Location

Rooikrans Hiking Trail is situated near the Loskop Dam, about 130 km from Pretoria and 150 km from Johannesburg.

Accommodation

The base camp accommodates 30  hikers.  Ablution facilities comprise of hot showers (supplied by a “Donkie”), basins and flush toilets.    The kitchen is equipped with a stove, fridge, pots, pans, kettle, cooking utensils, stainless steel table and scullery.

Route description

This is a figure 8 route.  Day one is 13.5 km and meanders across the valley, crosses various watercourses, and then back along the escarpment while negotiating various ravines along the way.   Day 2 (9 km) crosses the valley, various watercourses, and then negotiates ravines and part of the escarpment. The trail is on a game and cattle farm, where you are sure to see some of the many different species of game, wide variety of bird life and flora.  The farm’s water supply is from natural springs, which will be encountered along both of the routes, where a large variety of indigenous trees also provide welcome shade during the summer months.  80 Different trees have been marked.

Additional information

• Bring your own bedding, cutlery, food and braaiwood.
• Don’t forget mosquito killers!
• Vehicles must be in a good roadworthy condition.
• The cost is R63 per person per night plus R25 booking fee per group

 DIFFICULTY RATING ROOIKRANS (4)

1. exceptionally easy
2. easy
3. easy to moderate
4. moderate
5. moderate to difficult
6. moderate to difficult
7. fairly difficult
8. difficult
9. difficult to very difficult
10. extremely difficult (1)
11. exceptionally difficult (2)

 The rating is done in terms of hikers of average fitness i.e. people who hike only a few times per year.

(HIKING TRAILS & DAY WALKS – Leon Hugo)

Acknowledgement and bookings: Discovery Trails