280
120
160
200
240
320
LI
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ET
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E
PICBLANC
SL
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Wolw
ekloof
Bainskloof Pass
Bai
nskl
oof P
ass
Bain
sklo
of
Pass
Limietkop
Groenberg
Observation
Peak
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
Bobbejaans River
Witte
Riv
er
to Wolseley
R30
3
R303
Tweede Tol
to Wellington
(Eerste Tol)Bainskloof Corner Lodge
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360400
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320
360
400560
520
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480
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720600
760
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560 600640
680720 760
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880920
96010001040
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520560
13 km
0 5 10 15DISTANCE (km)
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)
Limietberg Day 1
HERESTART
P
P
Limietberg Day 1
Limietberg Day 2
last water point
Limietberg Day 2
0 5DISTANCE (km)
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500
0HE
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(m
)
H A W E Q U A S S T A T E
F O R E S T
H A W E Q U A S S T A T E
F O R E S T
H A W E Q U A S S T A T E
F O R E S T
Day 2 - START
The trail starts at Tweede Tol (safe parking isavailable) and ascends steadily intoWolwekloof for the first 4 km. You hike in asoutherly direction to Eerste Tol and theBainskloof Corner Lodge (2 km south of EersteTol).T
Enough water should be carried,as thereis no running water in summer. It is alsoadvisable to begin early to avoid the middayheat.
he route offers fantastic views over theBerg River Valley,Table Mountain, Simonsberg,the Franschhoek Mountains in the south, theVoëlvlei Dam, and the Riebeeck Valley to thenorth.
Hikers need to arrange their ownovernight accommodation at BainskloofCorner Lodge Tel:021 864 1159.
The next day hikers have 3 routes to choosefrom for the hike back toTweedeTol:
1 You can return along the route you walkedthe day before;
2 You can walk back along the Bainskloof Passfor a cultural historical perspective;
3 You can go back on the Rockhopper Trailwhich is along the riverbed of theWitte River.Follow the river downstream to Tweede Tol.This can only be done in summer.
Some 102 000 ha of fynbos-covered mountain slopes, challenging cliffs, and indigenous river
valleys make up the Limietberg Nature Reserve. It stretches from Franschhoek in the south, to
the Klein Drakenstein mountains in the east and the Elandsberge in the north, and forms part of
the greater Boland mountain range. The area is an important water catchment for the Breede and Berg
Rivers. The catchment also feeds the Wemmershoek, Stettynskloof and Brandvlei dams.
The weather conditions in these mountains vary from very hot and dry in the
summer months, to extremely cold and wet during the winter, with snow
on the higher peaks. Hikers are cautioned to heed weather reports.
Small antelope, baboon and the occasional caracal and leopard occur.
You may also be lucky enough to spot endemic birds such as the Cape
sugarbird and the protea canary, as well as the majestic black eagle.
Three endemic fish species are increasingly threatened by alien trout
fish that were introduced prior to the establishment of the reserve.
www.capenature.co.za
Limietberg
Rock Hopper
Happy Valley
Murasie
Miaspoort
Kromrivier
Elandsrivier
Bobbejaansrivier
Hiking Trails:
Roads:
Secondary Road
Freeway
National Road
Provincial Road
L E G E N D
Towns /built up areas
Contour intervals 40 m
Rivers and streams
Trail distance4.5 km
Railway line
Dams
Waterfalls
Look-out points
Graves
ParkingP
Swimming pools
Drinking waterw
T his popular two-day trail has
changed from the previous linear
route, to a circular route between
Tweede Tol in Bainskloof to Bainskloof
Corner Lodge, 2km south of Eerste Tol.
Groups are limited to 12 people, with a
maximum of 24 people per day.
