Limietberg - CapeNature

to Gouda
Wit
els
to Ceres
Rive
r
to Wolseley
120
00
18
Hiking
Trails
iver
R
44
PIC
ek
44
s
Pa
s
560
300
900
r
ive
5
Worcester
WA
1
H A 200
WE
K
Krom River
de
R30
280
Bai
520
5600 600
64 680
720 760
840 80
92 88 0
0 0
9
10 60
10 00
40
bb
eja
an
sR
Bainskloof Corner Lodge
ive
r
Observation
Peak
iver
Sm
al R
BRANDVLEI DAM
0
r
TO
ive
U
sR
D
nd
Ho
S
E
T
K
M
T
va
tio
n
PERDEKOP
Po
i
A
I
nt
STETTYNSKLOOF
DAM
N
S
0
1122
00
3
5 km
3 Murasie
L E G E N D
Railway line
Towns /built up areas
Contour intervals 40 m
Rivers and streams
Dams
Trail distance
Look-out points
Graves
Waterfalls
P
w
Parking
Drinking water
Swimming pools
oek Pass
Franschh
Franschhoek
River
2 Rock Hopper
4.5 km
60
00
3
NO FIRES ARE
ALLOWED ALONG
THE ROUTE.
Mont Rochelle
Memorial
Cat-se-pad
Berg
TNS
0
S
L
A
N
G
520 0
56
Day 1: 13 km, 8 hours.
lsl
TN
oo
M
tR
ive
r
S
er
IN M
L i m i e t b e r g Tr a i l
his popular two-day trail has
changed from the previous linear
route, to a circular route between
Tweede Tol in Bainskloof to Bainskloof
Corner Lodge, 2km south of Eerste Tol.
Groups are limited to 12 people, with a
maximum of 24 people per day.
N
bs
STE
48
H
O
IT
H
O
Reservations:
South Africa: (021)483 0190
International: 0861 227 362 8873
or email: reservation.alert@capenature.co.za
1
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
20.5 km, 2 days. Circular.
U
R
45
0
ss
Ela
KWAGGASKLOOF DAM
O
www.capenature.co.za
44
R303
O
EN
RAK
loof Pa
40
F
S
WEMMERSHOEK
DAM
Reserve cell: 082 494 9707
Bainsk
360
O
R
to Cape Town
Roads:
Freeway
National Road
Provincial Road
Secondary Road
P
Riv
to Wellington
M
E
Hiking Trails:
Limietberg
Rock Hopper
Murasie
Happy Valley
Bobbejaansrivier
Miaspoort
Kromrivier
Elandsrivier
Day 2 - START
(Eerste Tol)
7
M
1 Limietberg Trail
Bo
0
0
5 10 15
DISTANCE (km)
LO
SK
IT
TO
oof
E
OTD
500
Du Toitskloof Tunnel
W
0
0
5
DISTANCE (km)
Rawsonville
0
30
6
Fisherman’s
Cave
8
GRO
nsk
1000
5
er
Huguenot
Tunnel
HUGUENOT
KOP
to Stellenbosch
HEIGHT (m)
1500
ee
skl
EXIT 62/A
Sonstraal Rd
500
Limietberg Day 2
2000
1598
WITTEBERG
R101
1000
HAWEQUAS STATE
FOREST
Witte R i v er
4
pR
NS
er
Br
Pass
1500
400
440 480
600
Limietberg Day 1
Riv
Kli
3
Limietberg Day 2
Groenberg
eja
ans
720
Limietkop
0
00
bb
0
52
76
12
Bo
MT
640
680
klo
ins
Ba
2
Limietberg Day 1
0
600
48
300
of
I
L
1152
oit
Du T
Hawequas
Forestry
Station
U
D
Paarl
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
(021) 871 1535/6 (weekdays)
082 494 9707 (weekends)
last water point
Suurvlakte
Hawequas
Bospad
PAARLBERGE
m
13 k
HEIGHT (m)
600
P
360
900
a ss
of P
Tweede Tol
ss
i
W
of
0
280
32
0
36
0
400
I
M
LIMIETKOP
0
R303
FIRE LIABILITY
Fire is a major environmental, human and livelihood
threat. Anyone caught lighting, using or maintaining a fire
or attempting to light, use or maintain a fire in areas other
than those demarcated by the Nature Reserve Manager
will be in contravention of the National Veld and Forest
Fire Act (101 of 1998) and will be liable for a fine as well
as all costs incurred to extinguish the fire.
