Boland Adventures

A coddiwomple is to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination. Embark on a rewarding 12km hike, starting at Lower Kloof Nek, with a total elevation gain of 450m. This hike takes you around the iconic Lions Head, offering breathtaking views of Cape Town, Fresnaye, Bantry Bay, Clifton and the Atlantic Ocean.
Swimming and soaking up the sun at Clifton's stunning 4 white sand beaches and Glen Beach, will add a nice summer flavour to this hike, so please bring along a swimming costume. Furthermore, hikers can expect to explore Maiden's Cove, Glen Beach and enjoy cold beverages at The Lawns at The Roundhouse Restaurant, before completing this Lions Head round trip.

Basic agenda.
Starting at the Lower Kloof Nek carpark, we follow a rocky footpath all along Signal Hill Drive towards a Kramat. Further on with Lions Head Path brings us to a bench just above The Rock. This is a stunning spot to have our first coffee break while enjoying the magnificent views and the stunning granite rock formations. After the Avenue Saint Leon path , we link up with Kloof Road until Biskop Steps is reached, giving this event its name.
We head down at Biskop steps, reaching Victoria Road and continue further to Clifton's Second Beach, Third Beach and Forth Beach. This is the perfect spot for swimming and basking in the sun or just having lunch. Next comes Maiden's Cove and Glen Beach. High tide will bring an extra layer of excitement to our journey towards Glen Beach when the waves will be crashing against the rocks and flooding the usual pathways. With each step, you feel the rush of adrenaline as you conquer the tidal obstacle course.
Finally we enter The Glen where we will find The Lawns at the Roundhouse restaurant, a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink. This place has a remarkable history! Read more about it on Google.
After a relaxing break, we make our way back to the car park at Lower Kloof Nek through The Glen, feeling accomplished and refreshed after a day of hiking and beach time.

Hike Details:
- Distance: 12km
- Elevation gain: 450m
- Grade 2B hike
- Duration: approximately 5-6 hours, depending on length of rest breaks.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Features: Lions Head roundtrip, The Rock, Clifton Beaches, Maidens Cove, Glen Beach, The Roundhouse restaurant, The Glen.
- Essentials: Comfortable hiking shoes, hat, water, snacks, sun protection, swimming costume, towel.

Fee to join hike: R40. Cash on the day or EFT on the day:
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name, surname and name of hike.
Bring along: Hat, food, coffee/tea/cooldrink/2 lt water, First Aid kit, Rehidrate, swimming costume.
Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accept our Indemnity as below.
Please inform Marius or Elaine of any medical conditions before the hike.
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMINITY AGREEMENT
This agreement includes a release of liability and waiver legal rights and deprives you of the right to sue Boland Adventures, and other parties.

Tweede Tol is part of the Limietberg Nature Reserve near Wellington in the Western Cape. It has a vast 102 000 ha of mountains, wildlife and fynbos. The site is located at the original tollgate of the beautiful Bainskloof Pass, built in 1853, What makes it so popular is the incredible scenery and the exclusive use of the Wolwekloof River swimming holes, and Limietberg's hiking trails.
There are 6 places available to join a group of 20 adventurous Bolanders to explore this World Heritage site stacked with beautiful fynbos vegetation, waterfalls, swimming holes, potholes, rocky corridors, labyrinths and rock formations.

Tweede Tol campsite has 20 standard campsites, each with its own braai area. Hot and cold water ablutions are available as well as a jungle gym for children. Campsite arrival time is between 2pm and 6pm (8pm on Fridays) and departure time is 10am. Overnight camping rates exclude conservation fees and campers have exclusive use of the Wolwekloof River swimming holes. On departure at 10am, campers may pay the conservation day fee and move to the picnic area.

Environment and safety:
• There is no cell phone reception.
• Firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited.
• No pets are allowed.
• Gas and wood braais are allowed but only at the designated points and fires must be completely extinguished on departure.
• To save the campsite's grass, please use ground sheet nets which allow the grass to breathe.
• Stay on trail paths, as shortcuts cause trampling and erosion.
• Take care not to litter, damage, disturb or remove vegetation or wildlife. Please do not collect firewood.
• Respect the tranquillity of nature and bring no generators, loud instruments or music equipment.
• Alcohol and drug abuse or misconduct of any form is prohibited.
• Nude tanning or swimming is not acceptable.
• Emergencies: 082 494 9707 (weekends)

Basic agenda:
Friday 6 December 2024:

• We will be arriving at Tweede Tol from 14:00 to set up camp. Normally by 18:00 in the evening, it's time to get the camp fires going, creating a joyful atmosphere in the camp on the banks of the cascading Wolwekloof river.

