Hike to the summit of the Magaliesberg

About Hike to the summit of the Magaliesberg

The Mountain Trail at Shelter Rock - 8km with 400m rise to the summit. The Mountain Trail is a journey through nature, human history and geology in the Magaliesberg - from ancient times to the present.

Your journey starts at Base Camp in the valley and winds 4 km, rising 400 meters to the top of the mountain. On the return journey you may visit the base of the rock face. The trail is suitable for all levels of fitness. You may return to Base Camp via circular routes or short cuts from as far as The Shelter Rock. You will be issued with a Pocket Guide to the Mountain Trail. The pocket guide explains the formation and geology of the Magaliesberg, the human history and fauna and flora of the area.

On the journey you will experience the unique kloof with 1 000+ year old trees and rocks that are 3 000 million years old, the ruins of an iron age village, the Shelter Rock, wind weathered sandstone sculptures, remnants of the 2 500 million year old sea bed of Gondwanaland and the remains of the forts, dating from the war with England 1898-1902, on the summit. A variety of birds, game and indigenous trees as well as Klipspringer, Dassie, Chacma Baboons and monkey's may be seen along the way.

You will enjoy the constantly changing views as you ascend to the view point on the summit. On a clear day they you may see the kloof of Groenkloof, the hills at Sun City, Madibeng, The Hartebeestpoort Dam, Sandton and Randburg, the Johannesburg General Hospital, the Witwatersberg and the West Rand.

Walking in nature is part of a healthy life style, and the routes have been designed to cater for fitness levels of average outdoor enthusiasts. You have the opportunity to meet fellow nature lovers during the journey and at Base Camp.

The journey is suitable for all ages and lasts approximately 5 hours.