Trails: Grass& Wetlands, Mpumalanga: South Africa

El Dorian
Trail Type: Day loops; central hut
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: 2 days/ 27km; day 1, 15 km; day 2, 12 km; circular; mountain overnight hut; 12 persons max. Optional day 3, 12 km loop back to base camp. Base camp has house with electricity, 12 beds.
Comments: Waterfall, indigenous forest, perennial river, rock pools, horse trails. No pets. Beware of snakes.
Enquiries: Anvie Ventures
Tel: +27 (0)12 662 0586
Fax: +27 (0)12 662 1140
e-mail: anvie@xsinet.co.za

Hebron
Trail Type: Day loops; central hut
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: Various loop trails from same base hut; 8km/12km/16km; average to difficult; on a farm; 27 persons at base camp; 8-10 persons at overnight hut; no children under 6.
Comments: Views, mountain streams with rapids, rock pools, swimming.
Enquiries: Anvie Ventures
Tel: + 27 (0)12 662 0586
Fax: + 27 (0)12 662 1140
e-mail: anvie@xsinet.co.za

Hebron
Trail Type: Horse trail
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: Various loop trails on horseback from same base hut; on a farm; 27 persons at base camp; 8-10 persons at overnight hut; no children under 6.
Comments: Views, mountain streams with rapids, rock pools, swimming.
Enquiries: Anvie Ventures
Tel: + 27 (0)12 662 0586
Fax: + 27 (0)12 662 1140
e-mail: anvie@xsinet.co.za

Kalkoenkrans
Trail Type: Day loops; central hut
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: 15km/ 2 circular day loops; moderate to difficult; other options; central huts and camp site; 20 persons max.
Enquiries: Sappi
Tel: + 27 (0)17 843 2184

Kalkoenkrans
Trail Type: Mountain bike
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: Mountain bike trail in Carolina Various cycling routes; huts and camp site; 20 persons max; R25 per person.
Tel: + 27 (0)13 443 1954

Kranskloof
Trail Type: Hiking trail
Closest Town: Carolina [Back to Top]
Location: 30 km from Carolina, 250 km from Gauteng.
Description: 18,5km /2 day overnight trail: approximately 8,5 & 10 km. 24 persons max. Overnight facilities: Kloof: 3 huts each with 8 beds. Inkungu camp has 4 huts each with 6 beds. Ablution facilities include donkey boilers for hot/cold showers, flush toilets, basins. Kitchen has 2 plate gas cooker, pots, pans, potjies, braai facilities and wood. Undercover kitchen facilities and lapas. Three circular day walks of 10, 8 and 5km also available.
Comments: Enjoy the interesting combination of gorges, mountain streams and the highveld plateaus which offer beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscapes. The presence of gushing waterfalls, fast flowing mountain streams, indigenous trees, shrubs, veld flowers and the opportunity to spot several antelope species, bushpigs, and excellent bird-life will add to pleasurable hiking in this area. Supply own lights, tick repellent. During heavy rains the engineers release water from the Nooitgedacht Dam. This may result that bridges are flooded for about 1 hour thereby delaying access to Kloof. No dogs, no fires. Malaria and bilharzia free. Heavy mist could occur. Cell phone reception.
Enquiries: Jacana
Tel: 0861 522262
Fax: + 27 (0)12 734 0159
e-mail: bookings@jacanacollection.co.za

Kranskloof
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Carolina
Location: 30 km from Carolina, 250 km from Gauteng.
Description: Day trails from Kloof: 10, 8, 5 km. Hikers will find enjoyment in the interesting combination of gorges, mountain streams and the highveld plateaus which offer beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscapes. The presence of gushing waterfalls, fast flowing mountain streams, indigenous trees, shrubs, veld flowers and the opportunity to spot several antelope species, bushpigs, cat family members and excellent bird-life will add to pleasurable hiking of this area. Overnight facilities: Kloof: 3 huts each with 8 beds. Inkungu camp has 4 huts each with 6 beds. Ablution facilities include donkey boilers for hot/cold showers, flush toilets, basins. Kitchen has 2 plate gas cooker, pots, pans, potjies, braai facilities and wood. Undercover kitchen facilities and lapas.
Comments: Supply own lights, tick repellent. During heavy rains the engineers release water from the Nooitgedacht dam. This may result that bridges are flooded for ± an hour thereby delaying access to Kloof.
Enquiries: Jacana
Tel: 0861 522262
Fax: + 27 (0)12 734 0159
e-mail: bookings@jacanacollection.co.za