3 Murasie2 Rock Hopper 4 Bobbejaansrivier1 Limietberg Trail 7 Elandsrivier6 Kromrivier5 Happy Valley 8 Miaspoort
Day 1: 13 km, 8 hours. Day 2: 7.5km, 5 hours.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
All persons entering this conservation area and using its
facilities do so entirely at their own risk. The Western
Cape Nature Conservation Board and/or its employees
and/or agents and/or its successors in title shall not be
liable for any damage, loss, theft, injury, accident or death
suffered by any person, howsoever caused.
Right of Admission Reserved.
FIRE LIABILITY
Fire is a major environmental, human and livelihood
threat. Anyone caught lighting, using or maintaining a fire
or attempting to light, use or maintain a fire in areas other
than those demarcated by the Nature Reserve Manager
will be in contravention of the National Veld and Forest
Fire Act (101 of 1998) and will be liable for a fine as well
as all costs incurred to extinguish the fire.
PLEASE BE FIREWISE.
PLEASE REMEMBER
Your safety is your responsibility
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
(021) 871 1535/6 (weekdays)
082 494 9707 (weekends)
HikingTrailsLimietbergNATURE RESERVE
R
45
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44
R
43
3
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8
5
Witels River
FranschhoekPass
DuToitskloof
Pass
Bainsk
loof
Pas
s
to Villiersdorpto Stellenbosch
to Ceresto Gouda
to Malmesbury
to Cape Town
to Cape Town
Mont RochelleMemorialCat-se-pad
Observation Point
Fisherman’sCave
Suurvlakte
START ofLimietberg
Trail
WEMMERSHOEKDAM
STETTYNSKLOOFDAM
Elands River
Krom River
Bree R
iver
Berg R
iver
Bobbejaans River
Witt
e Rive
r
PERDEKOP
LIMIETKOP
PIC BLANC
1122
1598
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D U
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T N
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PAARLBERGE
HA
PP
YVA
LLEY
HA
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KW
AM
TN
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WITTEBERG
WO
LW
EK
LO
OF
GROOTDRAKENSTEINMTNS
Du Toitskloof Tunnel
HuguenotTunnel
HawequasForestryStation
DU
TOITSKLO
OF
LI
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BE
RG
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Tweede Tol
(Eerste Tol)Turn back point for Limietberg Trail (Day 2)
De NekBainskloof Corner Lodge
Wellington
Rawsonville
Worcester
Paarl
Franschhoek
BRANDVLEI DAM
KWAGGASKLOOF DAM
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iver
Breede River
Holslo
ot R
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Smal
Riv
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0 5 km
300
R101
R303
5
EXIT 62/ASonstraal Rd
HawequasBospad
HUGUENOTKOP
HUGUENOTKOP
HUGUENOTKOP
Planning
Weather
Always carry the following items:
Plan your hike thoroughly,paying attention to:• Permit requirements and gate times.• Availability of water.• Size of group (preferably three or more), never
hike alone.• Fitness and medical condition of group members.
The slowest person determines the pace ofhiking.
• Inform someone of your plans and expected timeof return.
• Time of start and expected finish.• Time of sunset and tides.
Weather conditions can change very quickly.Do notattempt to hike if a trail is closed - it can endangerlives• If the weather takes a turn for the worse, make
your way back to the start as quickly as possible.Do not attempt to complete the trail.
• Weather forecasts are available at tel:082 162.If indoubt,phone the reserve before leaving home.
• Headlamp /Torch (with new batteries)• Compass / GPS• At least a 1,5 l water bottle• Cell phone with spare battery• First aid kit
Clothing and Footwear
• Boots or shoes should be sturdy with strong non-slip soles and must be well worn in.Tennis shoesand sandals are not suitable.
• Sun hats are essential, even on cool days. In coldweather,wear a warm cap to prevent heat loss.
• Whistle• Matches in a waterproof container.• Warm jacket
because it may impairjudgement and cause dehydration.
• Keep the group together.• Keep moving if possible.• If unable to continue due to injury or collapse,or if
weather conditions become too severe, seekshelter.
• Stay on or close to the path to be visible to arescue party.Do not stray from a given route.