PLEASE BE FIREWISE.
START
HERE
w
f Pa
ive
R
tte
Tweede Tol
1
30
0
90
to Cape Town
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
All persons entering this conservation area and using its
facilities do so entirely at their own risk. The Western
Cape Nature Conservation Board and/or its employees
and/or agents and/or its successors in title shall not be
liable for any damage, loss, theft, injury, accident or death
suffered by any person, howsoever caused.
Right of Admission Reserved.
W
ol
loo
E
B
T
E
r
START of
E Limietberg
K
Trail
LO
O
F
00
LW
LEY
Y VAL
HAPP
0
60
R
45
PLEASE REMEMBER
Your safety is your responsibility
NC
0
Bainskloof Corner Lodge
0
BLA
32
00
240
G
R
00
18
O
Turn back point for Limietberg Trail (Day 2)
(Eerste Tol)
De Nek
Wellington
L I
M I
E T
B E
R G
E
E
0
00
15
W
12
River
to Malmesbury
Enquiries:
Tel:(021) 871 1535/6
3 km
20
18
Berg
NATURE RESERVE
2
lo
PIC BLANC
Limietberg
1
160
sklo
3
Bree R
0
R
43
Bain
HIKING SAFETY
to Villiersdorp
4 Bobbejaansrivier
5 Happy Valley
6 Kromrivier
7 Elandsrivier
S
8 Miaspoort
ome 102 000 ha of fynbos-covered mountain slopes, challenging cliffs, and indigenous river
valleys make up the Limietberg Nature Reserve. It stretches from Franschhoek in the south, to
the Klein Drakenstein mountains in the east and the Elandsberge in the north, and forms part of
the greater Boland mountain range. The area is an important water catchment for the Breede and Berg
Rivers. The catchment also feeds the Wemmershoek, Stettynskloof and Brandvlei dams.
The weather conditions in these mountains vary from very hot and dry in the
summer months, to extremely cold and wet during the winter, with snow
on the higher peaks. Hikers are cautioned to heed weather reports.
Small antelope, baboon and the occasional caracal and leopard occur.
You may also be lucky enough to spot endemic birds such as the Cape
sugarbird and the protea canary, as well as the majestic black eagle.
Three endemic fish species are increasingly threatened by alien trout
fish that were introduced prior to the establishment of the reserve.
Planning
Plan your hike thoroughly,paying attention to:
• Permit requirements and gate times.
• Availability of water.
• Size of group (preferably three or more), never
hike alone.
• Fitness and medical condition of group members.
The slowest person determines the pace of
hiking.
• Inform someone of your plans and expected time
of return.
• Time of start and expected finish.
• Time of sunset and tides.
Weather
Weather conditions can change very quickly. Do not
attempt to hike if a trail is closed - it can endanger
lives
• If the weather takes a turn for the worse, make
your way back to the start as quickly as possible.
Do not attempt to complete the trail.
• Weather forecasts are available at tel:082 162.If in
doubt,phone the reserve before leaving home.
Clothing and Footwear
• Boots or shoes should be sturdy with strong nonslip soles and must be well worn in.Tennis shoes
and sandals are not suitable.
• Sun hats are essential, even on cool days. In cold
weather,wear a warm cap to prevent heat loss.
Always carry the following items:
• Headlamp /Torch (with new batteries)
• Compass / GPS
• At least a 1,5 l water bottle
• Cell phone with spare battery
• First aid kit
The trail starts at Tweede Tol (safe parking is
available) and ascends steadily into
Wolwekloof for the first 4 km. You hike in a
southerly direction to Eerste Tol and the
Bainskloof Corner Lodge (2 km south of Eerste
Tol).The route offers fantastic views over the
Berg River Valley,Table Mountain, Simonsberg,
the Franschhoek Mountains in the south, the
Voëlvlei Dam, and the Riebeeck Valley to the
north. Enough water should be carried,as there
is no running water in summer. It is also
advisable to begin early to avoid the midday
heat. Hikers need to arrange their own
overnight accommodation at Bainskloof
Corner Lodge Tel:021 864 1159.
Day 2: 7.5km, 5 hours.
The next day hikers have 3 routes to choose
from for the hike back toTweedeTol:
1 You can return along the route you walked
the day before;
2 You can walk back along the Bainskloof Pass
for a cultural historical perspective;
3 You can go back on the Rockhopper Trail
which is along the riverbed of theWitte River.
