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Oorlogskloof
Nature Reserve
Rock Pigeon
Hiking Trail, Rameron Pigeon Hiking Trail
Leopard Trap
Day Hike, Rietvlei Day Hike
Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
is situated 16km outside Nieuwoudtville and about 50km from
Vanrhynsdorp in the Northern Cape Province. The reserve comprises of
4776 hectares of mountains which have been dissected by deep river
gorges through which the Oorlogskloof River flows. The area has a
rich and varied plant life being situated on the transition/ecotone
area of the Fynbos and Karoo Biomes. There are two major hiking
trails that have been laid out in the reserve plus two day walks.
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Maps to
Oorlogskloof |
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Rock Pigeon
Trail 4-5 Days, 52.2km
The trail starts
Groot Tuin. There is a overnight shelter available for
hikers at Groot Tuin. The first day of the trail to
Brakwater is 4km and can be accomplished in 2-3 hours.
This day can be combined with day two but the rugged
terrain on the second day makes this a very strenuous
option. The second day (8,5km) takes
6-7 hours to accomplish. Soon after the beginning of the
day's walk the trail ascends to the plateau with the
help of a rope and a ladder. After a while the trail
once again descends to the river and follows this for
some distance through riverine thicket until once again
climbing towards Driefontein overnight camp. |
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Along the
route the hiker will find distance plaques to
indicate their progress.
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The
third day of the trail, from Driefontein to Doltuin
is 12km and takes 6-8 Hours to walk. The day starts
off with a steep climb down to the Oorlogs River.
Once the river is crossed a steep ascent on the
opposite bank awaits the hiker. There is a rock
chimney that is used to gain access to the top with
the help of ropes. The trail then takes the hiker
through impressive stands of Protea and along the
cliffs for most of the rest of the days walk. |
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Day four of the trail is
17km long and should take the hiker 6-8 hours to
accomplish, it takes the hiker from Doltuin to
Pramkoppie. This is an interesting walk as
there is plenty of variety to see. The trail visits
its highest point near Arrie se Punt, crawling
through a narrow passage and passing some
spectacular rock formations. The area around the
camp site at Pramkoppie is a haven for several bird
species and is tucked away under wild olive trees.
During the dry periods water is needs to be
collected from the river below the camp.
The final
day of the trail starts off with a visit to some
rock paintings. Be sure to follow the trail markers
from this point and not the jeep track. The trail
returns to the plateau edge. There is a short detour
of 250m to a viewpoint with a spectacular panoramic
view over towards the town of Vanrhyns Pass. The
trail continues along the escarpment edge and then along the plateau until it reaches a
chimney and ladders, with some large rocks that need
to be negotiated. Eventually the hiker reaches the
track that was followed on the first day and then a
short distance later the end of the trail. |
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Rameron Pigeon Trail 4-7 Days, 52.4km |
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The route is
the same irrespective of the number of days taken.
By combining days one can make the duration shorter
but then the trail becomes more strenuous as the
days become longer. There are designated camp sites
on route at Kareebos, Kameel se Gat,
Suikerbosfontein, Swartkliphuis, Bo-Kloof,
Olienhoutbos and Groot Tuin (the starting point).
The first part of the trail leads to Kareebos (5,9km
-2-3 hours). Much of the time is spent in indigenous
forest on the banks of the Oorlogskloof River. From
Kareebos the trail leads to Kameel se Gat (7,9km-
6-7 hours). The first 2,8km of the day continues
along the banks of the river until a waterhole is
reached. From here the trail joins the second day of
the Rock Pigeon route until you reach the turn off
to Kameel se Gat. The trail then leads past several
large stone structures that date back to the early
days of the pioneer farmers. |
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From Kameel
se Gat the trail continues on to the next camp at
Suikerbosfontein (4,6km - 2-3 hours). Much of this
day is the same as the third day of the Rock Pigeon
trail. Interesting rock paintings can be found along
this section of the trail.
