Days 1 & 2: The Core Waterkloof Experience
The Waterkloof Trail, nestled within the stunning Moolmanshoek Private Nature and Game Reserve in the Eastern Free State, offers a captivating multi-day hiking experience. With the iconic Visierskerf and Sikonjella’s Hat mountains as its backdrop, this trail is a hiker's paradise.
The adventure begins at the Moolmanshoek guest house, where breathtaking views of Visierskerf set the stage for the journey. The trail, also known as the Bundu and Gorge Trail, weaves through diverse landscapes, starting with an old fruit orchard and transitioning to grasslands and cultivated fields. As you venture deeper into the reserve, the trail winds along a riverine valley, passing a majestic sandstone overhang and leading to the first gorge. Here, hikers can take a refreshing swim in the rock pools and enjoy a well-deserved tea break.
The trail continues along a contour path, ascending to the top of the sandstone-carved kloof. For the more adventurous, the summit of Sikonjella’s Hat (2,330 m) offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The trail then descends into the second waterkloof, a subtropical oasis with a crystal-clear mountain stream, perfect for a leisurely lunch.
The final stretch of the first day’s hike leads to the Barolong overnight camp, a cozy cave nestled beneath a magnificent sandstone overhang. Here, hikers can choose to sleep under the stars or in the traditional wattle-and-daub rooms. As the sun sets, the tranquility of the natural surroundings creates a truly unforgettable experience.
The second day’s hike takes you along sandstone cliffs, past the Porcupine look-out point, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding valleys. Energetic hikers can challenge themselves by climbing to the summit of Visierskerf mountain (2,440 m). The trail then descends to the last of the waterkloofs, including the secluded Witgatbad, where hikers can relax in one of the seven pristine pools. The trail then meanders across the veld, leading back to the base camp.
Day 3: A Scenic Trek to the Sphinx
The three-day hike follows the contours at the base of Jacobsberg to the Sphinx mountain hut. The third day’s walk takes you along a grove of willow trees to a large swimming pool and a waterhole, where reed lookouts offer panoramic views. The trail then traverses cultivated lands and veld before returning to the base camp.