• In case of emergency notify the reserve office orphone 10177.
• If possible,send two experienced group membersto report the accident. Don't abandon thecasualty.
• Give the rescue team full name,age of the casualty;the type of injury;the location of the accident.
• Never descend via unknown terrain. Loosestones and hidden cliffs can be deadly.
• Sunlight and weather permitting, retrace yoursteps until reaching a known route. Otherwise,stay where you are until rescued.
• Use bright items to reveal your position to searchteams.Blow a whistle to attract attention.
(abnormally low body temperature)Wet, wind and cold can cause hypothermia.Symptoms include stumbling, uncontrolled shivering,slurred speech, loss of memory and drowsiness. Staydry and warm and seek shelter while you still haveenergy,but try to stay near the path.
Alcohol is not permitted
In the event of an emergency or accident :
Being lost
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Fires can be deadly!
Conservation
(heat exhaustion)Hot weather, insufficient liquid and exhaustion cancause hyperthermia or heat exhaustion. Symptomscan include exhaustion, stumbling, dizziness,headaches and impaired vision.
The following points can help to avoid hyperthermia:• Hike in the cool of morning and later afternoon.• Rest in the shade during midday.• Drink enough water.
• Stay calm and think in practical terms. Keep yourgroup together, keep water bottles filled and, ifpossible, wet your equipment and clothes.Synthetic materials can melt.
• Never try to out-run a fire, especially uphill.Takenote of changes in wind direction.
• Find water, rock slabs or cleared areas and staythere. Avoid thick bush, kloofs and rocky areaswhere you could be trapped.
• Try to keep to jeep tracks,paths or open slopes.• Wave bright items to attract attention.• Inform the trail authorities when you reach the
end of your hike.
• Do not interfere with plants or animals,or defacerocks or trees.
• Take all litter home with you.• Use a small spade to bury toilet matter.• Fires are strictly prohibited.• Never discard cigarette butts - they cause veld
fires and are unsightly.• Stick to paths and walk in single file to avoid soil
erosion.
Reservations:
South Africa: (021)483 0190International: 0861 227 362 8873
or email: [email protected]
Tel:(021) 871 1535/6
082 494 9707
Enquiries:
Reserve cell:
NO FIRESARE
ALLOWED ALONG
THE ROUTE.
20.5 km, 2 days. Circular.
1 Limietberg Trai l
CapeNature manages large areas in the Western Cape, and encourages hikers to enjoy their wild
beauty. Hiking is a wonderful opportunity to explore naturalareas, but could end in tragedy if these
guidelines are not followed.H I K I N G S A F E T Y
10 km, 6 hours. There and back.
From the fenced parking area (for permit hold-ers) near the exit of the tunnel on the
Worcester side, follow the trail across the bridgeover the Molenaars River. After crossing the river,the trail heads upstream and then ascends alongthe right-hand slopes of the Krom River. Beforereaching the first waterfall, the path passesthrough a magnificent patch of indigenous forest.Extreme caution must be exercised when climb-ing to the second waterfall with its impressivepool.This popular trail might be closed during win-ter and heavy rains.Please inquire first.
