Swellendam Hiking Trail
The trail is situated in the Langeberg Mountains of the southwestern Cape. The starting point is reached from the town of Swellendam by turning from the Main Street into Andrew Whyte Street. The forestry station is reached about 3 km further along this road, which is well signposted. The total distance of the trail is 80 km and the length in days - 6 days (shorter routes are possible). Prohibitions and hazards: This trail is fairly demanding and should only be attempted by fit, competent and well-equipped hikers. Fires are only permitted at demarcated sites at Glen stream and Wolfkloof huts due to the high risk of veld fires and the scarcity of trips. Be aware that trips should be well planned in advance as hikers are not permitted to leave the trail at any stage due to private property and the possibility of getting lost.
Glen Stream at the start In action, on the first day
Day 1: Glen Stream hut to Boskloof hut (14.8 km / 7½ hrs) The trail heads north from behind the top hut and soon swings east, crossing a stream and an open field. A wooden footbridge is crossed and at the 0.5 km mark you turn left onto a track at a gate across the forestry road. This track runs along the edge of the pine forest past the 1 km marker and is quite steep, but there are zig zags on the way down. At the bottom, turn left onto another jeep track and over a cement causeway over the Koloniesbos river. Turn left at a sign "Boskloof hut / Die Plaat" and zig zag steeply upward towards another pine forest. Shortly before the 3 km mark, the route to Tienuurkop is signposted and just before the 3.5 km mark, you turn right towards Tienuurkop and Boskloof at the signpost. Just after the 3.5 km mark, the route splits again, left to Tienuurkop and right to Boskloof. (It is possible to go over Tienuurkop to Boskloof and the route is much shorter, but also steeper). Around the 4.5 km mark, you pass some tall restios and contouring along above the forests, there are several small streams which are crossed, some of them offering enough space for a dip (Weather permitting). Just before the 5.5 km mark, you enter an indigenous forest with a stream. Soon you descend to a jeep track and turn left onto the old route that used to come up from Koloniesbos. Now the climbing really begins, with zig zags getting longer and harder. The candle wood tree is reached around the 9 km mark and about 1 km further there are some good lunch spots next to the river. The route levels out and then descends to where the bridge over the Tierkloof river comes up at 13.5 km (Good swimming spot) and just over a km from here, uphill all the way, will bring you to the Boskloof hut. 20 people can sleep in this 2 room hut. Unfit people will suffer on this section as the backpack is heavy on the first day and the route involves more than
1000m of ascent over rugged terrain.
Day 2: Boskloof to Goedgeloof ( 10.6 km / 4½ hrs) The second day is a relatively easy hike of approximately 10 km. The trail ascends sharply over the first kilometre along a zigzag path, before leveling out along the Drosterspas (Deserter's Pass) to Vulture's Rock, which resembles these birds which have become almost extinct in the Western Cape. From here it continues to climb Knuckle Rock and a short deviation trail is worth for breathtaking view of Boskloof hut far below. After while descends once more before an uphill section Het Goedgeloof Nek. As you descend Goedgeloof stone huts at foot range are treated panoramic colourful patchwork farmlands Montagu/Barrydale Valley both towns being visible on clear day. The last 3 km some 500 m and it is important to take this ease. The Huts at Goedekloof have been criticized for being claustrophobic and without true mountain feeling. The stone huts were originally built for patrol purposes and the natural stone blends well with surroundings. Additional accommodation provided cooking shelter, above the hut, which also contains two showers. Because of the high cost of providing wood at this hut, this practice has discontinued. Perhaps nearby farm which the hut overlooks, does give one a feeling too close to civilization. You are asked not make a nuisance of yourself at nearby farms. Despite being indicated on the map swimming is prohibited in the nearby dams - hence the showers at the hut. The spectacular sunsets from these huts never fail to impress. The slopes behind the hut are warmer and drier and covered in tall Yellowbush, which in the later afternoon transform the slopes into a glowing goldenyellow sea. Looking north, you will see a kaleidoscope of pastel shades, fading into the hazy darkness.
Day 3: Goedgeloof to Protea Valley (9.2 km / 3 hrs) From the Goedgeloof huts the trail descends to the Warmwater River and about 1 km further it crosses a small stream. From here the trail winds steadily upwards for about 1,5 km to Warmwaternek. The remaining 5 km is over easy terrain, much of it level. As the name implies, Proteavallei hut, which is situated in the southwestern end of the valley, is named after the abundance of proteas in the vicinity. It is similar in appearance to the Boskloof hut and from the high verandah there is a magnificent view of Misty Point (1 710 m), the highest peak in the Langeberg range.
