Rating the Trails with my Jimny and boys: Hennops River trail
Hennops River
Turn-off the R511: S25 47.878 E27 59.511
Parking area: S25 47.886 e27 59.191
(From Fourways take the R511 driving in a northerly direction towards Hartbeespoort and Brits. The trail is 40 km from Johannesburg, 25 km from Pretoria and 16 km from hartbeespoort)
Some 40km from Johannesburg and 2.5 km from Tshwane / Pretoria and the stunning braai, picnic and swimming pool area situated under large old trees next to the river is very tranquil especially after a hike.
Hennops has an overnight hikers' hut which sleeps up to 18 people for those wanting to make a weekend of it.
There are 3 trails: The krokodilberg Day Trail (Yellow) which is 11.3 km long and will take you 4-5 hours. Difficulty is average to difficult.
The Zebra Day Trail (Green) which is 6.1 km long will take you about 2 hours and difficulty is easy to average.
The Dassie Route which is 2.5km long and will take around 1-2 hours. Difficulty is easy to average. This route offers parents the opportunity to bring the little ones along and introduce them to the adventure of hiking. It follows the same route as the Krokodilberg in the beginning then returns to no 6 (Pruimpie se gat) to the "cable-chair on the escape route.
Hennops Mountain Bike Trail: this is made of mostly of jeep tracks of 16 km. It will take you 1-2 hours to complete this track and difficulty is average to not too technical but its suitable for the adventurous rider.
Hennops Offroad Trail: this is a 9 km trail that will take you 2-4 hours. They don't list the difficulty, not sure if this is a good or bad thing!! the GPS co-ordinates: S25 47.490 E27 58.912. This trails has been designed to enable any four wheel driver to experience the true pleasure of 4x wheel driving in conditions that will suit the first time driver to the experienced driver.
Hennops trails are very popular and diverse offering a unique blend of mountain and spectacular river scenery with a rich and diverse flora and fauna, not to mention some rather interesting caves!!
When you arrive the parking area is not far from the owners house and we found a young lady selling coffee and snacks early in the morning. A guard is normally on duty at weekends to collect your permit.
I love the Krokodilberg Trail it is moderately difficult and there is no drinking water available along the route so please take at least 2 litres of water with you. During the summer months being out along the trails gets really hot, so lots of sunscreen and hats are a must. The heat also can increase the difficulty of the 11.3km trail.
The Zebra trail on the other hand is relatively easy and we always come across trail runners along this route. A variety of game can be viewed on this trail such as zebra, gnu, impala, blesbok, kudu and zonkie. You must wear good strong and sturdy footwear, obviously proper hiking boots would be first prize as the paths are really rugged and rock strewn and stripping is common.
The dolomitic surrounds proved many interesting and unusual rock formations and scattered everywhere and if Geology is an interest you will be in paradise!
We found out some rather interesting history about the area. The farm Skurweberg on which the trails are situated has been in the same family for several generations. It is made up of 1 000 ha and the region has many relics along the route which includes many ancient rock kraals the origins and dates are unknown for now but they are believed to be linked to the Mzilikaze era . There is evidence of recent dolomite mining which can be seen towards the far end of the Krokodilberg trail
The dolomite rock is the basement of the area and on our Krokodilberg trail we came across an old lime kiln from when the area was mined commercially. The weathering of the exposed dolomite has produced some really spectacular rock formations, especially around the anglo-Boer War hospital area.
There are some 10 mammal species found on the farm which include leopard, blesbok, kudu and blue wildebeest. there are many birds in fact 150 species of birds are found here. There are tons of difference types of indigenous plants and wildflowers.
There are mountain bike trails. Next to the river and under the shade of the beautiful old tress is the picnic area with a swimming pool, very clean toilets and braai facilities. Hikers who have paid to walk the trails do not have to pay for the use of these facilities. there is also a guesthouse available for those who require a degree of luxury.
The Krokodilberg Day Trail:
Point 1: You will start from the Hadeda Camp, situated at the farmhouse. This is the Base Camp for overnight accommodation and the starting point for day hikers. Once you have parked your car under the big trees you will walk from the parking area. Look our for the signs which indicate the start of the Krokodilberg trail (the guide is very helpful and will point you in the right direction). Walk through the open gate in the electrified fence and then down the path to the river bank.
This is also your end point where you will cross the river from the opposite side on a cable seat. Its heaps of fun and you are allowed to bring your dogs along the trails too.
