Impact Crater Trail

Vredefort Dome, North West Province

Hiking trails have, in recent years, tended to offer upmarket accommodation in preference to basic camp sites. The impact Crater Trail caters for up to 12 people with cleared camp sites under the cover of trees. The trail is situated in a remote and rugged part of The Vredefort Dome, the impact site of the largest meteorite happening that the world has ever known, an event that took place 2023 million years ago.

Kitchen area Outlook from camp Camping area Warrin and Jan on trail		Base Camp The basecamp lies in a remote area of the Dome nearly an hours drive by 4x4 from the provincial road. If you don't have access to a 4x4, the owners will help with transportation. Rendezvous time will have to be discussed with our the Jacana office. Despite this being a basic trail there are amenities such as toilets and hot showers plus a two plate gas stove and a freezer.

The Trails The area is rugged and consists of numerous kloofs and mountain ridges. The first day of the trail is 12,6 km in length while the second day is about 6km.

		Beautiful panoramic views are to be had of the area. There is  incredible birdlife along with a wide range of indigenous tree species, many of which appear outside their normal areas of distribution due to the special climatic conditions of the area.

Old Gold mining exploration is evident in the area but this is unobtrusive. Take a torch along to explore these tunnels.

		As this is a pristine area, the owner walks with the hikers to show them the way rather than have markings.

Conclusion

The impact Crater Trail is a beautiful addition to South Africa's growing list of hiking trails. It is ideal for those wanting a true get away into nature that is in a World Heritage Site and just over an hour from Johannesburg.

Bookings

Bookings for the Impact Crater Trail should be made through

Jacana Travel 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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