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Spekboom Slack-pack Trial

The Spekboom Slackpack Trail is a fully supported hiking experience that can be customized to suit the fitness levels and preferences of the group. The hike can be completed in 3 to 5 days, with tailor-made route options chosen by the group before departure.

The difficulty level ranges from below average to above average, depending on the group’s chosen route. For safety reasons, groups are required to stick to their selected route and cannot split up.

 

 

 

 

Trail Overview

  • Start and end: The circular route starts and ends at the Bucklands Farmstead, with your first destination being the Ghê Ghê Shepherd's Hut. Here you can stay for the duration of your booking or after one night, hike to the second destination, Ouwerwe Camp House.
  • Duration: Depending on the group’s preference, the hike can be done in 3 days, 4 days, or 5 days.
  • Route options: Hikers can choose from various day hikes from the two overnight places, resulting in sleeping for two or more nights in the same location.
  • Distance: The distance varies according to day hike preferences and route options.
  • Difficulty: Average – suitable for hikers with moderate to good fitness levels. Some of the day hikes are as specified, more difficult.
  • Maximum number of hikers: 8
  • Minimum number of hikers: 6
  • Location: 150 km from Port Elizabeth; 300 km from George; 700 km from Cape Town; 600 km from Bloemfontein

 

The Trail Breakdown

Day 1 – 12 km

The first day is a relatively easy walk through open landscapes, following bakkie roads and sheep footpaths along the river. The route includes some long uphill sections, taking you to the  Shepherds Hut. This restored shepherd’s cottage offers a rustic, yet comfortable, overnight stop, complete with bunk beds, an outdoor bucket shower, a sink tub for bathing, a flush toilet, fridge, braai facilities, and a gas stove. The hut also has a table, chairs, and a veranda for relaxing after the day’s hike.

 

 

Day 2

Day two can be used to advance to the second overnight hut, The Ouwerwe, or the group can stay for another night and choose from a variety  of day hikes around Ghê Ghê :

  • Rooikloof Bakkranse (11 km, above average fitness): A challenging hike up Paardenberg with scenic views, caves, and rock pools.
  • Rooikloof (4 km, average fitness): A short, scenic hike to a spring, with the option to continue to a dry waterfall.
  • Langrant (11 km, average fitness): A scenic and easy hike through marked trails.
  • Potskerwe Cave (10 km, above average fitness level): An unmarked but mapped trail, up the Paardenberg to a beautiful cave.
  • Xillis Hill (1,5km, average fitness): Short hikes close to the hut, unmarked but scenic and easy.
  • Ouwerwe Camp House (9 km, average fitness): The route is well mapped and marked, and your luggage and meals will await you at Ouwerwe Camp House.

 

Day 3 – Ouwerwe Camp House

  • Continue your exploration of the surroundings by doing more of the following short hikes around Die Ouwerwe:
  1. Vate se Gat (4 km, average fitness) At Vate se Gat there is a wild camping spot that also serves as a picnic spot if there are no campers.  Nice for swimming or paddling in the 2 canoes.
  2. Heuningkop (2 km, average fitness) can be combined with Vate se Gat for a nice circular morning hike.
  3. Klipkrale (2 km, average fitness) - Hostoric hand packed stone kraals with a shepherd’s hut,
  4. Plukhok se Skuur (8 km moderate fitness) This is a nice route for a midday picnic and can be combined with Vate se Gat for a great day hike.
  • On the last day, prepare your luggage to be collected.
  • Hike back to the Bucklands Farmstead by one of the following trails:
  1.  The Bakkie Road (4.7 km, average fitness) - Easy walking along existing vehicle tracks.
  2. The Skaappaadjies (6.5 km, average fitness) - Moderate difficulty along existing game paths.
  3. The First Day route in reverse, via Vate se Gat. (6 km , average fitness) - Easy walking.
  4. Turskvykrans Route (11 km, above average fitness). NOTE: This trail can only be done if the river bed is dry. This is an above moderate diffulty route and takes you down the river bed to the last portion of the Grootrivierspoort Hiking Trail. From here you hike down the Perdevoetpad over the Diepnek, back to the farmstead.