As you come down the pathway turn to your left and walk along the river under the shade of large poplar trees. After a while the trail reaches a low-water bridge crossing the river to the picnic site. This is Point 2: the Loerie Camp / Hennops Picnic Spot. It has two swimming pools and braai facilities.
Beautful dolomite rock formations abound!
The trial then takes you down once more toward the river before crossing it my means of a suspension bridge.
After crossing the bridge you then climb away from the river quiet steeply and walk through open grassland. there is now a steacy ascent into a more mountaineous arad of the farm. views of the Pelindaba atomic energy site now come into view and will reamin with you from most of the remaineder of the trail.
Once you reach the top of this area you will move out from the shaded tree area and out onto the open grasslands for some time and the Pelandaba Atomic plant comes into view in the far distance
Point 6: Pruimpie se Gat en Ontsnaproete / Escape Route: 2.17 km
it is not a huge cave about 8mx4m and where I am standing in the above black and white photo you can clearly see where then tunnel has been filled up so this is as far as you can go.
it was not difficult to climb in or climb out, luckily I had brought a headlamp with.
You then turn left and head up wards again towards the top tree lines
.
Point 10: Domomite Mines: 6.30km
Point 11 Kalkoond: 7.4km Eventually you mover down past old dolomite workings to the remains of a limestone oven. under the shade of these trees that surround the oven is an great place to take a rest and have something to munch on. We have stopped here several times.
Now nearly two thirds of the way along the trail you will pass through dense bush at the base of the mountains until you cross a fence by way of a ladder. A short walk across grassland brings you to Point no 13: Kudukloof 10.08km which you follow for some distance under shady trees.
A short walk across more open veld takes you back to the river, which you now cross using a cable car to get back to your starting point
and then a brief walk of about 50 m returens you to your car.
RESERVATIONS & ENQUIRIES:
Cell: 082 825 9205
Website: www.hennopstrails.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hennopshiking
GPS: S25 47.887 E27 59.404
Please note its open to day hikers on Saturdays, Sundays and public holiday. No booking is required for day hikers and they do not have card facilities.
Start from Hadeda Camp between 07h00 and 13h00
Day hikers get access to hiking trails, MTB trails, and loerie Camp (swimming pool and braai facilities)
Monday - Friday call office to make a booking
ACCOMMODATION:
all Hadeba Camp accommodation is basic hikers accommodation consisting of bunk beds, Hot showers and toilet facilities in ablution block.
BUNGALOW:sleeps 12 guests in 2 rooms of 6 each
RONDAVEL: sleeps 6 guests
GARDEN COTTAGE: 2 bed self catering cottage is available. this unit has a shower toilet en suite and fitted kitchenette.
For overnight accommodation contact Jacana Marketing
Reservations on 086 152 2262 / www.jacanacollection.co.za
_______________________________________
Turn-off the R511: S25 47.878 E27 59.511
Parking area: S25 47.886 e27 59.191
(From Fourways take the R511 driving in a northerly direction towards Hartbeespoort and Brits. The trail is 40 km from Johannesburg, 25 km from Pretoria and 16 km from hartbeespoort)
Some 40km from Johannesburg and 2.5 km from Tshwane / Pretoria and the stunning braai, picnic and swimming pool area situated under large old trees next to the river is very tranquil especially after a hike.
Hennops has an overnight hikers' hut which sleeps up to 18 people for those wanting to make a weekend of it.
There are 3 trails: The krokodilberg Day Trail (Yellow) which is 11.3 km long and will take you 4-5 hours. Difficulty is average to difficult.
The Zebra Day Trail (Green) which is 6.1 km long will take you about 2 hours and difficulty is easy to average.
The Dassie Route which is 2.5km long and will take around 1-2 hours. Difficulty is easy to average. This route offers parents the opportunity to bring the little ones along and introduce them to the adventure of hiking. It follows the same route as the Krokodilberg in the beginning then returns to no 6 (Pruimpie se gat) to the "cable-chair on the escape route.
Hennops Mountain Bike Trail: this is made of mostly of jeep tracks of 16 km. It will take you 1-2 hours to complete this track and difficulty is average to not too technical but its suitable for the adventurous rider.
