Boosmansbos wilderness area is well known for its flora and hiking and is only 3 hours from Sedgefield. I did this trail a few months earlier this year in the rain and decided at short notice to put it on for another go. We filled the 11 spots quickly. Ed and Mimi Shuttleworth, Lauren and James Norval, Cheryl and Greg Divine, Sanet van Meersbergen, Marie Swart, Malina Jost and Gillian Forbes.
Cape Nature has improved the facilities at the campsite with a pool and really top-class ablutions and options to glamp or stay in chalets. There are also mtb trails and shorter walks. We needed two campsites as each site can take 6 people. Being close to George one can leave early Saturday morning and start the hike and still make the hut by 5pm. We opted to camp on Friday evening, sleep at the hut on Saturday and return on Sunday.
After pitching tents all enjoyed a braai and the doctor’s medicinal chocolate cake. We awoke the next day to a wet start with some low clouds. Waving goodbye to Corinne du Plessis, our camp commandant,we proceeded to hike at around 8am. Under the imposing Grootberg (1637m) we passed the forest of giant redwoods in the valley below the campsite (planted in 1907).
The trail is well marked and meanders gradually from 450m elevation in a westerly direction. At around 6km it turns northeast and one is surprised to have gained 500m elevation as it is a steady gain. There was water available in small streams coming off the mountain as it had rained a little the night before. The flora was abundant and much admired by all.
At around 12 km we stopped for lunch at the top with a view of Barrydale below to the North-west. There are lovely rock formations on this section on the right as one finishes the last 4 km to the Helderfontein huts at 1146m. Only one hut is functional with a cement floor, a door that works and a window that opens.
There is a table inside and outside this hut. The second hut has been condemned and there is a sign prohibiting hikers in there. There was space to pitch a tent or two around the hut and plenty of water in a stream a few meters below. Six hikers slept inside the hut comfortably although not without plenty of noise emanating from their lodge the next morning.
On Sunday morning we had a fairly early start with a warmer and clear day. Most of the second day is
downhill, eventually getting to the Duiwenhoks river after 10km. We stopped for lunch and a swim before ascending steeply out of the ravine to the viewing deck. From there it is a short 4km to the campsite.
In summary this is a good weekend hike for the average hiker. There are stunning mountain views, rivers, fynbos and a well-marked trail. There was some thought to do it again but spend an extra night at the hut to attempt a summit of Grootberg.
Meet Leader ~ Andre du Plessis