TAKE A HIKE
On this hike you can look forward to not one but two beautiful waterfalls – and some river crossings.
The easy Krom River Trail will lead you to one of the biggest rock pools in the Western Cape and a magnificent waterfall.
KROM RIVER TRAIL, LIMIETBERG NATURE RESERVE
There’s a misconception that easy hikes have average views. To see the best vistas and waterfalls, you have to be prepared to sweat and slog. You have to earn it, right? Maybe that’s why many people find it hard to believe that the easy Krom River Trail will lead you to one of the biggest rock pools in the Western Cape and a magnificent waterfall. The trail is in the Limietberg Nature Reserve. It starts on the eastern side of the Huguenot Tunnel, just off the N1. There’s a parking area next to the highway – this is the start point for both the Krom River and Elands River trails. Go through the small gate, follow the gravel road and cross the low-water bridge. The turn-off to the Elands River Trail is just before the bridge; you should continue straight. The sign for the Krom River Trail is just down the road on the left. At first you’ll follow a track along the slopes of the Du Toit’s Mountains and the Molenaars River. The only niggle is that you have to pass beneath the N1 and you’ll hear traffic for the first kilometre or two. There’s a right turn after about half an hour. The mountain opens up into a green kloof full of fynbos. You’ll soon forget all about the traffic as Cape grassbirds and Cape weavers chatter in the trees, the river murmurs in the background and black girdled lizards dart over the rocks. This is where the fun part of the hike begins. Now the trail criss-crosses the Krom River and you’ll often have to scramble and hop from rock to rock. For about an hour, you’ll walk deeper and deeper into the mountains. The ground is damp in the shade and the air will be cool – be careful and don’t slip in the mud. There are tree trunks along the trail to walk on, but make peace with the fact that your shoes will get dirty. Up to this point the trail has been fairly easy and level, with only a handful of inclines. Deeper in the kloof, however, the terrain gets a bit more technical. You have to climb over boulders using chains to reach the first waterfall. Rest your legs here and eat an energy bar. If you hike the trail between December and March, look for red disas on the cliffs next to the waterfall. From the first waterfall, another set of chains takes you even higher up the kloof. The rocks are slippery so be careful. If you thought the first waterfall was beautiful, you’re in for a treat: A second waterfall tumbles about 50 m into a tannin-black pool. It’s as tall as a five-storey building. Jump from the cliffs if you know what you’re doing or just have a dip and dry off on a sunny rock. When I did the trail, I came across a group of pensioners on their way to the first waterfall – this hike really is for everyone!
Distance: The trail is only about 7 km in total there and back, but set aside about six hours because there are lots of river pools and places to rest along the way. Where? Du Toit’s Mountains, Limietberg Nature Reserve. The parking area is just east of the Huguenot Tunnel, on the left as you exit the tunnel. Toll fee R35,50 per vehicle. Permit: A hiking permit costs R44 per person. E-mail info@capenature.co.za or buy one at Du Kloof Lodge ( duklooflodge.co.za) near the start of the trail. Trail opening times: Daily from 7 am to 5 pm. Map? The trail is marked with painted footprints and stone cairns. Download a map from the CapeNature website ( capenature.co.za). Select “Limietberg Nature Reserve” from the drop-down menu, then “Activities” and “Hiking and Walking”. Water? Take your own drinking water. The river water is clean, but people swim in the pools upstream.