Boland Hiking Trail

About Boland Hiking Trail

Start: Hottentots Holland Mountains, at Nuweberg on Viljoen's Pass between Grabouw and Villiersdorp
Finish: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Duration: usually 3 days
Fitness: moderate to difficult

A series of five different hiking routes make up the Boland trail. Usually hikers combine the routes, with two overnight stops. But you can do the routes as separate day hikes, or combine any of them into routes that suit you. It is up to the group of hikers.

The five routes are

The Hottentots Holland part of the Boland Trail is roughly 40 km in total, taking one through the heart of the Cape Floral Region.

Cape Nature provide overnight huts at Landdroskop and Boesmanskloof. Each of them sleeps 30 people in four rooms with bunk beds, mattresses and wood and water. You need to book each room separately. They have been upgraded in the last three years with a deck and braai lapa added to each.

The most popular trail is the Nuweberg to Landdroskop and back to Nuweberg along the jeep track. Despite looking difficult, it is not too hard on the legs, although relentlessly uphill, and perfect to walk on a warm spring or autumn day. Day two in particular is rather short, so take your time to drink in the views.

Landdroskop to Boesmanskloof (the shorter not the longer version) winds downhill from Landdroskop into the Riviersonderend gorge, with some wonderful swimming opportunities as the day progresses. It can get heavy going climbing up Noordekloof to Pofaddernek.