The
next section of the trail leads from
Suikerbosfontein to Swartkliphuis (6,3km- 4-5
hours). The first part of the day passes some caves
and old graves of the early inhabitants of the area.
The trail then ascends gradually to Draaikraal
spring, a good place to replenish water supplies.
Waterholes are common along this stretch of the
trail. The trail ascends gradually to the plateau
from which spectacular views are to be seen. |
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From
Swartkliphuis the trail continues to Bo-kloof (8,1km
- 3-4 hours). The route follows the sheer cliffs of
the Doltuin valley until a descent is made by way of
a wooden ladder found below loose rocks. The route
then leads to Gheling se Tenk, past a small
waterfall to two caves where rock paintings can be
found. At the stream crossing, the last water of
this section of the trail can be collected. On route
to Bo-kloof the path leads through massive boulders
and more rock paintings can be found to the right. |
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From
Bo-kloof the trail continues to Olienhoutbos
(7,3km - 3-4 hours). The first part of the route
is fairly easy and follows the course of the
river. In the direction of Kouekloof, two
overhanging rocks with rock paintings are
passed. The route gradually descends past a
viewpoint overlooking the De Vondeling Valley.
The trail passes a seasonal stream and follows
the mountain edge. Various caves and impressive
rock formations with rock paintings are passed.
The route 'ends' at a rock with a hole in it,
through which you climb with the help of a
ladder. Olienhoutbos is nearby. Water can be
obtained from the river. |
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The
final part of the trail takes the hiker from
Olienhoutbos back to Groot Tuin (12km - 6-7
hours). The route follows the riverbed past
endemic candelabra flower (Brunsvigia
josphinae), until the trail reaches a jeep
track where you turn left. The track is followed
until the turnoff to Groot Tuin. From here the
trail follows the same route as that of day 5 of
the Rock Pigeon route until it reaches
Knersvlakte lookout point. The route follows the
edge of the mountain to a triangular sign no46
and then turns east to a seasonal stream. The
route descends over big boulders to the upper
reaches of the Saaikloof. The trail ascends to
the top of the plateau again. After a walk of
15mins, the junction leading to the last 1,3km
walk to the starting point, is reached. |
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The
overnight shelter at Groot Tuin is very basic,
but provides room to sort out your backpack
before the hike begins. |
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Day walks
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In
addition to the two longer routes there are two
single day trails in the reserve.
The Leopard Trap Day Hike 15,5km-
6-9 hrs
This
follows a route from Groot Tuin past the leopard
cage to the Knersvlakte viewing site.
Rietvlei Day Hike 17,9km 7-10 hrs
This is
a route for those who would like to swim in the
Oorlogskloof River and also takes in the
Knersvlakte viewing site.
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Although the area is arid flowers abound and
if one has room in ones backpack a field
guide would be a useful addition. A camera
is a must and a pair of binoculars may also
come in useful. |
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Map of Trails
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Pertinent Information
Rainfall
The average
annual rainfall is 426mm. During December to April, the
water is restricted to pools. During the summer period,
hikers must carry at least two litres of water per
person.
Accommodation
At each campsite
along the trails are 5 tents that accommodate 3 people
each. Group size is normally 15 but special arrangements
can be made for larger groups. At the start of the
trails is a hut with a gravel floor, candle lights,
stretchers and a long drop toilet and a lapa with picnic
tables and chairs.
General
Fires may only
be lit at Groot Tuin (provide own firewood). Hikers must
be fit as the terrain is rugged and inhospitable. Be
prepared for extremes of weather.
Conclusion
The hiking
trails at Oorlogskloof are for experienced and fit
hikers. A comprehensive first aid kit is essential.
These are great trails and should form part of any
hiking group or clubs calendar.

Trail a member of and
accredited by The Southern Africa Hiking Trail Owners
Association
Bookings
Bookings should
be made through
Manager:
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Telephone
027-2181159
oorlogskloof@gmail.com
Footprint Hiking Club
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