Oorlogskloof Rameron Pigeon Trail

About Oorlogskloof Rameron Pigeon Trail

Start: Groot Tuin, Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Finish: Groot Tuin
Duration: 4 – 7 days, 53 km
Fitness: moderately fit
Our tip: pack a field guide to the area for the wild flowers

The Rameron Pigeon Trail is one of two trails in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve and can take anything from four to seven days, depending on your fitness level. Your evenings are spent in camp sites.

Day one: 5.9 km Groot Tuin to Kareebos takes a course through indigenous forest on the banks of the Oorlogskloof River to the campsite. It is not taxing.

Day two: 7.9 km Kareebos to Kameel se Gat along the river bank until you reach a waterhole. This trail then does the second day of the Rock Pigeon trail (fairly tough), deviating onlyl to reach Kameel se Gat camp site.

Day three: 4.6 km Kameel se Gat to Suikerbosfontein follows the third day of the Rock Pigeon hike.

Day four: 6.3 km Suikerbosfontein to Swartkliphuis passes several caves and graves attributed to earlier inhabitants of the area. The trail heads down to Draaikraal spring. There are a number of waterholes on this section of the hike. You then head back up to the plateau.

Day five: 8.1 km Swartkliphuis to Bo-kloof trails the cliffs of the Doltuin valley until you head down using a wooden ladder. You reach Gheling se Tenk via a couple of caves with rock paintings and a little waterfall. The stream you then cross is the last chance to fill up, and the final leg of the day leads through impressive boulders.

Day six: 7.3 km from Bo-kloof to Olienhoutbos follows the river course passing two overhanging rocks endowed with rock paintings. It is a relatively leisurely route. Olienhoutbos is reached via a rock feature with a difference.

Day seven: 12 km Olienhoutbos to Groot Tuin takes the river bed until you reach the jeep track and on to the Groot Tuin turnoff. The rest of the route is the same as the Rock Pigeon hike.