Hennops Offroad Trail: this is a 9 km trail that will take you 2-4 hours. They don't list the difficulty, not sure if this is a good or bad thing!! the GPS co-ordinates: S25 47.490 E27 58.912. This trails has been designed to enable any four wheel driver to experience the true pleasure of 4x wheel driving in conditions that will suit the first time driver to the experienced driver.
Hennops trails are very popular and diverse offering a unique blend of mountain and spectacular river scenery with a rich and diverse flora and fauna, not to mention some rather interesting caves!!
When you arrive the parking area is not far from the owners house and we found a young lady selling coffee and snacks early in the morning. A guard is normally on duty at weekends to collect your permit.
I love the Krokodilberg Trail it is moderately difficult and there is no drinking water available along the route so please take at least 2 litres of water with you. During the summer months being out along the trails gets really hot, so lots of sunscreen and hats are a must. The heat also can increase the difficulty of the 11.3km trail.
The Zebra trail on the other hand is relatively easy and we always come across trail runners along this route. A variety of game can be viewed on this trail such as zebra, gnu, impala, blesbok, kudu and zonkie. You must wear good strong and sturdy footwear, obviously proper hiking boots would be first prize as the paths are really rugged and rock strewn and stripping is common.
The dolomitic surrounds proved many interesting and unusual rock formations and scattered everywhere and if Geology is an interest you will be in paradise!
We found out some rather interesting history about the area. The farm Skurweberg on which the trails are situated has been in the same family for several generations. It is made up of 1 000 ha and the region has many relics along the route which includes many ancient rock kraals the origins and dates are unknown for now but they are believed to be linked to the Mzilikaze era . There is evidence of recent dolomite mining which can be seen towards the far end of the Krokodilberg trail
The dolomite rock is the basement of the area and on our Krokodilberg trail we came across an old lime kiln from when the area was mined commercially. The weathering of the exposed dolomite has produced some really spectacular rock formations, especially around the anglo-Boer War hospital area.
There are some 10 mammal species found on the farm which include leopard, blesbok, kudu and blue wildebeest. there are many birds in fact 150 species of birds are found here. There are tons of difference types of indigenous plants and wildflowers.
There are mountain bike trails. Next to the river and under the shade of the beautiful old tress is the picnic area with a swimming pool, very clean toilets and braai facilities. Hikers who have paid to walk the trails do not have to pay for the use of these facilities. there is also a guesthouse available for those who require a degree of luxury.
The Krokodilberg Day Trail:
Point 1: You will start from the Hadeda Camp, situated at the farmhouse. This is the Base Camp for overnight accommodation and the starting point for day hikers. Once you have parked your car under the big trees you will walk from the parking area. Look our for the signs which indicate the start of the Krokodilberg trail (the guide is very helpful and will point you in the right direction). Walk through the open gate in the electrified fence and then down the path to the river bank.
This is also your end point where you will cross the river from the opposite side on a cable seat. Its heaps of fun and you are allowed to bring your dogs along the trails too.
Beautful dolomite rock formations abound!
It was a chilly winters morning and walking through the damp forrest added to the chill factor.
glad they have an alternative route should the river flood!!
The three routes are well marked so you should not get lost.
the river especially early in the morning or late afternoon offers fantastic photo opportunities!!
to your right is the low level bridge to the picnic area and you will need to continue along the trail on the left bank
Then you will climb up a steep trail onto a dolomite rock and once on top you are rewarded with spectacular views of the river below.
Point 3: Hospitaalgrot / Cave (Hospital Cave) Once you are on top below you is a tyre and chain ladder down to the river level. Here you can explore the dolomite formations and large open caves that were once an Anglo-Boer War Hospital, hence its current name "hospital cave"
From the Hadedakamp to Hospital Cave is 1.10km
stuning dolomite formations!!
My son climbing into the big chamber
the views below are really breathtaking and the early morning mist and lighting adding to the dramatic photograph
Point 4: as you make your way around the"summit" paths you have various look out points and then look down below to the suspension bridge.
Jordan at the look out point
Point 4: Legend: Hangbrug / Hanging bridge 1.27km
this bridge is awesome and does seem rather flimsy, but it is very secure, lots of fun!!
After crossing the bridge you then climb away from the river quiet steeply and walk through open grassland. there is now a steacy ascent into a more mountaineous arad of the farm. views of the Pelindaba atomic energy site now come into view and will reamin with you from most of the remaineder of the trail.
