Hiking Trail Description

Situated near Lady Grey in the Witteberg range of the North Eastern Cape, some 280 km from Bloemfontein. This route offers the hiker magnificent mountain scenery with crystal-clear streams, wooded valleys, fascinating sandstone formations, high basalt cliffs and views that will really take your breath away. The area has a kind of Drakensberg character. Snowfalls occur quite frequently in winter on the high-lying areas. This areas is still home to the rare lammergeyer while rhebuck are seen frequently.

BLACK EAGLE TRAIL: From: Mtombo hut To: Olympus hut Distance: 11km Approximate duration: 4-6 hours Conditions: Comfortable walk with a few steep sections. The walk: Down Tempe Valley, down into the Karringmelkspruit valley past Black Eagle & Hammerkop nests. Enjoy a slide at the Slidey pool idyllic swimming & picnic spots. 4-5 River crossings, spectacular views of the Olympus gorge.Focuss is on enjoying the river!

This photo was taken near the end of the Black Eagle Trail.

CHEESEFACTORY TRAIL: From: Olympus hut To: Pelion House Distance: Approximate duration: 5-6 hours Conditions: Fair The walk: Along krantzes through the river valley up to Pelion House. Pass by the old Cheesefactory ruin. (If only doing the Cheesefactory route to Pelion, detour to the old water wheel, two river crossings further down the river). Swim in the deep pool below the Water wheel ruin. Stop at the old stone sheep dip en route back to the factory. Walk up the valley, in the Five Oaks river bed to the Roman Baths, ideal for a skinny dip before arriving at Pelion!

WITTEBERG SKYWALK: From: Olympus hut To: Top of mountain Distance: circular 12km walk Approximate duration: 5-6 hours Conditions: Tough, very steep, rugged The walk: Magnificent rugged scenery as you overlook the Transkei & Lesotho. Can combine it with the Cheesefactory trail to Pelion (8-9 hour walk). Keep look out for the Cape Vultures & Lammergeier, as well as the Grey & Red Rhebuck. 1. A tough 22km walk to Snowdon peak for the experienced hiker! Camp out (no facilities) but spectacular views at just on 9000 feet above sea level. Wild flowers magnificent. Lammergeier & Cape Vulture on route. Wildernesss walk for only the fittest! 2. Return to Upper Pelion house via the waterfalls, spectacular wilderness walk. 6-8 hours.

	The GPS coordinates of the Slidey Pool are: S30044.916' EO 27020.151'.

TABLE MOUNTAIN TRAVERSE TRAIL: From: Pelion House To: Tempevale Valley Approximate duration: 5-6 hours Conditions: Fair to steep up the mountain. The walk: Leave Pelion House, walk along the road, through Five Oaks veld along the ridge passed the poplar bushes, down into the Keiskama valley. Cross the stream at the picnic kloof, head up the gorge along the plateau for Table Mountain at 8200 feet a spectacular view...Spend time listening & watching for the baboons, Cape Vulture & Lammergeier plus the other raptors abound. Walk down the west side of the mountain down into the Tempevale valley, back up to reception where you would have left your vehicle. Alternatively you could take the lower path below Table Mountain past the Bongola Dam , over the nek & into Tempevale valley back to reception.

PELION VALLEY WALK (Highly Recommended): From: Pelion House To: Exploring area Approximate duration: As long or short as you want! Conditions: Fair but SPECTACULAR Why so special: The farm Upper Pelion is a Natural Heritage farm because of the management applied which is improving the natural resources beyond recognition! It is a very sensitive catchment area. Mon-tane bush & grassland is a refuge for many bird species...The wildflowers in spring & autumn are a sight to behold, Mountain bamboo abounds. In February/March the Nerinas are anunforgettablee sight as they stretch right up from the stream bed onto the top of the krantzes at the main waterfall. The Dolos dobo lily hides away in the shady wooded area, and Forget-me-nots carpet the valley beneath the knarled old Outhout trees. There is also a rare succulent above the waterfall. A Herbarium of the Wildflowers is being established with photographic records. Rhodes University are involved in the identification programme as several flowers have been sighted which have not been documented as yet! THE ACTUAL WALK will head you out from Pelion House & up the valley for a lovely walk along the stream bed (montane bush with lots ofbird lifee, wildflowers usually in abundance after spring rains right through into the autumn). Stop off for a swim in any one of the many waterfall pools, explore the hidden waterfalls & look for unusual flowers in the wooded area near them. Hike up to the main waterfall in the riverbed - stops are a MUST here...This 45m fall was frozen a thick 250mm two winters ago! Alternatively, take the rocky footpath up to the top of the waterfall, & back to the hidden falls & main stream junction, taking in the scenery on the way back to the Pelion House. Either walk back along the road, or the same path you came in on. It looks totally different on the way back to Pelion House... Above the Pelion waterfall, lies the hiking area - only a limited number of hikers being allowed up to Snowdon. The facilities at the Snowdon Old Police huts are not suitable for overnighting, but if hikers bring their own tent or bivouac, provides an unforgettablee experience with spectacular views into Transkei & Lesotho! Regularly it snows in winter so be prepared! Last winter the 45m waterfall froze 30cm thick! The 8 waterfalls up the valley are ideal for exploring & whiling away the day...restore your soul!

Direction: Turn off the R58 at Lammergeier Trail Signboard, 40 km about 40 km from Barkly East and 27 from Lady Grey. Travel 14 km on Joubert Pass gravel road to Reception.