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Rooikrans
Hiking Trail
Near Loskop
Dam, Mpumalanga
Rooikrans Hiking
Trail is the latest trail to be developed by Tiaan and Reta
Strydom of Discovery Trails who have become known among the
hiking community for their trail construction. The trail has
three
circular day routes from a central hut, which makes it ideal for
families and novice hikers.
The farm lies between Witbank and Groblersdal;
which means that it is a relatively close weekend getaway from Gauteng.
The area that the trails go though is really beautiful.
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Facilities
comprise of 3 neat
sleeping areas providing for
22,14 and 6 people;
newly furnished with solid steel bunk beds and good
mattresses with covers. |
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Ablutions supply 3 hot
showers (donkey); 3 basins; and 3 toilets on
each side. A beautiful thatch covered lapa adds
comfort to mealtimes. An open campfire place
extends the social area.
There is no cellphone
reception but in an emergency the farmhouse is close
by and has a land line. Care must be taken on
arrival as the road down to the hut is very steep.
It has however been concreted. |
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The trails
are Witpenskloof 7,6km, Job se kloof 11,4km and
Draadkloof 11,1km.
Witpenskloof and Job se kloof
can be combined to form a rather strenuous trail for
experienced hikers of 15,8km |
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The trails
are well defined and signposted. |
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The rock
formations are magnificent. |
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The views
towards the dam are spectacular. |
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Outstanding is the fact that no
view from the top has any buildings, villages or
roads in sight. In the distance, Loskopdam
can be seen, but no resort of any kind.
The water in the kloofs is crystal clear and
beautifully thirst quenching. |
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The
pools and vegetation in the kloofs are very
special |
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Pretty rock formations, open
grassland areas, beautiful gorges, good climbing,
and amazing red krantzes contribute to nice hiking
variety. |
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The two days start off on the same
route, which initially makes you think
disappointingly; but the second day is absolutely worthwhile
doing and later on much different to day one. |
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Many butterflies were our company,
which is not the case on all trails. If in full
bloom, the many aloes should be something to see. |
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Conclusion
Difficulty of a trail is always a
very personal opinion; I would grade it as easy to moderate; a
good walk in really lovely surroundings and definitely worth
doing.
Many bridges, steps and chain
assistance are the trade marks of Discovery Trails and can be
found on this trail too.
Thank you to Petro Steyn for the
photographs and trail description 'In a Nutshell'
| Distance from nearest
town |
67km from
Bronkhorstspruit and 50km from Witbank |
| Access road status |
Very steep concrete
road leads down to farm |
| Trail type |
Basecamp hike 3
circular routes |
| Difficulty |
Day ((15,8km)
Difficult to strenuous
Day 2(11,1km) Moderate
Witpenskloof route
(7,6km) Moderate
Job se kloof (11,4km)
Moderate |
| Marking |
When evaluated the
trail was well marked |
| GPS Co-ordinates |
Turnoff provincial
gravel road S25 29.981 E29 09.961 Base camp -
S25 30.806 E29
10.181
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| Cell phone reception |
Base camp - No
Intermittent reception
along trail mostly at top of mountains |
| Facilities |
Well maintained |
Bookings
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
booking@jacanacollection.co.za
Pretoria e-mail:
rosa@jacanacollection.co.za
Footprint Hiking Club
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