ralphpina.com » helderberg http://www.ralphpina.com Ralph Pina's blog Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:44:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Jonkershoek hiking http://www.ralphpina.com/2008/12/jonkershoek-hiking/ http://www.ralphpina.com/2008/12/jonkershoek-hiking/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:19:47 +0000 Ralph http://cern.serve-hosting.net/~ralphpin/?p=394
  • Climbing Victoria Peak
  • Hiking in Kogelberg
  • Climbing Twin Peaks, Jonkershoek
    • ]]>     Five k’s from my home in Stellenbosch is the rugged Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The area boasts the highest rainfall in the Western Cape, and two major rivers rise at the valley head: the Berg and the Eerste rivers.

    The Panorama route (or half of it) climbs the eastern slopes of the valley, traverses the ridge and descends Kurktrekkernek (“corkscrew saddle”) via first and second waterfalls . It’s a 5-6 hour leisurely hike, but fairly strenuous.  I have done it many times, but the views and solitude are always worth it.

    Towards Franschoek from Bergriviersnek

    Towards Franschoek from Bergriviersnek

    The Google Earth GPS tracks above show the routes up to Bergriviersnek, Swartboskloof and Botmaskop. At the top of Swartboskloof you will find wonderful vistas of the Helderberg Bowl and the Kogelberg coast. Some of these views are shown in the slideshow below.

    If the track doesn’t appear in the window above or you don’t want to install the plugin in your browser, then download the Google Earth Rim of Africa file and view it in Google Earth (download Google Earth)

    Related posts:

    1. Climbing Victoria Peak
    2. Hiking in Kogelberg
    3. Climbing Twin Peaks, Jonkershoek

    ]]>     http://www.ralphpina.com/2008/12/jonkershoek-hiking/feed/ 1     Helderberg hike http://www.ralphpina.com/2007/04/helderberg-hike/ http://www.ralphpina.com/2007/04/helderberg-hike/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2007 15:35:58 +0000 Ralph http://cern.serve-hosting.net/~ralphpin/?p=403
  • Eden to Addo Mega-Hike 2006
  • Jonkershoek hiking
  • Rim of Africa Google Earth track
    • ]]>     With Clarissa, a fellow mega-hiker, and Patrick I once more headed for Helderberg’s Dome. This autumn Saturday was hot and windless. On previous occasions over the years I have not climbed all the way to the top of The Dome and I was determined do it this time. But then perhaps I was younger and fitter because although it was only about 12.5 km x 1160m it felt a lot tougher than I remembered…The route starts at the very pleasant Helderberg Nature Reserve where one can spend many hours wondering through the fynbos.

    Follow one of the tracks up to Disa Gorge, exit up the right slope and traverse a ridge into the next gulley. A track hugs the cliff up into the neck, from where you cross to the northern aspect and follow the contour path east. Climb a steep kloof that could be tricky in wet months and then bear left up a steepish ramp to follow the ridge to the Dome. It’s worth the effort…

    Related posts:

    1. Eden to Addo Mega-Hike 2006
    2. Jonkershoek hiking
    3. Rim of Africa Google Earth track

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