As you approach from Oudtshoorn you will traverse a beautiful valley surrounded by the Outeniqua mountains where hops are grown. The name of this valley is Waboomskraal. It is home to about 75% of South Africa’s hops farms.
There is a lesser known hiking trail called “Doringrivier” that takes you all the way to the Ronbinson Pass, which connects Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, but today we only planned to take a shorter day hike up and over the mountains to a nearby trig beacon. Just as well, because with my unfit state I will never be able to complete a strenuous hike of 50 kilometres. Even the hike to the trig beacon is uphill all the time. (Remember that a trig beacon is normally at the highest point on a mountain!).
Reading a description of the hike they mentioned that you can maybe see klipspringer, grey rhebuck, leopard and also some small rodents. We did not see anything like that, only endless views of mountains and valleys covered with fynbos. Once at the trig beacon, and our turn around point for the day, we could see the sun reflecting off the buildings as far away as Oudtshoorn.
The return trip was per se not easier, because you are constantly “breaking” on the downward slopes not to slip on the loose stones, hence I am saying wear sturdy shoes to support your feet and ankles.
Some tips for the hike:
- take some water with you for the hike, as you do not cross any streams at that altitude
- wear sturdy hiking shoes as there are a lot of loose stones on the footpath
- cell phone reception is not always obtainable on the hike
- take something warm as the weather changes quickly
- allow a whole morning/afternoon for the hike if you are not fit
Remember to do this hike you will have to obtain a permit from Cape Nature in Witfontein.
—oOo—
Another walk that we as a family enjoyed a lot was the hike along the beach to the shipwreck at Glentana Beach. Read more under the post A century old wreck
