Kaapschehoop Hiking Trails

The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail is located near Nelspruit (Mbombela) in Mpumalanga.

This historic little town is also well known for the wild horses roaming freely!! Hikers just might see some of them when hiking in the majestic mountains.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

The KAAPSCHEHOOP HUT has 16 bunk beds, a donkey boiler for hot water (the donkey boiler will be lit for you), 2 showers and 2 toilets.
There is a lovely braai area with a grid and firewood provided, but no electricity. Bring your own eating and cooking utensils.
The BARRETTS COACHES (Two train coaches) have no electricity, 50 bunk beds, 3 toilets, 2 showers, and a braai area with firewood provided. Bring your own cutlery and crockery, eating and cooking utensils

Trail Options:

Refer To Your Trail Map For Distances.

The trail has two different starting points, namely at Barretts Coaches or Kaapsche hoop Hut.You can either start at Barrets Coaches OR Kaapsche Hoop (2 Night options only)
Total distance 32km

FROM: Barretts Coaches to Kaapschehoop

Start your hike at Barretts Coaches. Shortly after passing the forest station, the trail takes you down into the first ravine, Jack’s Corner, before crossing a stream. Walk through the indigenous forest to the base of a cliff and follow the contour. Leave the forest through a gully at the edge of the cliff and continue until you get to a piece of land covered with pine trees. At this point the path traces a historical wagon path, crosses the forestry road and enters more pine trees. This area is known as Bannister’s Gold Workings and was a major digging when the diggers used to live here.

The trail now follows a small plantation path through pine and gum trees before climbing over rocks that form part of the escarpment. Follow the path along the escarpment until you reach the viewpoint. (Further descriptions/ instructions are available on the INFO PACK when making enquiries/ bookings) Contact our office for full brochures.

FROM: Kaapschehoop to Barretts Coaches

From the Kaapschehoop Hut, walk along the escarpment edge until you reach the Kaapschehoop lookout post. On clear days it is possible to see as far as Barberton.

The trail now takes you through rocky outcrops and a natural kraal until you reach a rocky maze. This rocky maze, which is very often covered in fog, gave Kaapschehoop its original name of Duiwelskantoor (Devil’s Office). Pass the old historic cemetery, then walk through pine trees until you reach Battery Creek. Descend into the creek by way of a small gully where a little boulder-hopping will help you reach the Battery Creek Falls. Follow the trail along the creek. The influence of water and sunlight on the two slopes is visible at this point. The northern side is moist and cool and the southern side is hot and dry. This micro-variation influences the vegetation on each slope. The trail joins a forestry path at a small weir and then goes through the pine trees to an old lookout. Follow the cliff edge until you enter a rocky plain. Once over the plain, the trail enters a patch of indigenous forest before climbing to a rocky outcrop that takes you to a forestry road and a dam. Barretts Coaches is only a few metres away.