The Klein Karoo never stops to surprise you. The Gamkaberg Nature reserve is one of those surprises. From a distance the Gamkaberg doesn’t look like a proper mountain. It is almost like the Magaliesberg viewed from the north – not impressive at all. But when you get into it, the deep ravines are just wonderful and impressive.
Our section had a hike to the Tierkloof Trail last year October, but I wanted to do this trail and since it only takes 8 hikers, I thought it would be feasible for another round. I had 8 hikers who committed, although 3 of them cancelled just before the hike. The group consisted of Derek Odendaal, Ruth Powel, Werner Frei, Mari Swart (new member) and Amelia Pieterse (prospective member).
Friday night we slept in The Stables, a backpacker type facility at the start of the trail. Saturday was a fine and mild day and we hiked up Tierkloof. This is a deep, spectacular kloof with amazing rock formations and cliffs. The trail was well planned and laid out, while being maintained like very few other CapeNature trails. It was a pleasure to walk it. The variety of flora along the trail is also something noteworthy.
The overnight facilities at Oukraal, on the plateau of the mountain, is basic but very nice. You have a panoramic view over the Langeberg, the Attaquas Mountains and the Outeniquas. The wind was rather cold and we appreciated the fire we could make. We were also entertained by a cute elephant schrew.
The second day’s route takes you via a different route for the first few km, and then you hike down the impressive kloof again, back to the start. I would call this trail the “Mini Leopard Trail”, with Tierkloof just as impressive as any kloof in the Baviaans. This is surely a trail that should be high on any hikers’ list of “must do”. And I am sure that the Gamkaberg Reserve is the best-managed reserve in the CapeNature stable.
Meet Leader ~ Derek Odendaal