Hanglip Forest Reserve

About Hanglip Forest Reserve

Hanglip Forest Reserve is a swathe of indigenous forest that hugs the base of Hanglip (Afrikaans for hanging lip), a rather conspicuous mountain peak that rises 1 719 metres just outside Louis Trichardt.

Did you know? Hanglip and Entabeni forests provide some of the most spectacular birding in the province and one can arrange guided day tours.

Not only does its characteristic 'lip' serve as a landmark but these cliffs are some of the highest points of the Soutpansberg, both the mountain and forest form part of the Hanglip Forest Reserve within the Hanglip State Forest – a combination of commercial pine plantations, bushveld and natural forest.

Locally known as Hanglip Bosreservaat, the reserve has over 340 hectares of indigenous sub-tropical forest criss-crossed with hiking paths, mountain forest streams and the call of birds. During the heat of the summer months, the forest provides a micro-climate of its own, offering cool shade and moss-covered rocks on which to rest.

There is a picnic site against the southern slope of Hanglip from which one can do a 20 minute circular trail through the forest – perfect for bird spotting. Hanglip and Entabeni forests provide some of the most spectacular birding in the province and one can arrange guided day tours (contact any professional birding guide of the area; see BirdLife South Africa).

The Soutpansberg Hike (Hanglip Hike) is a 20.5 km two-day circular trail through the forest and up just east of Hanglip, to the Hanglip hut that lies in the shadow of the peak.