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DuToitskloof
Pass
Bainsk
loof
Pas
s
Malm
esbury
Cape
Town
Fisherman’sCave
Suurvlakte
START ofLimietberg
Trail
WEMMERSHOEKDAM
STETTYNSKLOOFDAM
Elands River
Krom River
Bobbejaans River
Witt
e Rive
r
LIMIETKOP
PIC BLANC
1598
1152
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SH
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K
MT
NS
D U
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I T S M
T N
S
GE
HA
PP
YVA
LLEY
HA
WE
KW
AM
TN
S
WITTEBERG
WO
LW
EK
LO
OF
Du Toitskloof Tunnel
HuguenotTunnel
HawequasForestryStation
DU
TOITSKLO
OF
LI
MI
ET
BE
RG
E
Tweede Tol
(Eerste Tol)Turn back point for Limietberg Trail (Day 2)
De NekBainskloof Corner Lodge
Wellington
Rawsonville
Paarl
300
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1200
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600
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1200
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9
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1500
Klip
River
Berg R
iver
Holslo
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0 km
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R101
R303
5
EXIT 62/ASonstraal Rd
HawequasBospad
HUGUENOTKOP
HUGUENOTKOP
HUGUENOTKOP
This moderate to difficult adventure challengesyou to find your own way up or down the
boulder-strewn riverbed of the Witte River.Leaving the Bainskloof Lodge parking area, youclimb down to the river and follow it downstreamto Tweede Tol.The trail alternates between rockhopping, walking, and swimming through to thelast pool at Tweede Tol. Noteworthy among theriverine vegetation are the tall yellowwoods.Youwill need a vehicle to get you to the start andanother to collect you at the end.
This route in Bainskloof Pass follows a sectionof the Limietberg Trail and ends at Junction
Pool. The trail is limited to 12 people per day. Itstarts at the Bainskloof Lodge parking area -
follow the gravel road for about 150 m thenclimb over a fence using the wooden stile. Fromhere, hikers follow the jeep track parallel to theWitte River that has some spine-tingling pools,with Junction Pool as one of the most popularpools in the Boland Mountains.
fromthere
Look out for afurrow, “Die Witrivier se Grip”, that was built byfarmers in 1856 to divert water from the WitteRiver to the Berg RiverValley.
(part of the HappyValley trail)
Take an easy stroll up to the ruins of Hugo'sRest, a house seemingly surrounded by ill for-
tune.The trail starts at the Bainskloof Lodge park-ing area.About 150 m from the parking area youclimb over a fence using a wooden stile. Follow ajeep track past a memorial to four people whodrowned in 1895 while attempting to save a stu-dent from a flooding river. Walk a little furtherand take your next turn to the right to find thehaunted ruin where a young woman was mur-dered in 1978.This route is ideal for large groups,with some good swimming pools along the way.
LIM
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S L A
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H O
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M T
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Wolw
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Bain
sklo
of P
ass
Limietkop
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
Bobbejaans River
Wit
te R
iver
0 1 km
Bai
nskl
oof Pas
s
Tweede Tol
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640 6
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880
to Wolseley
to Wellington
0 5DISTANCE (km)
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(m
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Rock Hopper
(Eerste Tol)
Bainskloof Corner Lodge
P
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R303
720
720
680
640
760
760
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800
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840
880
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920
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960
960
960
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sklo
of
Pass
Klein
Wellington
Sneeukop
Hugo’s Rest
Junction Pool
Witte
River
to Wellington
Witte Rivertragedy
to Wolseley
De Nek
0 0.5 km
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40
1040
10
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1000
R303
1000
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00 2 4
DISTANCE (km)
HE
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(m
)
Happy Valley
Murasie
Bainskloof CornerLodgeBainskloof CornerLodge
P
Woodenstile
Woodenstile
Woodenstile
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M u r a s i e
Happy Valley
1000
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DISTANCE (km)
HE
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(m
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(Eerste Tol)
Bainskloof CornerLodge
600600
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520
480
640640
680720
760
800
840880
920960
1000
1040
Kr o
mR
i v er
to Paarl
to Cape Town
from Worcester
to Worcester
HuguenotTunnel
El ands
River
Kromrivier
Old Du ToitskloofTunnel
Elandsrivier
P
1000
500
00 1 2 3
DISTANCE (km)
HE
IG
HT
(m
)
R101
bridgebridge
0 0.5 km
9 km, 5 hours. There and back.
The trail starts at the Bainskloof Lodge parkingarea at De Nek. It winds along the
Bobbejaans River, a tributary of the Witte River.You cross theWitte River for an easy walk along acontour above the river.After about 3,5 km, thereis a turn-off to inviting pools in the river.The final750 m ascends steeply to the three-tieredwaterfall. This trail is very popular in summer,when the disas and giant proteas are in bloom.TheWitte River is difficult to cross in the winter.