Follow the river downstream to Tweede Tol.
This can only be done in summer.
CapeNature manages large areas in the Western Cape, and encourages hikers to enjoy their wild
beauty. Hiking is a wonderful opportunity to explore naturalareas, but could end in tragedy if these
guidelines are not followed.
• Whistle
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Warm jacket
Alcohol is not permitted because it may impair
judgement and cause dehydration.
In the event of an emergency or accident :
• Keep the group together.
• Keep moving if possible.
• If unable to continue due to injury or collapse,or if
weather conditions become too severe, seek
shelter.
• Stay on or close to the path to be visible to a
rescue party.Do not stray from a given route.
• In case of emergency notify the reserve office or
phone 10177.
• If possible,send two experienced group members
to report the accident. Don't abandon the
casualty.
• Give the rescue team full name,age of the casualty;
the type of injury;the location of the accident.
Being lost
• Never descend via unknown terrain. Loose
stones and hidden cliffs can be deadly.
• Sunlight and weather permitting, retrace your
steps until reaching a known route. Otherwise,
stay where you are until rescued.
• Use bright items to reveal your position to search
teams.Blow a whistle to attract attention.
Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature)
Wet, wind and cold can cause hypothermia.
Symptoms include stumbling, uncontrolled shivering,
slurred speech, loss of memory and drowsiness. Stay
dry and warm and seek shelter while you still have
energy,but try to stay near the path.
Hyperthermia (heat exhaustion)
Hot weather, insufficient liquid and exhaustion can
cause hyperthermia or heat exhaustion. Symptoms
can include exhaustion, stumbling, dizziness,
headaches and impaired vision.
The following points can help to avoid hyperthermia:
• Hike in the cool of morning and later afternoon.
• Rest in the shade during midday.
• Drink enough water.
Fires can be deadly!
• Stay calm and think in practical terms. Keep your
group together, keep water bottles filled and, if
possible, wet your equipment and clothes.
Synthetic materials can melt.
• Never try to out-run a fire, especially uphill.Take
note of changes in wind direction.
• Find water, rock slabs or cleared areas and stay
there. Avoid thick bush, kloofs and rocky areas
where you could be trapped.
• Try to keep to jeep tracks,paths or open slopes.
• Wave bright items to attract attention.
• Inform the trail authorities when you reach the
end of your hike.
Conservation
• Do not interfere with plants or animals, or deface
rocks or trees.
• Take all litter home with you.
• Use a small spade to bury toilet matter.
• Fires are strictly prohibited.
• Never discard cigarette butts - they cause veld
fires and are unsightly.
• Stick to paths and walk in single file to avoid soil
erosion.
E
I
M
T
N
S
DIFFICULTY GRADING
720
760
5
600 560 40
640
680
680
to Paarl
0
540
56
0
1125
3
750
2
375
1
0
96000
10
104
500
0
0 1 2 3
DISTANCE (km)
1200
km
Miaspoort
1500
70
1120
1040
960
920
880
660
0
62 500
0
84
Fisherman’s
Cave
0
0
11
60
1000
500
0
0 1 2 3 4
DISTANCE (km)
0
124
1200
0
500 m
1360
ass
of P
sklo
1380
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
60
640 0
72 680
760 0
80
120
12 0
128 40
13
0
13620
0
134 1300
0
his trail is immediately to the right after the
Worcester exit of the tunnel. There is a
fenced parking area for permit holders. From the
parking area follow the trail towards the bridge.
Before the bridge, at the signpost, hikers turn left
towards the tunnel. After an initial steep climb,
the route becomes easier following the Elands
River. It swings away from the river at places,
ascending quite high,and providing views over the
valley. The trail then descends to the Fisherman's
Cave overhang,with its dense vegetation and river
pool.
This trail is very popular in the winter as no
rivers are crossed.
1500
4
0
Huguenot
1080
112
Kop
0
12
00 1160
1000
HEIGHT (m)
T
120
640
680
720
76
8 0
880008
40
920
HEIGHT (m)
92
960 0
HEIGHT (m)
1040
1000
920
0
640 600
680
720
800
880
oo
lsl
Ho
96
Witte River
HEIGHT (m)
iver
al R
Sm
S
0
6 km, 5 hours. There and back.
