The Soutpansberg Hiking Trail is set on the southern slopes of the Soutpansberg mountain range, near Makhado (Louis Trichardt) in the Limpopo Province.
Take the N1 north out of Pretoria to Makhado approximately 380km from Pretoria. In Makhado (still on the N1), turn left at the third four-way stop into Stubbs Street. At the second four-way stop, turn right into Forestry Road and keep driving until you reach the gate to the Hanglip Plantation. From the gate, continue on the gravel road for about 2km to the Soutpansberg Hut.
The Soutpansberg Hiking Trail has the Hanglip two-night trail as its only option, covering a total distance of 20.5km.
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Day one
- Start at the fence next to the store.
- There is a gradual climb through pine trees and sections of indigenous forest to a gravel road that forms part of the main route.
- Walk a few metres along the gravel road; turn left before starting the steep climb through indigenous forest and lush ferns to a murmuring stream for a well-deserved rest. Tread softly not to disturb the many birds and wild animals you are likely to see near the water.
- Catch your breath on an easy walk for about 1.5km through indigenous forest before returning once again to the pine trees and gravel road.
- From the gravel road, turn left. This section of the trail narrows with many twists and turns through dense indigenous vegetation, which may slow you down a little.
- A 10m high wooden ladder helps you reach the top of the rock face.
- Having reached the top, take a leisurely walk through pine trees back to the gravel road.
- Walk along the gravel road for about 2km before turning left again towards rocks and fynbos foliage.
- Pass the towers to the lookout for a breathtaking view of the bushveld valleys and Makhado in the distance.
- As you continue below the Hanglip overhang, be extremely careful not to let this stony section impede your hike.
- The last stretch has another section of indigenous forest for you to walk through before reaching the Hanglip Hut.
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Day two
This easy section is 90% downhill to below the hut.
- Start your hike behind the Hanglip Hut, over a rocky outcrop and through fynbos foliage.
- You come to an indigenous forest, which you walk through, before going through another section of pine trees.
- Cross over a section of grassland until the houses come into view.
- Take the entrance road towards the Soutpansberg Hut.
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Distances
Soutpansberg Hut to Hanglip Hut – 12.3km.
Hanglip Hut to Soutpansberg Hut – 6.5km.
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Difficulty grading
Day one is difficult with many steep climbs.
Day two is easy.
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General information
- This well marked, well laid out circular trail starts and ends at the Soutpansberg Hut. The first night of the trail is spent at the Hanglip Hut.
- Please note. The kitchen at the conference facilities may not be used by hikers.
Hut facilities
Soutpansberg Hut. This comfortable hut was once a forest station office before being converted. There are 22 bunk beds, two showers and two toilets. It has electricity and a geyser for hot water. An outside braai facility with firewood is available.
Hanglip Hut. This wooden hut with 22 bunk beds, two toilets and two showers has no electricity or hot water. There is an inside, centrally situated braai/fireplace with firewood and an outside braai for the summer.
History
Although no one can say when early man first occupied the Soutpansberg area, it is known that hominids lived here as evidenced by the implements these hunter-gatherers left and the skeletal remains of the ancient 'ape man' Australopithecus, found in the Makapan caves near Mokopane, 175km west of the Soutpansberg. More recent residents in the area were the yellow-skinned San.
The first Iron Age people arrived in the area about 1700 years ago. They lived in village settlements, farmed with sorghum and millet, herded cattle, sheep and goats and smelted iron and copper.
Other previous inhabitants included the Venda, who broke away from the Rozwi Empire of Zimbabwe in 1700 AD, the Tshonga who lived here in the 1820s and small groups of Sotho who lived north-west of the
Soutpansberg. The Voortrekkers came to the region in the mid 1800s and gave the Soutpansberg mountain range its name. Schoemansdal was the most northern white settlement at the time.
Special precautions
- Hikers must carry at least two litres of drinking water with them.
- This summer rainfall area has hot summers and cold winters. However, rain falls throughout the year high on the mountains.
- Hikers must have their own first-aid kit.
- Malaria does occur occasionally and hikers are advised to take the necessary precautions.
- For assistance during emergencies, call the police at 015-583 0121 or an ambulance at (015) 583-0387.
- Birds: With approximately 400 bird species in the Soutpansberg area, the Soutpansberg-Limpopo Birding Route is a birder's paradise. Along the streams and in the dense bush you may see crested guinea fowl, Narina trogon, and purplecrested lourie. Along the rocky ridges, look out for rock kestrel, black eagle, jackal buzzard, rock pigeon, rock martin, and redwinged starling. Along the grasslands you may find African hawk eagle, crowned eagle, and African goshawk.
- Mammals, reptiles and insects. Bushbuck, klipspringer, a variety of snakes and lizards and at least one species of butterfly, Swanepoel's Widow (Dira swanepoeli), is endemic to the area.
- Flora. About 540 tree species, including the Knobthorn (Knoppiesdoring, Mokala/Mokoba), as well as interesting fungi is found along the route.
Park your vehicle at the Soutpansberg Hut.
R105.00 per person per night. Please click here to book now!