Swellendam Trail

 

​​​​​​​ITINERARY

​​​DAY 1 - ARRIVAL AT MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE OFFICE

​Please arrive at the Marloth Nature Reserve office by 07:45 for a warm welcome and introduction.  A park ranger will provide a briefing on the Swellendam Trail before we start the hike.  Be sure to have something to eat beforehand, as breakfast will be enjoyed later in the mountains.

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HIKING (DISTANCE:  17,5  KM, ESTIMATED DURATION:  8 HOURS )

MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE OFFICE - BOSKLOOF HUT

​This is the longest and most demanding day of the trail.  The majority of the day will be spent hiking uphill, with several stream crossings along the way.  Water levels will vary depending on recent rainfall in the area.  There is a steep section of downhill in the last 4km with very rocky terrain.  The last descent is over once you reach the wooden bridge.  At this point you are about 1km from the hut.  There is a long uphill for the last 1km of the hike – it’s the last push to the hut.

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DAY 2 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  10 KM, ESTIMATED DURATION:  7  HOURS)

BOSKLOOF HUT - GOEDGELOOF HUT

​Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains,  The trail begins with a 1 km uphill climb, zig-zagging through fynbos on the slopes opposite the Boskloof Hut.  The path levels out after about 1.5km but then climbs again., taking you up and over the northern slopes of the mountain.  Shortly thereafter, you will cover a series of flat, zig-zag and slightly sloped sections of the trail, and after walking about 7km, you should reach the highest altitude for the day 1,315m.  You will then begin the final descent for the day, and the Goedgeloof Hut will soon become visible, along with some beautiful farms in the distance.  Don’t be fooled by the huts’ seemingly close proximity.  From this point, it is still nearly 4km to the huts, and the terrain is fairly slow-going as it is very rocky.  The trail also traverses up and down the slope, so it often feels like you will never get there.

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DAY 3 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  9,5 KM, ESTIMATED DURATION:  5  HOURS)

GOEDGELOOF HUT - PROTEAVALLEI HUT

​Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains.  Day 3 offers easier walking than the first two days and definitely the most beautiful day.  The first 3 km are relatively easy-going, so you will manage to hike this section quite quickly.  The path does meander uphill, but the incline is gradual, so it’s a great way to warm up your legs.  You need the warmup for the monster hill that awaits.  After the water point you will face a long (±1.5km) steep uphill section that seems to be never-ending.  Once you reached the top of the hill there is about 5km of the trail still left to hike from this point to the hut, but it is through the most beautiful section of tall proteas everywhere you look (it’s not called Protea Valley for nothing).

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DAY 4 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  8 KM, ESTIMATED DURATIION:  4 HOURS)

PROTEAVALLEI HUT - WOLFKLOOF HUT​

Breakfast will be enjoyed at the hut.  Day 4 is short day, but comprises mainly of one long downhill that can be tricky underfoot as sections of the trail can be very slippery in wet conditions.  The day starts with a short 1.3 km uphill after which, the trail meanders down the mountain and then you will begin the descent along Kruispad for the remainder of the day.  It has some very steep sections, but also some flatter sections.  In the last kilometer before reaching the hut, you will walk along the side of a pine forest before making your way down the steep path to Wolfkloof Hut.

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DAY 5 - HIKING (DISTANCE:  12,5 KM, ESTIMATED DURATION:  6,5 HOURS)

WOLFKLOOF HUT - MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE OFFICE

​​​​Breakfast will be enjoyed in the mountains.  Day 5 starts with a river crossing, which may require removing your shoes, depending on recent rainfall.  After crossing, the trail zig-zags uphill for 2.5 km.  There’s a short section of contour path, followed by more zig-zagging for another 2 km.  At 4.5 km, you'll find a stream and shortly after, the trail descends s steeply into a forest and along a jeep track, offering shaded and easier walking.

At the 7 km mark, we  cross a causeway that leads into the Hermitage Forest.  The trail zig-zags uphill yet again, before descending into a blue-gum forest. After 8.5 km, you will reach another jeep track that has a few sneaky inclines.  It’s the trail’s way of reminding us that the hike is not over until you are back at your car.  This entire section of the hike is mostly well shaded and the smells in the forest after a long period of rain are something to experience.  As we near the office, take a moment to pause, look back, and appreciate the achievement of completing a challenging and rewarding hike.  Savor the sense of accomplishment and the memories made along the way.  Once we reached the office it's time we say goodbye-till we meet again.​

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End of tour

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