© CapeNature 1/15
5 Happy Val ley
This trail starts on the old Du Toitskloof Passabove the eastern entrance of the Huguenot
tunnel. It is a long and initially difficult walk as thefirst two hours are a steep climb to the top of theridge. An easy walk along the ridge is followed byanother steep ascent to the cross at HuguenotKop, erected in February 1945 by Italian Prison-ers-of-War who built the pass. At 1 318 m, thehiker is rewarded with unsurpassed views overthe entire Boland mountain range and PaarlValley.
8 km, 6 hours. There and back.
1160 1120
1080
1040
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920
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840
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720680
640600
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1200124012801320136013001340
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Deviation Buttress
Woodenstile
MountainClub route
(Eerste Tol)
De Nek
Bainsklo
of Pass to Wellington
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
Bobbe j a an s R i v e r
O
B
IE
K
W
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N
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Wi t
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Ri v
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Wit
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Riv
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R303
Bishop’s Arch
Pilkington Bridge
0 km
0 5DISTANCE (km)
1500
1000
500
0HE
IGH
T(m
)
Bobbejaansrivier
P
BainskloofCornerLodge
Krom
River
Elands R
iver
800
760
840
720680
640
600
560
600
600
560
560
540
540
540
520
520
520
480
640
640
680
68
0720
760
680
720760800840880920
9601000
10401080
to Worcester
fromWorcester
to Paarl
Du ToitskloofTunnel
HuguenotTunnel
0 1 2 3DISTANCE (km)
1000
500
0HE
IGH
T(m
)
Elandsrivier
Kromrivier
5000 m
Fisherman’sCave
P
R101
1200
1200
1160
11601200
1120
1120
1080
10
40
10401000960
640
920
880 840
800760
720680
96
09
20
880
700
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620500
1240
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1360
De Poort
D
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A
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EN
ST
EI
N
M
T
N
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Du To
itskloof Pass
Huguenot
Kop1280
km
0 0.5
0 1 2 3 4DISTANCE (km)
1500
1000
500
0
HE
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(m
)
600560
520
480
to Paarl
to Worcester
entrance toHuguenot Tunnel
Miaspoort
P
HuguenotTunnel
R101
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3375
3000
2625
2250
1875
1500
1125
750
375
0
DIF
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US
Ek
Ca
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8 Miaspoort
This trail is immediately to the right after theWorcester exit of the tunnel. There is a
fenced parking area for permit holders. From theparking area follow the trail towards the bridge.Before the bridge, at the signpost, hikers turn lefttowards the tunnel. After an initial steep climb,the route becomes easier following the ElandsRiver. It swings away from the river at places,ascending quite high,and providing views over thevalley. The trail then descends to the Fisherman'sCave overhang,with its dense vegetation and riverpool.
This trail is very popular in the winter as norivers are crossed.
7 km, 3 hours. There and back.
Muras ie
7 km, 5 hours. There and back.
6 Kromriv ier
6 km, 5 hours. There and back.
E landsr iv ier7
3
These facilities available only at Tweede Tol:
Limietberg
Rock Hopper
Happy Valley
Murasie
Miaspoort
Kromrivier
Elandsrivier
Bobbejaansrivier
L E G E N D
Hiking Trails:
Roads:
Railway line
Contour intervals 40 m
Dams
Look-out points
Graves
Waterfalls
Towns / built up areas
Rivers and streams
FreewayNational RoadProvincial Road
ParkingP
Secondary Road
Drinking water
Swimming pools
3 Murasie
2 Rock Hopper
4 Bobbejaansrivier
1 Limietberg Trail
7 Elandsrivier
6 Kromrivier
5 Happy Valley
8 Miaspoort
7.5 km, 5 hours. Open end.
Can walk up or downstream.
Rock Hopper2
Bobbejaansr iv ier4