Mountain
Club route
1875
5
0
N
116
10
10 00
108 40
0
112
0
2250
6
4
12
80
Elandsrivier
2625
7
12
er
7
0
3000
8
P
Riv
88
3375
9
ENERGY USE kCal
N
Huguenot
Tunnel
560
600
960
HEIGHT (m)
E
1
480
10
DIFFICULTY GRADING
Bain
0
r
ive
pR
96
T
HEIGHT (m)
S
Witte River
N
from
Worcester
Elandsrivier
to Worcester
R10
nds
920
T
Witte River
er
E
his trail starts on the old Du Toitskloof Pass
above the eastern entrance of the Huguenot
tunnel.It is a long and initially difficult walk as the
first two hours are a steep climb to the top of the
ridge. An easy walk along the ridge is followed by
another steep ascent to the cross at Huguenot
Kop, erected in February 1945 by Italian Prisoners-of-War who built the pass. At 1 318 m, the
hiker is rewarded with unsurpassed views over
the entire Boland mountain range and Paarl
Valley.
entrance to
Huguenot Tunnel
520
0
De Poort
K
520
to Worcester
r
s R iv
Miaspoort
A
ve
from Worcester
R
Ri
and
Elandsrivier
ss
ns
P
to Cape Town
f Pa
aa
1
D
ej
bridge
R10
Huguenot
Tunnel
T
480
84
M
R303
to Paarl
8 km, 6 hours. There and back.
540
P
to Worcester
El
8
560
Kromrivier
0
64
108
Old Du Toitskloof
Tunnel
520
of P
ass
sklo
280
320
300
900
00
12
Kli
MT
WA
1
H A 200
WE
K
ENERGY USE kCal
klo
Ba
NS
0
30
0
560
rom the fenced parking area (for permit holders) near the exit of the tunnel on the
Worcester side, follow the trail across the bridge
over the Molenaars River. After crossing the river,
the trail heads upstream and then ascends along
the right-hand slopes of the Krom River. Before
reaching the first waterfall, the path passes
through a magnificent patch of indigenous forest.
Extreme caution must be exercised when climbing to the second waterfall with its impressive
pool.This popular trail might be closed during winter and heavy rains.Please inquire first.
520
Deviation Buttress
to Wellington
F
1
920 880840 00 60 720
8 7
680
640
600
to Paarl
Bain
These facilities available only at Tweede Tol:
he trail starts at the Bainskloof Lodge parking
area at De Nek. It winds along the
Bobbejaans River, a tributary of the Witte River.
You cross theWitte River for an easy walk along a
contour above the river.After about 3,5 km, there
is a turn-off to inviting pools in the river.The final
750 m ascends steeply to the three-tiered
waterfall. This trail is very popular in summer,
when the disas and giant proteas are in bloom.
TheWitte River is difficult to cross in the winter.
Kromrivier
7 km, 5 hours. There and back.
0
0 2
4
DISTANCE (km)
Huguenot
Tunnel
bb
6
500
0
A
Drinking water
Swimming pools
0
Du Toitskloof
Tunnel
R101
720
760
800
W
Parking
375
1
104
0
000 96
Ela
K
Look-out points
2
Kromrivier
kloo
E
Wooden
stile
750
s
Toit
680
1125
3
Du
640
1500
4
r
600
I
Bainskloof
Corner
Lodge
Dams
Waterfalls
Bo
B
P
(Eerste Tol)
De Nek
Rivers and streams
Graves
0
5
DISTANCE (km)
520
560
O
Contour intervals 40 m
0
1875
5
0
Bobbejaansrivier
Bobbejaansrivier
Railway line
Towns / built up areas
500
2250
6
Rive
1000
2625
7
0.5 km
T
1500
Roads:
Freeway
National Road
Provincial Road
Secondary Road
0
3000
8
Junction Pool
9 km, 5 hours. There and back.
Bishop’s Arch
km
720
760
800
0
4
8 80
8
Krom
0
0
72
0
4
Pilkington Bridge
P
64
Klein Wellington
Sneeukop
L E G E N D
68
to Wellington
3375
9
600
s
8 Miaspoort
T STETTYNSKLOOF
N
DAM
S
10
520
M
km
loof Pas
7 Elandsrivier
K
0
0
E
Bainsk
O
WEMMERSHOEK
DAM
A
N
M G
H
T
N
O
S
EK
0
0 1 2 3
DISTANCE (km)
76
48
S
6 Kromrivier
r
TN
H
SL
ive
M
S
5 Happy Valley
S
S
R
N
IT
E
Hiking Trails:
Limietberg
Rock Hopper
Murasie
Happy Valley
Bobbejaansrivier
Miaspoort
Kromrivier
Elandsrivier
ake an easy stroll up to the ruins of Hugo's
Rest, a house seemingly surrounded by ill fortune.The trail starts at the Bainskloof Lodge parking area.About 150 m from the parking area you
climb over a fence using a wooden stile. Follow a
jeep track past a memorial to four people who
drowned in 1895 while attempting to save a student from a flooding river. Walk a little further
and take your next turn to the right to find the
haunted ruin where a young woman was murdered in 1978.This route is ideal for large groups,
with some good swimming pools along the way.
