Groot Winterhoek backpack to mountain huts with a visit to "Die Hel"

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.