Golden Gate Highlands National Park |
Glen Reenen Restcamp|
Highlands Mountain Retreat |
Other Accommodation
This is a 31 km circular trail in the
Golden Gate Highlands National Park and will take 2 days to complete.
Accommodation consits of the Rhebok Hut, accommodating 18 people, with lamps, stove, cooking utensils and washing facilities, a protective reed 'boma' with braai facilities and firewood, 2 flush toilets, shower and running water.
The main attractions include mountain scenery (situated 1500 - 2830 metres above sea level), reintroduced wildlife, birdlife, fresh mountain air and interesting geological formations.
Hikers must be older than 10 years.
The latest time to start walking the the trail from Glen Reenen is 8 am and during summer walking should start before 7 am.
Sleet, snow and thick mist occur often in winter, thunderstorms in summer; pack accordingly. Puff adders and rinkhals are common so wear ankle-high hoots and be alert.
The
Rhebok Hiking Trail climbs Generaalskop (2 757 m), and provides a panoramic view of Lesotho and the Orange Free State. This rugged, mountainous area is well-endowed with streams, kloofs and waterfalls, traversed by the hiking trail.
Walkers must be fit to undertake this hike. Starting at the Glen Reenen Rest Camp, the first leg of the trail winds 16 km (7 Hours) to Oudehouts Kloof, and then to the overnight hut which is senically situated next to a stream.
The climb up Generaalskop on the second day is strenuous; the 1 000 m ascent takes about 3,5 hours, followed by a 2-hour return to base.
Indigenous wildlife, which includes eland, black wildebeest, blesbok, springbok and zebra, was once prolific in this north-eastern highveld region of the Free State and has been reintroduced to the park. Hikers may also spot grey rhebok, mountain reedbuck and oribi.
Birdlife is plentiful - the black eagle, jackal buzzard and various waterfowl species can readily be seen.
For those who are not keen on such an energetic trail, there are also shorter walks on marked paths in the
Golden Gate Highlands National Park (a map is available from the entrance gate).
