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Grey Rhebok Trail
Amersfoort, near Ermelo,
Mpumalanga
The amazing diversity of South Africa is something that we can all be very
proud of. Nestled away on private land all over South Africa can be found
amazing gems of natural beauty and we as hikers often have the privilege of
exploring areas that very few people know about. The Grey Rhebok trail runs
through just such an area.
The main dormitory sleeps 10 people and a further 6 people can be
accommodated in a separate wooden chalet. The stoep of the main chalet can
accommodate a further four people. There are also camping sites available for a
further 12 people.
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The camp is nestled in a valley
between lovely mountains that rise up more than 400m. There is no Escom
power laid on but a generator is available (at additional cost) to
provide lighting. The kitchen area is fully equipped. Warm water is
provided for showers by way of a 'Donkey boiler'. There is a dorm of 10
beds and a hut close bye that will accommodate a further 4 people.
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There are 5 hiking routes (6 if
you include a short 300m route laid out around the camp.
Pink Trail: 2km
This takes you along a Tree Fern lined stream to
the foot of a beautiful waterfall
Yellow Trail 4km
A two hour walk that takes you up the mountain
side past some beautiful Euphorbia's and Tree Ferns to the top of
another beautiful waterfall. |
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Orange Trail 6km
This trail traverses hillsides before entering a
gorge. Boulder hopping follows which can be difficult especially after
rains. It is however worthwhile as you approach the beautiful waterfall
at its end. Retracing your steps down the gorge you then break away to
traverse more hillsides on the way back to camp. |
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Red Trail 7km
This trail takes the hiker up a steep
mountainside to the farm boundary and then descends briefly down a
beautiful kloof with plenty of lovely Tree Ferns. You then climb along
the escarpment edge to peer down on the kloof of the orange trail. A
fairly easy downhill then takes you back to base |
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White Trail 10km.
This trail steadily ascends to the higher reaches
of the farm. You will pass numerous large Tree Ferns on your way to the
top. You then enter an old indigenous forest with small streams and
numerous examples of massive Ouhout Trees. The trail eventually takes
the hiker down and along a stream lined with stunning examples of
massive Tree Ferns before taking you back to base. |
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Experience the beauty of the
indigenous forest and the ancient trees that have been around for
centuries |
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Orchids and Old man's Beard
festoon the trees of the forest on the white trail |
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Small waterfalls, cascades and
pools provide opportunities to cool off in. |
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The trail provides plenty of
opportunities for those who love to capture their hike through the
camera |
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The gorge route provides the many
hikers who love rock scrambling with enjoyment and challenges especially
when wet. |
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Bald Ibis keep a watchful eye
from the craggy mountainside |
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Conclusion
All the trails at Grey Rhebok are
worth doing. Combining the routes into full day walks means that for fit
hikers, they will be able to do all the trails during the course of a
weekend. |
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In a Nutshell'
| Distance from nearest
town |
About 40km from Amersfoort in Mpumalanga. |
| Access road status |
From Amersfoort the road is gravel and is
mostly quite good. Once leaving the provincial
road, the farm road is generally passable until
you reach a designated parking area. Unless you
have a 4x4 or a high clearance bakkie, from here
it is better to make use of the trail owner's
offer of being collected for the last part of
the journey to base camp. For this hikers need
to arrive before 21h00 |
| Trail type |
Base camp trails of varying lengths. |
| Difficulty |
Easy to moderate |
| Marking |
When evaluated the
trails were well marked |
| GPS Co-ordinates |
Entrance gate S27 00 903 E30 14 111 |
| Cell phone reception |
Partial especially on the higher points
of the trail |
| Facilities |
Fully equipped kitchen, ablutions include flush toilets
and hot showers, undercover lapa with firewood,
beds and mattresses. Bring your own lighting.
Generator is onsite but is charged for. |
The Grey Rhebok Hiking Trail is
bookable through
Jacana Marketing
and Reservations
Telephone
0861Jacana (0861 522262)
Direct phone: Port Elizabeth 041 378 1439
Pretoria: 012 803 9109
Direct fax: PE 041 378 2548
Pretoria: 012 803 4144
PE
e-mail
bookings@jacanacollection.co.za
Pretoria e-mail:
rosa@jacanacollection.co.za
Footprint Hiking Club
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