Point 5: Hardekraal: 1.83km Traces of a settlement possibly linked to the Mzilikaze era has been found here. Remnants of a stone packed kraal can be seen where cattle used to be kept in the winter. Look out for marked trees in this outdoor tree school.
the marked trees above and below as well as the packed stones
we start a bit of a ascent towards the Pruimpie se gat cave
Point 6: Pruimpie se Gat en Ontsnaproete / Escape Route: 2.17 km
The Legend says that Pruimpie was an orphan and was left behind after the Mzilikazi fled to the North to escape the Zulu Impis in 1837. Later in his life his best treat ws to ask for chew tabacco from his neighbours. Pruimpie lived in thsi very cave for some time and it was named after him. No one could tell us what happened to him.
If you are in a hurry you will miss this little gem, it is really worth the 5 or 10 minute stop!
it is not a huge cave about 8mx4m and where I am standing in the above black and white photo you can clearly see where then tunnel has been filled up so this is as far as you can go.
the lighting offered a spectacular photographic opportunity!!
some real Indiana Jones shots!!
my favorite shot!!
it was not difficult to climb in or climb out, luckily I had brought a headlamp with.
You then turn left and head up wards again towards the top tree lines
.
close to the top you enter the tree line, which offers some welcome shade. a little further along you will breach a beautiful view site which we usually use to stop and have a good drink and a few trail munchies
we came across some very well fed cattle along the way. At one stage one of them looked like he night take a charge at us!!
you will then continue your climb, rather steeply I might add and you will come across Point 7 Kees se Uitkukpunt and Point 8: Tierbos Uitkykpunt both are Lookout points
Between Point 8: Tierbos uitkykpunt 4.49km and Point 9: Klipstapel deur Onbekendes 6.30km is the Krokodil Escape
You then cross an access road and the trail evens out and then detours across fairly rugged terrain with fantastic examples of stunning aloes and a field of dolomite rock.
some of the aloes are really huge!!
Point 10: Domomite Mines: 6.30km
Point 11 Kalkoond: 7.4km Eventually you mover down past old dolomite workings to the remains of a limestone oven. under the shade of these trees that surround the oven is an great place to take a rest and have something to munch on. We have stopped here several times.
Now nearly two thirds of the way along the trail you will pass through dense bush at the base of the mountains until you cross a fence by way of a ladder. A short walk across grassland brings you to Point no 13: Kudukloof 10.08km which you follow for some distance under shady trees.
A short walk across more open veld takes you back to the river, which you now cross using a cable car to get back to your starting point
and then a brief walk of about 50 m returens you to your car.
RESERVATIONS & ENQUIRIES:
Cell: 082 825 9205
Website: www.hennopstrails.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hennopshiking
GPS: S25 47.887 E27 59.404
Please note its open to day hikers on Saturdays, Sundays and public holiday. No booking is required for day hikers and they do not have card facilities.
Start from Hadeda Camp between 07h00 and 13h00
Day hikers get access to hiking trails, MTB trails, and loerie Camp (swimming pool and braai facilities)
Monday - Friday call office to make a booking
ACCOMMODATION:
all Hadeba Camp accommodation is basic hikers accommodation consisting of bunk beds, Hot showers and toilet facilities in ablution block.
BUNGALOW:sleeps 12 guests in 2 rooms of 6 each
RONDAVEL: sleeps 6 guests
GARDEN COTTAGE: 2 bed self catering cottage is available. this unit has a shower toilet en suite and fitted kitchenette.
For overnight accommodation contact Jacana Marketing
Reservations on 086 152 2262 / www.jacanacollection.co.za
Adventure with a purpose!™
The Team Zodwa Project ™
Member: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
Photo Credits: Kim Williams CopyrightMember: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
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Kim Williams | Adventurer | Founder The Team Zodwa Project & Adventure with a purpose | Finalist Johnny Walker/Sunday Times Nation’s Greatest Hero Award | #Reachoutbeahero & #Adventurewithapurpose & #Trek4Hunger Ambassador |Brand Ambassador Eatfresh SA| Public Speaker|Facilitator| Outstanding Founders list @MagnificHQ |Outstanding People List @GirlsRunThings | Blogger| Fizzical National Everyday Hero Winner
Mobile 083 962 6707
Twitter @777adventurekim
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Blog mountaingirl777.blogspot.com
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“Life is an adventure…so live it. It’s your choice!”™
The Team Zodwa Project ™
Reach out...be a hero!™
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