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Hiking

Please Note:
Hiking trails have been closed indefinitely due to fire damage.

Nearest Town: 33km from Porterville
Region: West Coast

Trail choices
As with other wilderness areas (like Cederberg), you may hike wherever you like. Paths criss-cross the mountain fynbos, but only the day trails are marked. Choose routes that lead to an overnight spot, or overnight in the wilderness area. Various day and overnight hikes (noted below) of differing lenghts and with wonderful swimming pools traverse the area.

Huts
There are primitive shelters at Perdevlei, a comfortable farmhouse at De Tronk or simple huts at De Tronk. Hikers may use these, or choose to overnight anywhere in the veld.

Trail conditions
The idea is that you choose your own route and follow it, exploring the rock formations, caves, mountain fynbos, disas, ericas, birdlife and rock art in this wilderness area.
Where trails are lost to plate rock, small cairns show the way, but a 1:50 000 survey map of the area will be a great help.

Open fires are not allowed because of the high risk of veld fires. Fires may only be made at the overnight huts at De Tronk. Limited firewood is supplied. Firewood may not be collected in the veld.

No toilet facilities are provided, except at De Tronk. Hikers are requested to carry a small spade for this purpose. Please do not use soap or shampoo in the rivers or streams.

Trails

Parking area to De Tronk
Distance: 13km (3 hours)
Trail description:
The easy route leads from the parking area along the Kliphuis River to the low-water bridge, and along a jeep track to De Tronk. Water is plentiful and it is not necessary to carry any. There are numerous swimming pools and beautiful patches of ericas on route in season. In the winter, the Groot Kliphuis River is difficult and dangerous to cross.

Parking area to De Tronk via jeep track
Distance: 14km (3,5 hours)
Trail description:
The vegetation along this fairly easy route is very attractive, with tolbos (Leucadendron salignum), Brunia nodiflora, and various erica species including Erica inflata and Erica mammosa. Exceptionally large waboom trees (Protea nitida) occur here.
Water is not available for the first 11km, until Weltevrede. Hikers should rather not walk back from De Tronk as this is very tiring, particularly without water.

Parking area to Groot Kliphuis via the jeep track
Distance: 14km (3 hours)
Trail description:
This fairly easy route crosses the Kliphuis River and winds through interesting rock formations until reaching a jeep track which leads to Kliphuis. From here the route follows the track through rock formations to Groot Kliphuis. Water is plentiful in winter, but should be carried in the warmer months. The streams along the route can be difficult to cross in winter.

Parking area to Groot Kliphuis via the Kliphuis river
Distance: 16km (4 hours)
Trail description:
This easy trail follows the Kliphuis River for a short distance before swinging away in an easterly direction. The route winds through exceptional rock formations and later joins the trail from Kliphuis to Perdevlei. There is a wonderful swimming pool as the track enters the koppies. Many ericas and disas grow along this route. Water is plentiful along the trail. The streams on route can be difficult to cross in winter.

Groot Kliphuis to Perdevlei
Distance: 6km (1,5 hours)
Trail description:
This fairly easy route leads south from Kliphuis until the Klein Kliphuis River, where it joins the footpath from De Tronk to Perdevlei. One turns east (left) to reach Perdevlei, where there is a primitive stone hut. The Kliphuis river usually has water.

Groot Kliphuis to Perdevlei via the jeep track
Distance: 7km (2 hours)
Trail description:
This fairly demanding route offers a magnificent view over the area. Protea magnifica and Protea recondita grow in profusion along the route. Water is only available at the start and end of the trail.

Perdevlei to De Tronk
Distance: 12km (2,5 hours)
Trail description:
This fairly easy route follows the Klein Kliphuis River through a beautiful area and joins the Jeep track leading to De Tronk. There are many swimming pools along the route. De Tronk has three primitive overnight huts. Remember that fires may only be made in the indoor fire-places, and not outside the huts.

De Tronk to Die Hel
Distance: 5km (1,5 hours)
Trail description:
This ia fairly demanding route. Upon leaving the old farm, the path leads south under some oak trees and over a small footbridge towards Die Hel. The route is easy until just above the gorge and swimming pool. The descend into the gorge is very steep, difficult and dangerous. There is an overhang with rock art on the left of the footpath as it begins to drop very steeply. The pool is very deep and one of the largest in the Western Cape mountains.

Only competent swimmers should attempt the pool. Hikers are not allowed to overnight at the pool or overhang. Fires are not permitted at the pool or overhang. The rock art in the overhang may not be damaged. The route and area around the pool is dangerous, particularly for children and elderly people. The caves around the pool are entered at own risk, as they may harbour diseases.

Reservations

To make a booking please contact our reservations office