Mountain Trout
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: 14km/1 day; moderate; circular; camp site and caravan park; 10 persons max
Enquiries: Mountain Trout CC
Tel: + 27 (0)17 843-2088

Mountain Trout
Trail Type: Horse trail
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: Various routes on horseback; camp site and caravan park; 10 persons max
Enquiries: Mountain Trout CC
Tel: + 27 (0)17 843-2088

Mountain Trout
Trail Type: For disabled persons
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: Day routes; circular; camp site and caravan park; 10 persons max
Enquiries: Mountain Trout CC
Tel: + 27 (0)17 843-2088

Suikerboschfontein
Trail Type: Hiking trail
Closest Town: Carolina
Location: 20 km from Carolina. 220 km from Gauteng.
Description: 19.5km/2day; approximately 10 km per day; average to difficult; circular; Farmhouse at base, overnight huts; 21 persons max. Overnight facilities: Oom Japies: Holiday home with several rooms, 21 beds/mattresses, donkey fired geyser, toilets and showers. Kettle, potjie, pans and pots supplied. Braaigrid and wood. Drumbraai and wood supplied at Day hike Lunch spot. Rooikrans camp: Three huts sleeping six and one hut sleeping three. All other facilities like Oom Japies. Hikers will be pleasantly surprised at the diversity of terrain and flora on the Suikerboschfontein hiking trail. The unexpected beauty of the transvaal highveld comes into its own here. The two day circular hiking trail and a new one day trail are situated on the escarpment, approximately 20 km north-east of Carolina on the farm Suikerboschfontein which has been in the same family for nearly 100 years. Part of this trail traverses the Paulina van Niekerk private nature reserve. The terrain over which the trail traverses follows a winding trail through the basin and several deep gorges. The strong flowing mountain streams filled with indigenous trees and several varieties of ferns (some of the tree ferns being several metres high), offer cool and shady hiking conditions. Huge kiepersol and yellow wood trees are seen along the trail.
Neville Grading: 7.00
Comments: Combine the day trail as a third day to overnight at Rooikrans twice. Weather patterns can be variable.
Enquiries: Jacana
Tel: 0861 522262
Fax: + 27 (0)12 734 0159
e-mail: bookings@jacanacollection.co.za

Suikerboschfontein
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Carolina [Back to Top]
Location: 20 km from Carolina. 220 km from Gauteng.
Description: Day trail; approx 7 km; average to difficult; circular; 21 day hikers max. Hikers will be pleasantly surprised at the diversity of terrain and flora on the Suikerboschfontein hiking trail. The unexpected beauty of the transvaal highveld comes into its own here. The trail is situated on the escarpment, approximately 20 km north-east of Carolina on the farm Suikerboschfontein which has been in the same family for nearly 100 years. Part of this trail traverses the Paulina van Niekerk private nature reserve. The terrain over which the trail traverses follows a winding trail through the basin and several deep gorges. The strong flowing mountain streams filled with indigenous trees and several varieties of ferns (some of the tree ferns being several metres high), offer cool and shady hiking conditions. Huge kiepersol and yellow wood trees are seen along the trail. Drumbraai and wood supplied at Day hike Lunch spot.
Comments: Weather patterns can be variable.
Enquiries: Jacana
Tel: 0861 522262
Fax: + 27 (0)12 734 0159
e-mail: bookings@jacanacollection.co.za

The Brook
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Carolina
Description: 22km/2 day; difficult; circular; same hut both nights; 20 persons max; no child under 10
Enquiries: HL and H Lothair District Office
Tel: + 27 (0)17 845-3024
Fax: + 27 (0)17 845-3024

