SWARTBERG WALK

This walk follows the Dorps River along the lower reaches of the Swartberg Pass. It includes an introduction to the spectacular folded mountains, to the design and construction of this famous pass in the late 1800s, and close up examination of the indigenous plants including some well-known horticultural, medicinal, edible and aromatic species. We walk across the Dorps River drift at Eerste Water, and you may need to wade through the water there and at Malvadraai. The walk (including the drive to the start) take a total of around two and a half hours.

The meeting place is at the Fransie Pienaar Museum in the main road, 10 minutes before the start of the walk. Please bring your vehicle or arrange a lift with other walkers, because the start of the walk is 8 kilometres from the meeting place. In addition to walking shoes bring a jacket, hat and binoculars.

Walks are guided by ecologist Sue Milton-Dean, who has extensive knowledge of Karoo natural history, veld management and restoration. She is ably assisted by Collette Hurt, a local artist with considerable knowledge of local conditions, fauna, flora and archaeology.