Saturday 7 December 2024:

• From 08:00 we set off to hike the Limietberg trail. This circular trail starts at the Tweede Tol campsite and is less than 6 km long. Although the trail is very short, enough time will be spent at the waterfalls and swimming holes of the Wolwekloof river. The first 2 km of this trail ascends 550 meters over rocky terrain. Hikers will be treated with rocky corridors, labyrinths and beautiful views until Wolwekloof River is reached. From here we follow the river downstream to the camp by swimming, hiking and bum sliding. Sure fun! Remember to bring your bathing costume.
• Back at the camp, everyone finds their own happy space until it's time to get the camp fires going at 18:00 for an enjoyable sociable braai.

Sunday 8 December 2024:

• A short inspirational message will be given at 08:00 before we pack up camp.
• We park the cars at the day visitors car park and start hiking from there all along Bains Kloof Road to Secret Waterfall. Secret Waterfall can be reached by the Rock Hopper trail all along the Witte River as well, but it will be too time consuming. The out and back trail to Secret Waterfall along Bains Kloof Road is just more than 5 km long. Sturdy boots and surefootedness will be required to cross the Witte River to reach the breathtaking Secret Waterfall, but it is all worth the effort!
• Cafe La Vita is a lovely restaurant just before Wellington where we may have a last super before returning home.

Cost:
The total cost per person per night is R190. The total amount of R380 per person excludes catering, R80 conservation fees and traveling costs. Wildcard holders do not have to pay conservation fees.

All persons entering this conservation area and using its facilities, do so entirely at their own risk. The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board and/or its employees and/or agents and/or its successors in title shall not be liable for any damage, loss, theft, injury, accident or death suffered by any person, however caused.

The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness features extraordinary rock formations and popular hiking routes and lies about 120km north of Cape Town.
Place for 10 people are available to hike with our group of 14 people in the Groot Wilderness Area to Die Hel Waterfall.
This conservation area is particularly important for the conservation of mountain fynbos and wildlife. The landscape here is rugged and mountainous, with altitudes of 1000 to 2077m above sea-level. The special feature of this area is the weathering of Table Mountain sandstone that has created exceptional rock formations. Various rock paintings indicate that San and Khoi people once inhabited this region.
The weather at Groot Winterhoek is unpredictable and hikers should always be prepared for sudden cold and mist.
Klipspringers, grey rhebok and grysbok are common and easy to spot. Leopard, caracal, wild cat, mongoose, genet and other predators also occur, but are seldom seen. Snakes are scarce due to the high altitudes and cold winters, although sand snakes and boomslang are occasionally seen.
Various examples of rock art, believed to be between 300 and 6 000 years old, are found in the area. The paintings illustrate the religious and social life of the San people, who have inhabited southern Africa for more than 100 000 years.

Location:
Groot Winterhoek Office/reception.

Accommodation:
Groot Winterhoek has four basic hiker huts at De Tronk which are equipped with bunk beds and mattresses only. No fireplaces are provided. Hikers should prepare their own food by using small gas stoves that they carry in their backpacks. These huts are self-sustainable because they are difficult to reach for regular cleaning. Visitors need to clean huts before leaving. This will ensure that the next group of visitors will also have a pleasant stay. Ribbok is the only hut with a cold shower and flush toilet, while the other huts have outside toilets. Rainwater is captured from the roof of the huts and stored in tanks. The availability of this water is not guaranteed. Hikers are advised to boil water before drinking. Located at the edge of the wilderness area, these huts can only be reached via a 4 hour hike.

Basic agenda:
Saturday 14 December 2024:

• Meet 06:00 at Engen 1 Stop Winelands North and follow the R44 to Wellington, Hermon, Gouda and Porterville.
• Take the Dasklip turnoff and ascend Dasklip Pass to reach Groot Winterhoek Office / Reception where we have to report.
• Park cars at Groot Winterhoek Parking safely and start with the 13 km backpack to the basic overnight hikers huts.

