We arrived at Grootvadersbosch on Friday late afternoon to set up camp. The evening was spent around a campfire.
The group : Karin van Niekerk(leader), Greg and Cheryl Devine, Janine Smith, Maretha Alant,
Jacolise Joubert, Ed Shuttleworth, Charles Smith, Gillian Forbes, Albert and Saartjie van der Merwe
Along the ridge – looking west towards Barrydale
Saturday morning we hiked up Dwarsberg to the stone shelters at Helderfontein. Ed was keen to also hike the Grootberg peak (an extra 4 hours at least) but realized that one probably needs an extra day in the mountain to do it justice. The hike is longer (17km) than the 14 km according to their map. It is a slow ascend through beautiful fynbos without any stiff climbs. The views from the ridge towards Barrydale and into the valleys approaching the shelters are spectacular. It took us most of the day. The shelters were adequate and we spent the evening in thick mist.
Leaving Helderfontein shelter with Horingberg in the background.
Sunday morning was warm and clear and we had a 15km hike back along an equally spectacular route towards Grootvadersbosch – descending into Saagkuilkloof and crossing the Duiwenhoks river.
By 3 pm we were back at the cars and after a hot shower headed back home. A weekend hike that we all decided to repeat again soon.
Karin van Niekerk – meet leader