Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail, Carolina
The Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail is an accredited 2 day circular hiking trail on the Suikerboschfontein farm 20 km north-east of the tiny Highveld town of Carolina, about 2 hours drive from Johannesburg. This hiking trail is known for its spectacular scenic beauty and is considered one of the best ‘weekend break’ hiking trails near the Gauteng Metropoles of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The 2 day trail starts at the Rooikrans Camp (named for the red quartzite rocks that surround it). Day One is about 10km to the overnight camp at Oom Japie’s House – an old holiday house. Day Two is also about 10km, but follows a different route back to the Rooikrans Camp. Both camps feature dramatic settings among rock pillars and interesting boulders, and both have basic facilities and amenities, with bunks and mattresses, braai areas. Each camp also has a swimming pool, which adds and extra touch to the end of a long hot hike through beautiful but rugged terrain with several ascents and descents and plenty of clambering over river boulders in gorges.
The Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail features superb indigenous vegetation, including old growth yellowwood forest, enormous tree ferns, Marloti Aloes and Kiepersol trees.
Other features of the trail include superb views, several kilometres of ‘cliff-top’ hiking on Day One, fascinating rock formations, narrow gorges with tumbling streams, rock pools and waterfalls. There are many great ‘swimming holes’ and lunch picnic spots in the gorges, and much of the trail is shaded by cliffs and gorge vegetation – making it an ideal trail for hot summer weekends.
There are also some archaeological sites and Bushmen paintings.
There are ropes and ladders in some places to assist with ascents and descents and the most slippery boulder areas in the gorges. The trail is moderately difficult and not suited to anyone suffering from vertigo.
The trail an accommodate groups of up to 21 people, and more if the starting points are ‘swopped’, with one group starting at Oom Japies.
A number of 1 day trails have also been marked out.
For more trail info, directions and to book call 0861 522262 or email
| More on the quaint town of Carolina | More on the Grass and Wetlands area |
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