Genadendal Hiking Trail.
This trail reopened in July 2010 after a long period of being closed due to flood damage. Cape Nature have repaired the trail and it is currently in good condition.Permits are necessary and can be purchased from Cape Nature's central reservations.
The trail is fairly strenuous and follows a circular route of 25.3 kms. The start and end are at the Moravian Church in Genadendal. The first day is 14.3km and leads past two pools, one of which Mike Lundy in "Weekend Trails in the Western Cape" describes as " ranks among the best in the Western Cape mountains".
Overnight accommodation is available at Holt Okes's farm De Hoek. This accommodation is very basic and consists of prefabricated huts made from masonite. There are beds and mattrasses, two showers and three toilets. There are 6 small rooms each with 3 or 4 beds.The kitchen area is very small and there are two gas burners, pots and pans are provided. Take your own plate,mug,and cutlery.Expect very, very basic facilities and you wont be disappointed. This hike goes through Holt's property, so the hike wouldnt be possible without his generous permission and the numbers of weekend hikers don't justify any capital investment in facilities. The running water, toilets, weather proof huts and braai wood are all you need. Holt is busy preparing a 3 bedroomed house as more comfortable accommodation, and this will be completed by November.If you contact Holt or Sandy before Monday they will normally be able to buy in groceries for you for a 15% handling fee. Note that there is no fridge in the hut, so perishables will be left in a coolbox.
The second day is 11km and there is very little water available so you need to fill up at the overnight hut. It involves some fairly steep hiking before you go over the watershed and descend back to Genadendal.
Hikers need to be fit and well equipped. In summer it can be extremely hot and plenty of water needs to be carried. In winter it can be very cold and wet. We recommend you consult the local weather forecast available on www.overbergagri.co.za - go to weather and Caledon East.
For booking accommodation: Holt and Sandy Okes: 023 626 2176. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Hut rates: R65 per person per night.
For more luxurious accommodation: contact Goodhope Farm.Tel 023 626 3965.email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . See www.goodhopefarm.co.za
Permits are necessary and cost R30.00 per day. Contact Cape Nature at Tel: 021 483 00 00 or 0861 2273 628873.email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
BOESMANSKLOOF TRAIL(Greyton to McGregor)
This trail is 14km longand is normally walked as an out and back trail giving a total of 24km, with an overnight stay at either end. While the Greyton end starts at the edge of the Village and is very close to accommodation options, The McGregor end is 14km away from McGregor.To drive from one side to the other is approximately 120km one way and takes nearly two hours, so this is not a drive that you will undertake lightly.
It is a beautiful route that is fairly easy, although I have seen many hikers who have underestimated the trail battle, especially in hot summer conditions.From Greyton it is a steep climb up a jeep track to Breakfast Rock, a nice stopping place for coffee or breakfast. From Breakfast Rock it is still abot two kms of gentle climbing before you drop down into the river valley.
The trail then runs parallel to the river with a fantastic swimming pool at Oakes Falls where in Summer it is recommended that you stop for lunch and a few hours of swimming. From Oakes Fall you follow the river again for about 3kms of easy hiking before beginning a very steep climb up to Die Galg and the overnight accommodation.
Both Die Galg and Onverwagt will buy in groceries for you which is very convenient and means that you can hike with little more than a day pack and still enjoy a braai and beer or wine at the end of your day.
Contact numbers:
Die Galg: 023 625 1794.
Onverwagt 023 625 1667.
The best things about the trail are : the sense of isolation in the valley at the centre of the hike; the fynbos vegetation; the amazing swimming spot at Oakes Falls;the remains of the old road near Die Galg and the fact that you walk from the Overberg into the Klein Karoo.