The route from the parking area to De Tronk leads along the Kliphuis River to the low-water bridge. It then follows the jeep track to De Tronk.
Plenty of water is available on this stretch and there are lots of swimming pools and beautiful patches of ericas along the way. In winter, the Groot Kliphuis River is difficult and dangerous to cross.

Sunday 15 December 2024:

• Leave the huts at 10:00 to hike 3.5 km to Die Hel Waterfall. Leave your backpack at the huts and bring only a daypack with food and bathing clothes or perhaps a flotation device like a "Li-lo."
• Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience are required to reach this breathtaking waterfall.
• We will spend plenty of time at this waterfall exploring the caves and area before it's time to head back to the huts using the same route.
• Overnight at the same huts as the night before.

Monday 16 December 2024:

• Start hiking back towards Groot Winterhoek parking area at 08:00.
• We will follow the same trail all along the Groot Kliphuis river back to the carpark, spending enough time enjoying and relaxing at the pools.
• Koppikofi at Porterville, serves lovely Tramezzinis and coffee for those that would like to end this weekend adventure in a proper way.

Wilderness etiquette:

• The trails do not have route markers, but small cairns indicate directions.
• Firearms and pets are not allowed.
• Permits must be carried at all times.
• Hikers are not compelled to stay on the trails and may explore the rock formations and caves that are off the beaten track.

Fee to join hike:
The total cost is R560 per person or R280 per person per night for 2 nights.
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name, surname and name of hike.

Bring along: Backpack gear, trekking poles, warm jacket, food for 3 days, sunglasses, coffee/tea/cooldrink/2 lt water, First Aid kit, Rehydrate, gas stove, fire torches, headlamps.

Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accepted our Indemnity as below.
Please inform Marius or Elaine of any medical conditions before the hike.
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMINITY AGREEMENT
This agreement includes a release of liability and waiver legal rights and deprives you of the right to sue Boland Adventures, and other parties.

Join us for an exhilarating 12 km circular hike at Betty's Bay where the majestic Kogelberg Mountains meet the stunning coastline. Betty's Bay is a small holiday town situated on the Overberg coast of South Africa's Western Cape province. It is located 100 km from Cape Town beneath the Kogelberg Mountains on the scenic Clarence Drive between Pringle Bay and Kleinmond.

This grade 2A circular hike, following coastal and mountain trails, is about 12 km long with an accumulated elevation of 160 meters and requires moderate fitness. A 4km beach walk will provide an opportunity to have a swim at Betty's Bay Main Beach. Please remember to bring your swimsuit.

Basic agenda:
From On the Edge Restaurant's parking bay, we follow the coastline eastwards to Betty's Bay Main Beach and Dawidskraal River. Our first break is at the beautiful Dawids Kraal Picnic site under Milkwood trees along the river that has the same name. After this break, we continue all along the riverbank towards Disakloof Youth Camp and join up with a contour path below Voorberg called Rod's Trail. This path leads to a waterfall that might be dry by this time of the year and continues further to a ruin called Marie Voghts Rondawel. At the end of Rod's trail, we cross Clarence Drive to enter the residential area of Betty's Bay. From Disa Road we take a shortcut back to Betty's Bay West and follow the coastline back to the carpark.

After the hike, we will surely have refreshments at On the Edge Restaurant. Visiting the Stony Point Nature Reserve a short distance from this restaurant is definitely worthwhile. A small entrance fee is applicable at Stony Point Nature Reserve. Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to a unique colony of African Penguins. Stony Point offers the public the chance to see African Penguins up close, via the boardwalk through the colony, which allows the public to observe the penguins go about their daily activities in their natural habitat, without disturbing or disrupting them.

Fee to join hike:
Facilitation fee R40. Cash on the day or EFT on the day:
Name of Acc: Boland Adventures
Capitec Savings account nr: 173 138 2780
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your name, surname and name of hike
If you cannot attend an event after you signed up for it, please click on the 3 dots next to your name, and move yourself to the NOT GOING list. This provides people on the waiting list the opportunity to join the event.
Bring along: Hat, food/snacks, coffee/tea/cooldrink/1 lt water, Rehydrate, bathing costume.
Rain cancels.
Indemnity: When attending this hike you indicate that you have read and accepted our Indemnity as below.
Please inform Marius or Elaine of any medical conditions before the hike.
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMINITY AGREEMENT
This agreement includes a release of liability and waiver legal rights and deprives you of the right to sue Boland Adventures, and other parties.