SLACKPACKING is more than the new buzz; it is the new craze – less stress on your back and knees, while hiking and exploring.
The Trans Gamtoos hike is the newest edition to this craze, offering hikers slackpacking on dirt roads through the marvellous Gamtoos Valley.
It is a four-day (three-day hike) breakaway, which is perfect for a weekend and will hit all the highlights of this beautiful valley.
The hike includes the Kouga Dam and the historical Phillip’s tunnel and window.
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon at Padlangs, 7km outside Patensie, where you can park and leave your vehicle. From there you will be transported to the next day’s starting point in Cambria (one of the gateways to the spectacular Baviaanskloof).
Day 2: First day of hiking. Start at your own time and at your own pace after an early breakfast, through the Grootrivierpoort, entering the Gamtoos Valley and its agricultural offerings. Here you will cross the Gamtoos River and hike right up to the Kouga Dam, where a camp will be set for the night (± 25km).
Day 3: Again, at your own time and pace, you will follow the route through one of the valley’s hidden gems, the Droëkloof. Hikers will flex their muscles uphill a bit, and this will bring them to a high point for an almost bird’s eye view of the Gamtoos Valley, before descending again down into the Droëkloof and to the camp site (± 23km).
Day 4: From the Droëkloof camp hikers depart on the last shift, an easy hike to the historical site that includes Phillip’s tunnel. Hikers with extra energy should do the short, but steep climb to the famous “window” for one last view of the Gamtoos.
Transport back to vehicles at Padlangs (± 17km).
Need to know
This is not a guided hike; each hiker will receive a “fool’s guide” with proper information to get to the next camp. This guide will provide information on the day’s route on the gravel roads.
There will be cell phone reception most of the time.
This is a moderate to difficult hike due to the distances. The campsites are bush camps, which means there is no electricity.
Bring along
The hike includes the transport to and from your vehicle, as well as transport of gear (tent and luggage). Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as tea and coffee at the camp are included.
Bring along: tent, sleeping gear, camp chair, normal hiking accessories, own drinks and snacks.
- Send an email to transgamtoos@gmail.com or contact Jansie Both at 076 8340 760 or Maidie Smith at 072 1992 070.