T
T
4 Bobbejaansrivier
500
1000
eR
r
M
ive
Murasie
itt
W
(part of the HappyValley trail)
sR
A
Bainskloof Corner Lodge
(Eerste Tol)
an
7 km, 3 hours. There and back.
0
5
DISTANCE (km)
1000
600
0
W
eja
Murasie
K
3 Murasie
TO
r
M
M
0
bb
Happy Valley
E
U
ive
E
Bo
3
500
00
P
D
sR
W
10
1000
I
2 Rock Hopper
40
1 Limietberg Trail
nd
8
7
Ela
Fisherman’s
Cave
1500
10
F
O
Huguenot
Tunnel
HUGUENOT
KOP
Hugo’s Rest
B
LO
EXIT 62/A
Sonstraal Rd
Witte River
tragedy
to Wellington
O
Du Toitskloof Tunnel
SK
IT
TO
oof
U
D
skl
6
Pass
R3
9
84 880 20
0
80
0
Klein
Wellington
Sneeukop
Murasie
0
48
60
520 5
03
0
30
WITTEBERG
R101
R
45
400
44
Rawsonville
Krom River
oit
Du T
Paarl
Hawequas
Forestry
Station
360
0
40
r
Suurvlakte
Hawequas
Bospad
Limietkop
0.5 km
10
ve
5
92
80 840 880 0
0
his route in Bainskloof Pass follows a section
of the Limietberg Trail and ends at Junction
Pool. The trail is limited to 12 people per day. It
starts at the Bainskloof Lodge parking area - from
there follow the gravel road for about 150 m then
climb over a fence using the wooden stile. From
here, hikers follow the jeep track parallel to the
Witte River that has some spine-tingling pools,
with Junction Pool as one of the most popular
pools in the Boland Mountains. Look out for a
furrow, “Die Witrivier se Grip”, that was built by
farmers in 1856 to divert water from the Witte
River to the Berg RiverValley.
Ri
1598
104
0
1000
960
9
GE
Rock Hopper
0
0 2
4
N
DISTANCE (km)
M GH
T
N OE
S
K
T
om
er
Happy Valley
500
A
0
Kr
Riv
4
L
760
720
680
3
Wooden
stile
640
ans
S
ss
oof Pa
ury
esb
00
R303
P
eja
LEY
Y VAL
HAPP
iver
Berg R
lm
Ma
0
60
1 km
Bainskloof Corner
Lodge
Bainskl
bb
Bainskloof Corner Lodge
Wellington
R
45
Bo
Turn back point for Limietberg Trail (Day 2)
(Eerste Tol)
De Nek
pe
Ca wn
To
2
0
HEIGHT (m)
E
RG
BE
IET
600
s
Pa
s
of
to Wolseley
Tweede Tol
ins
L
1152
his moderate to difficult adventure challenges
you to find your own way up or down the
boulder-strewn riverbed of the Witte River.
Leaving the Bainskloof Lodge parking area, you
climb down to the river and follow it downstream
to Tweede Tol.The trail alternates between rock
hopping, walking, and swimming through to the
last pool at Tweede Tol. Noteworthy among the
riverine vegetation are the tall yellowwoods.You
will need a vehicle to get you to the start and
another to collect you at the end.
P
H a p p y Va l l e y
10 km, 6 hours. There and back.
1000
(Eerste Tol)
De Nek
T
LIM
T
I
M
300
5
00 0
10 96
1
of
Tweede Tol
lo
600
to Wolseley
Ro c k H o p p e r
7.5 km, 5 hours. Open end.
Can walk up or downstream.
ek
E
9
w
eR
itt
W
ol
ive
W
r
START of
E Limietberg
K
Trail
LO
O
F
00
LW
LIMIETKOP
I
2
R303
G
00
12
O
B
E
R
15
W
0
132 0
8
12
PIC BLANC
R
44
0
0.5
© CapeNature 1/15