Fanie Botha
Trail Type: Hiking trail
Closest Town: Sabie
Description: Ceylon to Maritzbos to Stables to Ceylon. 3day/30.7 km; day 1, 8.7km; day 2, 12 km; day 3, 10 km; overnight huts, circular; 30 persons max. Starts at Ceylon Hut, parking at Ceylon Forest Station at the electrified fence workshop and hike about 500m to the Ceylon Hut. The Fanie Botha Hiking trail is still regarded as one of the best trails in the country. The scenery is breathtaking. There are, however, some fairly strenuous sections to be negotiated and in summer heat can be a problem. Komatiland Forestry have upgraded this trail and it is well worth a visit.
Comments: No dogs, malaria free, carrying of water a necessity, cell-phone reception.
Tel: + 27 (0)13 754 2724
Fax: + 27 (0)13 754 2790
e-mail: ecotour@klf.co.za

Fanie Botha - Mount Moodie Four Night Trail
Trail Type: Hiking trail
Closest Town: Sabie
Description: Fanie Botha -Mount Moodie 4 night trail. Ceylon to Graskop. 4 day/ km; day 1, Ceylon to Maritzbos, 8. km; day 2, Maritzbos to Stables, 12km; day 3, Stables to Mac Mac, 16.4km; day 4, Mac Mac to Botha Graskop, 22.3 or 13km. (choose between the long route of 23km via the escarpment and the Mac Mac Pools and the shorter route via the Bonnett). Sleep first night at Maritzbos not Ceylon. Park at Ceylon Forest Station at the electrified fence workshop and walk about 500m to the Ceylon Hut and on to Maritzbos. From Mac Mac Hut there is the option of finishing the trail at Graskop, thereby making the trail a four night trail. Mac Mac Hut to Graskop Hut 22,3Km/11Km There are two options for this day of the five day trail. One route follows the escarpment via the Mac Mac Pools which is 22,3Km while a shorter route of 11Km takes the hiker to Graskop via "The Bonnet". Graskop is also a beginning and ending point option. From Mac Mac Hut there is the option of finishing the trail at Graskop, thereby making the trail a four night trail. Mac Mac Hut to Graskop Hut 22,3Km/11Km There are two options for this day of the five day trail. One route follows the escarpment via the Mac Mac Pools which is 22,3Km while a shorter route of 11Km takes the hiker to Graskop via "The Bonnet". Graskop is also a beginning and ending point option.
Comments: No dogs, malaria free, carrying of water a necessity, cell-phone reception.
Enquiries: Komatiland
Tel: + 27 (0)13 754 2724
Fax: + 27 (0)13 754 2790
e-mail: ecotour@klf.co.za
Web: http://www.footprint.co.za/faniebotha.htm

Vaalribbok: Verkyk Nature Reserve
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Volksrust
Description: 6km/3hrs; average; circular; in nature reserve; guest house; 12 persons max; accommodation and hike discount for larger groups
Enquiries: Driehoek Boerdery Trust
Tel: + 27 (0)1773 3740

Vaalribbok: Verkyk Nature Reserve
Trail Type: Horse trail
Closest Town: Volksrust
Description: Various routes on horseback; in nature reserve; guest house; 12 persons max; Accommodation and hiking discount given for larger groups.
Enquiries: Driehoek Boerdery Trust
Tel: + 27 (0)1773 3740

Welverdiend
Trail Type: Day walk
Closest Town: Volksrust [Back to Top]
Description: The trail caters for 20 hikers and consists of two circular day hikes of 14Km and 7Km. Close by another trail (The Slang River Trail) which is 10Km long, can also be enjoyed. The hiking trails centre around the Slang river and the Buffels river. The area is very picturesgue and although there is little shade against the sun there is usually plenty of pools to take refuge in from the heat of the day. This trail is in an area that has been somewhat neglected in the last few years by hiking but is well worth a visit. The accommodation is of a suitable standard that the whole family can enjoy, even Gran. Welverdiend Hiking Trail is situated 21Km west of Volksrust and 250Km from Gauteng.
Enquiries: Anvie Ventures
Tel: +27 (0)12 662 0586/1140
e-mail: anvie@xsinet.co.za