Lower Gorge Trail
By Suzanna Pautz - Take A Walk Hiking Club
Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes
Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes borders on the Groendal nature reserve and the owners are passionate about nature preservation and creating trails that invite enthusiastic hikers to explore this wilderness.
There are 4km to 18km hikes on offer of varying difficulty levels
Rocky yet moderate, well-marked trail
Hiking stick, swimming gear, snacks and Merrell shoes with good grip for boulder hopping.
Route:
The Lower Two Gorges trail is an out and back trail. It is very well marked. Expect a rocky trail with some clambering over large boulders, navigating your way around rocky outcrops, and walking along rocky ledges. As you walk up the kloof, you will be in the shade of trees most of the way with more exposed sections higher up the gorge.
Kleinrivier offers luxurious overnight accommodation in cabins and a tented riverside camp. The trail leads past these areas in the first kilometer, so the owners ask that you speak quietly if you have to until you are past the accommodation.
You can download the trail map from the Kleinrivier website before your hike.
Field Notes:
This trail has almost 200m of elevation. A trekking pole is beneficial. Shoes with good grip like the Vibram outsoles on the Agility Peak 5’s are essential for the rocky sections. Don’t forget your swimming things, a highlight is swimming at Spring Gat waterfall.
Join Our Hiking ClubTrail Log:
The trail begins at reception. There is a short section of jeep track which you follow past the Dassieskrans cabins. You’ll soon find yourself crossing over a wooden bridge (think Lord of the Rings) and walking past Black Eagle Tented camp. You’ll come to a sign for Spring Gat, this is the largest waterfall and deepest pool but we don’t stop yet, we save the best for last!
After about 2 km, there is a high orange cliff face, this makes for some dramatic photos. About 50m on from there you’ll come to the second waterfall. Here we stopped for a swim and a snack.
Refreshed from our waterfall swim, we continued on another 2 km up the gorge. We kept our heads up looking at the layered and curved rock formations. The lunch spot and turn around point has a 1 meter waterfall running over a large flat rock and down into a pool.
On the way back to reception we stopped at Spring Gat, dipped our toes in the water and let the Red Finned Minnows, endemic to this part of the Eastern Cape, give us a fishy pedicure.
To book your day hike contact Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes on 083 9917021.
Cost is R75 per person (2025 rates)
There is 22 km of gravel road to get there. You will drive through 6 farm gates which all have to be closed behind you.