Day 4: Protea Valley to Nooitgedacht (13 km / 6 hrs) From Proteavallei hut you have a choice of three routes, two to Wolfkloof hut - a short 7 km route via Kruispad or a longer route of 12,5 km via Vensterbank. If you are hiking the full trail you must continue to Nooitgedacht. PROTEAVALLEI HUT TO WOLFKLOOF HUT VIA KRUISPAD From the hut the trail ascends almost immediately for about a kilometre. This is followed by a steep descent and after 6 km the trail joins the contour path between Nooitgedacht and Wolfkloof (for the remainder of the description refer to 'Nooitgedacht Hut to Wolfkloof Hut'). PROTEAVALLEI HUT TO WOLFKLOOF HUT VIA VENSTERBANK This route is about 5 km longer but far more spectacular. It should not be attempted during rain, strong winds or mist, however, and it is also not advisable for people who are afraid of heights. On descending, the wheatlands of Swellendam once again come into view and on a clear day this is a magnificent scene. The trail loses some 650 m over 5 km from Dwariga Nek to where it joins the contour path between Nooitgedacht and Wolfkloof (for the remainder of the description refer to 'Nooitgedacht Hut to Wolfkloof Hut'). PROTEAVALLEI HUT TO NOOITGEDAGHT HUT After retracing your steps for about 400 m, you will join up with the main trail to Nooitgedacht. As happens so often on this trail, you then start to climb almost immediately and after 2 km will reach Dwariga Nek. Here the Vensterbank return route branches off to the left while the main trail continues in a westerly direction. The trail descends sharply to the Twisnietvallei (Do Not Quarrel Valley) before ascending again for a short distance. It then continues to descend to the Water Dwariga River. Over the next 2 km the trail climbs steadily to Luiperdnek and from there the trail winds down towards the hut. Shortly before reaching the hut a signpost indicates the trail to Wolfkloof hut, 21 km away. From here it is less than a kilometre to Nooitgedacht and shortly before reaching the hut you will cross the Nooitgedacht River. The hut is similar to the Goedgeloof hut; it was built about thirty years ago also for the use of rangers patrolling the area. It is tucked away in a small kloof and consists of two rooms which can sleep sixteen people. The nearby swimming pool offers welcome relief during the summer months. The distance to Nooitgedacht is approximately 13 km and is covered in about six hours. The flora along this section is amongst the best along the entire trail; with an abundance of wagon trees , pincushion , rooistompie or red mimetes cone and yellow bushes.
The Vensterbank Nooitgedacht hut
Day 5: Nooitgedacht to Wolfkloof (21.3 km / 8 hrs) From Nooitgedacht the trail doubles back along the southern slopes of the Langeberg to Wolfkloof hut. Approximately 21 km is covered but the terrain is reasonably level. It takes about eight hours of easy hiking to reach Wolfkloof hut so an early start is therefore advisable. After ascending for a short while the coastal plains come into view for the first time in days. To the west lie Robertson, the farms of Bonnie-vale and the hazy Riviersonderend Mountains. At about the 10 km mark the proposed site of the Middelrivier hut, which will break this long section into two shorter days, is passed and after 15 km the main trail is joined by the route via Vensterbank. KIeinboutbos, with its four beautiful shaded ravines, is normally reached around lunchtime and is a pleasant surprise to the weary hiker. There is a welcome swimming pool above the Leeurivier Waterfall before it drops into a narrow, deep ravine. The trail then climbs for a while, before descending to Aalwynkoppie. A little further on it is joined by the Kruispad shortcut. Wolfkloof is less than 2 km away and the last section drops steeply down to the hut. The hut is larger than the other huts and can accommodate thirty people. It is built at the bottom of the Wolfkloof Valley on the slope overlooking the Keurbooms River and there is an inviting swimming pool directly opposite the hut. The river is named after the Keurboom or blossom tree which grows in profusion in the river gorge. The common name, meaning 'choice' tree, alludes to its exquisite floral beauty. It belongs to the pea family and the pea-like flowers vary from white to almost purple. The sweet-scented flowers are borne in long bunches towards the end of the branchlets during spring. It is possible that Wolfkloof is named after the hyena which were often called wolves by the early travelers and pioneers
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Day 6: Wolfkloof to Swellendam forest station (10.7 km / 3½ hrs) Depending on your destination, the final day's hike is either 10,7 km, or 15 km should you continue to Koloniesbos hut. From Wolfkloof the trail ascends for 3 km before descending slightly. It then follows the 500 m contour path for about 2 km before losing height. The trail passes through pine plantations and after about two to three hours reaches a delightful picnic spot in the indigenous forest at Hermitagekloof. On the opposite bank the trail once again climbs sharply out of the kloof and the remainder of the hike to Swellendam Forest Station is through pine plantations. The small patch of indigenous forest which is passed after the 8 km marker is named Dokters bos, after the Swedish botanist Carl Thunberc who was also a physician. He explored the Doktersbos and Grootvadersbos in 1772. The final 2 km of the trail to the forest station follows a forestry road through pine plantations. This day's hike is usually completed in about four hours.
Six days and 81 km later, enjoying a beer or two !
Our group of 16 divided into two groups, 5 did the 5 day 53 km trail and 11 of us did the 6 day 80 km plus the extra kilo to the Vensterbank.
For reservations: Bredasdorp Reservations Office, Private Bag X16, Bredasdorp 7280
Telephone: (028) 425 5020
Fax (028) 425 5030
Email: dehoopinfo@sdm.dorea.co.za