A network of short trails makes this location and ideal outing for beginners and families with children. The entire network consists of 24km and you can choose to walk from one hour to 1.5 days.
What you will experience is extensive grasslands with flowering plants and densely wooded kloofs. The veld flowers are quite magnificent on the rocky ridges and the fern family is very well represented in the gorges with magnificent tree ferns of various heights cladding the mountain stream of the Varingkloof.
On the fauna front, there are kudu, roan antelope, mountain reed buck, blue wildebeest, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok and zebra. More than 85 bird species have been seen including water birds at Hannes’s Dam on the property.
All hikes have magnificent views over the dam, and over the deep gorges of the area, several hundred metres below.
Options on the network of hikes include the 6km Hoëveldklappertjie Trail, the 9.4km Mwamasi Trail which can be linked to the 3.4km Suikerbossingel Trail. The Haelgeweer Loop is an offshoot of the Suikerbossingel Trail but note it can be dangerous in wet weather as it follows a cliff edge. It is also not suitable for novices and children.
The main trail (Mwamasi) start off with a climb down through the beautiful Varingkloof. Here you will see lovely examples of indigenous trees and Tree Ferns. There are also some lovely pools. The main trail can be quite strenuous in the heat as for much of the trail there is very little tree cover. It is important to take plenty of liquid along as there are some long stretches of the trail without water.
The basecamp accommodation offers chalets with beds and mattresses, kitchen with two plate gas stove, pots, pans, braai facilities (bring your own charcoal), toilets and hot showers.
Trails must be booked in advance and require an overnight stay.
012 734 2978
How to get there:
It is reached by taking the Groblersdal road from Middelburg and then taking the gravel road signposted to Bankplaas. 180 km from Pretoria, 39 km from Middelburg.
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