Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
The hike starts and ends in Kaapsehoop. From Nelspruit, take the Hermansburg road to the Kaapsehoop Pass and Ngodwana (30km). From Joburg, take the N12 to Emalahleni and the N4 towards Waterval Boven, turning off onto the Kaapsehoop Pass at Ngodwana (311km).
NEED TO KNOW
You need to be fairly fit to do this hike. There are streams, rivers and dams along the route, but we struggled to find the drinking-water points indicated on the map. Carry enough water for each day and fill up at the overnight stops. Barrett’s Coaches has electricity; the huts have donkey boilers with firewood stacked for a warm shower or braai. Only Barrett’s Coaches could be locked from the inside, but Rudi told us there have never been any safety issues at the accommodation or on the trail. Plantation roads are fairly close to the trail, making access easy in case of an emergency, and there is cellphone reception.
WHEN TO GO
The hike can be done all year round. During the day it’s around 25°C in summer and around 17°C in winter. With parts of the trail at 1 628 metres above sea level, nights can get rather cold (in winter, as low as 3°C). There is regular mist and reasonably high rainfall, particularly in summer, so pack a poncho and a raincover for your backpack.
WHAT TO BRING
A camping gas-burner if you prefer not to do all your cooking on coals. There were some kitchen utensils at Florence Hill, but it’s best to bring your own. There are beds and mattresses in all the huts (16 at Kaapsehoop, 10 at Florence Hill, 24 at Wattles and 24 in one coach at Barrett’s).
BOOKING
Hiking costs R130 pp per day. There is a slackpacking option, with portage for R350 to R450 per hut for four hikers. 013-754-2724, safcol.co.za