Kingdom Camp Trail
From Kingdom Camp there
are three trails options:
1.
Blue Foot Route (±2 km/±1 hr)
- short, easy, relaxing walk on the riverbanks to
a huge rock overlooking the distant mountains with
the Wilge River below. The route is marked with blue
trail foot markers.
2.
Paradors/Donkerkloof Loop (±8 km/±4
hrs) - circular route ascending steeply behind Kingdom
Camp in a westerly direction to open
bushveld. The route also goes through a shady kloof
and past a natural fountain surrounded by tree ferns.
Mountain zebra and eland are often seen. Typical trees
along this route include naboom and proteas. The route
is marked with yellow trail foot markers.
3.
Overnight Hike – Snaaksekrans Loop
has two possibilities: a hike to (a) Slagthoek
House or (b) Grootdraai
Hut. The route is marked with white
trail foot markers.
a.
Hike to Slagthoek House:
Crossing the Olifants River is necessary for this
hike. Route starts with a gentle climb along the banks
of a stream before ascending steeply onto the high
ridge. There is a magnificent view of the Olifants/Wilge
confluence and the path then descends down to the
river itself. There are rocks and boulders to negotiate,
but the scenery is breathtaking with several rapids
and pools for cooling down - especially in the hot
summer months. The trail crosses the Olifants River
twice and after rain or during the rainy season the
current can be quite strong when the river is high.
There
are two possibilities: hikers destined for Slagthoek
House can turn left (distance ±3
km), or hikers can proceed to Grootdraai
Hut with the path to the right (distance
±5 km). To
reach Slagthoek House hikers
must climb a steep gorge with numerous boulders.
b.
Hike to Grootdraai Hut:
From the river crossing the path ascends steeply towards
Snaaksekrans which is visible in the distance. It
then meanders along the cliff ridge above the Olifants
River with spectacular views to the distant large
pools. From Grootdraai Hut
hikers go via Bamboeskloof which ascends to the south
through wooded valleys to the upper high plateau linking
Paradors Loop with Donkerkloof and Kingdom
Camp.
Slagthoek House Trail
Two
circular hiking routes can be followed from Slagthoek
House:
1.
God’s Window Route (±12 km):
Climbing gently from Slagthoek House
the track continues to a viewpoint high above the
Olifants River. There are magnificent views of the
steep cliffs descending vertically down to the Olifants
River far below. Eventually the track drops down via
Gifkoppie to a large pool in the Olifants River. From
there the track continues up a steep rocky ravine
back to Slagthoek House.
2.
Cycad Route (±11 km): A steady walk
along an old farm road leads into Boschkloof farm
to the south where a permanent, natural stream cascades
down numerous waterfalls on its way down to the Olifants
River. The route follows its course and eventually
ascends through a cycad garden to a series of grass-covered
valleys higher up. A link path here connects with
the island crossing to Grootdraai Hut
if preferred. For those opting to return to Slagthoek
House the path continues with magnificent
views to the west of Snaaksekrans and distant hills
before descending back to Slagthoek House.
There is a link path from Slagthoek House
to Grootdraai Hut connecting
the Island Crossing Route (±6 km). |
