
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Trail description: The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species. The trails are only adviced for experienced hikers. Hikers should be experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the routes could temporarily close because of extreme conditions.Fires and braais are forbidden except at demarcated sites.

Nuweberg Route

Nearest Town: Grabouw
Trail Distance:
Day 1: Nuweberg to Landdroskop - 12km
Day 2: Landdroskop to Boesmanskloof - 17,6km
Day 3: Boesmanskloof to Nuweberg 14km
Hut: Two huts are found at each of the overnight stops, each sleeping 24 people. Huts are equipped with bunk beds, mattresses and water.
Region: Boland

Trail description: The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species.

Hikers should be experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the routes could temporarily close because of extreme conditions.Fires and braais are forbidden except at demarcated sites.

Sphinx Route

Trail Options:
Day 1: Nuweberg to Landdroskop hut/Shamrock - 12km
Day 2: To Nuweberg 8km
Hut: The overnight stop has two huts, each sleeping 24 people. Huts are provided with bunks, mattresses and water.
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Trail description: This is one of Hottentots Holland's easier hiking options. It leads past a rock formation that looks like the Egyptian sphinx. The trail starts with an initial steep climb, and then follows through a picturesque valley and along small streams. The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species.

Hikers should be experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the routes could temporarily close because of extreme conditions. Fires and braais are not allowed, except at demarcated sites.

Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof/Orchard Route

Trail Options:
Day 1: Boesmanskloof Route: Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof/Aloe Ridge 17,6km
Day 2: Orchard Route - Boesmanskloof to Nuweberg 14km
Hut: The overnight stop has two huts. Each hut sleeps 24 people. Huts are provided with bunks, mattresses and water.
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Trail description: The terrain is rugged and mountainous, with 1 300 mountain fynbos species and 110 bird species.

Only experienced hikers should consider this route. Hikers should be experienced and well-equipped for extreme weather. Due to severe weather and flooded rivers the routes could temporarily close because of extreme conditions. Fires and braais are not allowed, except at demarcated sites.

Reservations
To make a booking please contact our reservations office
Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office


The Suicide Gorge & Riviersonderend Kloofing routes at Hottentots Holland N.R. will be closed from Wednesday 30th April 2008 & will be reopened on the 1 November 2008. No bookings will be made during this period.

Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Suicide Gorge
Trail Distance: 17km (8 hours)
Trail description: This route is more of a swim than a hike. The main attractions include spectacular canyon scenery and lovely waterfalls. The highest jump on this route is 14m. It’s for the brave, as daring leaps of seven or eight metres down waterfalls are compulsory. You must be willing to swim in cold water and not be afraid of heights. Remember, once in, the only way you're going to get out of this section of the Riviersonderend mountains is via some gravity-defying jumps and scrambles.

Please notes: The route is open from 1 November to 30 April. Hikers should be fit, experienced and in good health. Light footwear is advisable, as well as a wetsuite. Use a waterproof bag. The route can be dangerous in extreme weather conditions.

Riviersonderend Route
Trail Distance: 15km (8,5 hours)
Trail description: If Suicide Gorge is too daunting, this gorge might be a better option for novices. The gorge lies lower down the same river as Suicide Gorge. Nervous beginners can avoid most of the jumps or do them from a low spot. The highest jump on this circular route is 7m. You should be reasonably fit, willing to swim in cold water and not be afraid of heights if you want to tackle the route. The main attractions include spectacular canyon scenery and lovely waterfalls.


Please note: The route is open from 1 November to 30 April. Hikers should be fit. Light footwear is advisable, as well as a wetsuite. Use a waterproof bag.

Excursions on Saturdays and Sundays must be booked a month in advance. Shorter booking period allowed for weekday excursions. Group size: Five groups of six people allowed over weekends; groups of 12-15 allowed on weekdays
Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office

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Hottentots Holland MTB trail

Trail Distance: 6km
Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland

Description: This easy circular route is ideal for the whole family. It starts and ends at the parking area near the reserve office. It leads through plantations and fynbos areas, and will provide you with the feeling of travelling through a forest. Cyclists will also have to cross a small river. The trail looks out over picturesque views of the farms in the Villiersdorp/Vyeboom area.

Special features: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is better known for its hiking opportunities, as it is home to the well-known Boland Hiking Trail. This short mountain bike trail, however, also allows visitors the opportunity to explore the area's rich fynbos wealth.

Prohibitions and hazards: Fires only permitted in demarcated areas; no picking of flowers allowed; carry permits at all times. Accommodation is available on the reserve.

Groenlandberg MTB trail

Nearest Town: Grabouw
Region: Boland
Trail Distance: 22km

Description: This moderate out-and-back route is 22km long and leads up to Groenlandberg, where cyclists will be treated to views over the sea and nearby farms. On a clear day you will be able to see to Hermanus and Kleinmond.

Special features: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is better known for its hiking opportunities, as it is home to the well-known Boland Hiking Trail. This mountain bike trail, however, also allows visitors the opportunity to explore the area's rich fynbos wealth.

Prohibitions and hazards: Fires only permitted in demarcated areas; no picking of flowers allowed; carry permits at all times. Accommodation is available on the reserve.

Reservations
Tel: (021) 659 3500
Submit a booking enquiry
Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office

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Use the map or list to select a reserve

Map of CapeNature Nature Reserves
Cederberg Wilderness Area Bird Island Nature Reserve Rocherpan Nature Reserve Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Limietberg Nature Reserve Jonkershoek Nature Reserve Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve Vrolijkeid Nature Reserve Marloth Nature Reserve Kogelberg Nature Reserve Walker Bay Nature Reserve Salmonsdam Nature Reserve De Mond Nature Reserve De Hoop Nature Reserve Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Boosmansbos Wilderness Anysberg Nature Reserve Swartberg Nature Reserve Gamkaberg Nature Reserve Outeniqua Nature Reserve Goukamma Nature Reserve Keurbooms River Nature Reserve Robberg Nature Reserve

Cape Town Tourism Cape Town Tourism
West Coast
1. Cederberg Wilderness Area
2. Bird Island Nature Reserve
3. Rocherpan Nature Reserve
4. Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area

Winelands
5. Limietberg Nature Reserve
6. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
7. Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve
8. Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
9. Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Overberg
10. Marloth Nature Reserve
11. Kogelberg Nature Reserve
12. Walker Bay Nature Reserve
13. Salmonsdam Nature Reserve
14. De Mond Nature Reserve
15. De Hoop Nature Reserve
16. Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
17. Boosmansbos Wilderness Area

Cape Karoo
18. Anysberg Nature Reserve
19. Swartberg Nature Reserve
20. Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Garden Route and Little Karoo
21. Outeniqua Nature Reserve
22. Goukamma Nature Reserve
23. Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
24. Robberg Nature Reserve

Download:
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