View into gorge

This is a conservancy area and is private property, so a permit is required and the code for the gate and directions will be given with the issue of a permit to approved conservation orientated groups/clubs.

Park the car, take a quick pit stop, leave the parking area through the gate in the far corner and follow a well marked path through pleasant bush consisting of buddleja and old Rhus, with the characteristic trios of lance like leaves, and thorny acacia.

This leads to the dirt road with magnificent views of the mountain range, continue for about 300 m before following the JHC signs back into the quietness of the bush and the wonderful sounds of nature.

Walk along a slightly rising sandy path, through the remains of a silver poplar forest as one enters mixed woodland.  Tread softly and listen for arrow marked babblers and take note of the saphrolitic fungi growing on fallen trees. 

The woodland path continues for about 450m becoming increasingly steeper and stonier. Examine the texture of 2,7 billion year old sandstone boulders; rough, medium grained to fine grained and smooth, sometimes banded.

Take a rest where the path breaks sharply westwards at a grove containing three ancient Kiepersols.  This Cussonica, or cabbage tree family, has a characteristic pale brown to grey corky bark, an ideal habitat for spiders and many other insect species.  

As one gathers ones breath, listen for the sharp squeak and strong flapping flight of the chin spotted batise.  Take heart, as you have now completed half of the climb.

Stop frequently over the next 200m as one continues the climb.  Look southwards and take in the panorama of patchwork fields and scattered homesteads bordered to the south by rolling hills.  Gaze westwards along the ragged steep cliff edge and north into its face. 

To the east, a scarp slope stands sharp and proud with a carpet of jumbled tales stretching from its base to the forest below.  Above its crest, a gently inclined dip slope strewn with boulders, falls away to the north.  Listen for the squawky chatter of francolins in the grass and the twittering of sun birds in the proteas.

The final break in the slope which signals the end of the steep climb, occurs as the path again turns northwards and is marked by a grove of boekenhout trees.  One can see many of these trees in the sour veldt of this area but this group gives one an opportunity to reach out from the path and feel the deeply grooved bark and thin tough leaves.  Watch them shimmer in the breeze and compare how alike they are to their cousins, the willows. 

Onward for a further 200m and then take a well earned rest at a small group of flat, lichen stained sandstone boulders that just invite one to sit on them.  Finally, the crest of the slope has been reached and one can enjoy the view whilst catching one’s breath.  Northwards and make your way up the grassy slope between the stunted stamvrugs.

The easiest route is to remain on the beaten track which descends gradually to a fence. Take a moment to admire the stunted stamvrugs on the northern slope. Pick your way carefully as the path is boulder strewn in places.  Stop occasionally to look ahead through the nek and pick out the remains of hundred year old fortifications.  After a short walk along a concrete roadway, one reaches the ruins so take time to feel the hosts of soldiers once stationed there, now long dead.

Look ahead to the west, and appreciate the rolling hills with grassy plains and from this point a myriad of trails can be taken.

If you are new to the area, keep to the well marked path, hiking through different types of long grasses gently swaying in the breeze. If one is lucky, baboons can be seen perched on the rocky outcrop and they might bark in disapprovement at one ‘trespassing’ on their territory. Klipspringers and dassies can often be spotted darting in and out of the rocks.

Near Piranha Pools

Eventually the path descends and becomes very stony as the Piranha Pools come into sight, which is a very good lunch spot. The crystal clear rock pool is an invitation to cool off or soak those weary feet, or one can relax in the shade of the trees and doze off.

Castle Gorge Waterfall

After a relaxing lunch, one can hike to the magnificent waterfall, about 10 minutes along a path, and is well worth the effort. The path takes one through dried ferns and along next to a vlei area, a small jump over a riverlet, up through a rocky outpost where lots of hairy dassies look in amazement at one hiking in the midday sun. Clamber down over a few rocks and a beautiful view of the waterfall can be enjoyed. Water cascades down into 3 rock pools before flowing down stream.

The return journey is in reverse but watch your footing on the steep down slope back to the car park.

The hike takes between 5 and 6 hours with stops and a good, relaxing hour for lunch.

Permits are required for hikes at Castle Gorge. The relevant code for the gate will be issued with the permit.

Detailed directions to Castle Gorge will be given on request.

Contact: The club administrator of the Johannesburg Hiking Club

Tel:         +27 (0)87 940 1903 (08h30-10h30)

Fax no.: +27 (0)86 685 5746

email:     jhc@mweb.co.za