Kaapschehoop

Unfortunately Safcol have not managed to maintain this trail and we received feedback that Wattle Hut in particular was unusable. We have therefore chosen to remove this guide from our website.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Get ready to meander through streams, pine plantations, and beautiful forests and experience incredible views from the Drakensberg escarpment on the Kaapschehoop Trail. Various circular routes are offered on this trail, ranging from two nights to five nights.

Hikers carry their full backpacks and food on this trail, so be sure to try the Trail Food Company’s nutritious, dehydrated hiking food. Our meals are convenient and lightweight, meaning that you don’t have to spend time worrying about meal prep or carrying excessive weight in your backpack.

We highly recommend that you try our hearty Beef & Barley, North African Couscous (a firm favourite), and the delicious Free Range Chicken & Lentil Curry for your Kaapschehoop hike dinner options.

All of these substantial meals are made by Trail Food’s very own chef so believe us when we say that they’re packed with flavour! If you’d like a medley of specially curated hiking packs for multi-day hikes, we’ve got you covered with everything you might need.

All you need to do is enjoy your time on the trail and boil a bit of water to enjoy a warm meal within minutes once you reach your overnight accommodation.

We’re just as excited as you are about everything you’ll get to see and experience on this trail, so without further ado, take a look at our Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail Ultimate Guide.

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Please Note:

Upon review of the Kaapschehoop Hiking Guide it has proven difficult to get accurate, up-to-date information.

We still believe that parts of this hike are wonderful and well worth doing – HOWEVER – please note that parts of the trail and accommodation are not well maintained and that one should never hike alone.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Kaapschehoop Trails

Why Should You Choose The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail?

Back in the 1880s, when gold prospectors flocked to the goldfields of the De Kaap Valley, the area where Kaapschehoop lies today was known as “Devil’s Office” due to the peculiar amount of sandstone formations that create a rather gloomy ambience when they tower up through the dense mist.

Upon the discovery of gold, prospectors and diggers flocked in from around the world, and the village of Kaapschehoop (translating to Cape Hope) came to exist next to the Berlyn farm. However, the coveted mineral would soon be discovered in a reef along the Witwatersrand, and prospecting interest funnelled towards that part of South Africa.

While Kaapschehoop was no longer a bustling miner’s town, the village had solidified a colourful culture, and the pubs and hotels still made it a popular destination to visit.

Today, one would be remiss not to acknowledge that the village bears similarities to Pilgrim’s Rest, which also showcases the remnants of a rich mining history.

Things To Look Out For On The Kaapschehoop Hike

Where should we start here when there’s so much to find?

  • Firstly, this trail is a birder’s paradise! Many hikers set their sights on finding the rare, internationally endangered Blue Swallow in the grassland area, where the birds breed. More than 200 bird species thrive in the wetlands, mountains, woodlands, and forests.
  • The wild horses along the trail remain a highlight for the majority of hikers. They are believed to be the offspring of the mining horses and ponies who were abandoned after the South African War.
  • Keep an eye out for jackals, bush pigs, porcupines, klipspringer, vervet monkeys, baboons, and even leopards.
  • The area has beautiful yellowwood trees, cycads, tree ferns, and aloes.
  • Rock formations
  • Waterfalls
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When To Hike The Kaapschehoop Trail

Like many other multi-day hikes in South Africa, you can hike the Kaapschehoop Trail throughout the year. However, winter nights can be rather cold since the hike is along the Drakensberg escarpment at an altitude of 1628m.

You can expect average daytime averages of approximately 25°C during the summer. Considering the altitude of the landscape, you can expect mist and reasonably high rainfall on the trail.

About The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail

Here’s all the essential information you need to know for the Kaapschehoop Trail.

The longest route is 60.2km, and the shortest route is 23.5km.
The Kaapschehoop Trail has different circular hiking options. The trail has a variety of route options that range from two nights to four nights. All the trails start at the Kaapschehoop Hut and the Barretts Coaches.
The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail has different route options, which range from moderate to difficult.
Hikers should be reasonably fit for this hike, as the distances are relatively long and can be strenuous in sections.
The minimum age is 12 and the maximum age to embark on this hiking trail is 65.
Hikers carry their own backpacks with food, bedding, and kitchen necessities.

The Kaapschehoop Trail has 4 overnight huts:

  • The Kaapschehoop Hut (16 bunk beds)

  • The Barretts Coaches (50 bunk beds)

  • The Wattles Hut (24 bunk beds)

  • The Florence Hill Hut (10 bunk beds)

Please note that the condition of some of the huts can be rather variable as they have not been well-maintained.

All overnight accommodation options have safe drinking water. There are also streams along the route to refill water bottles.

  • All overnight stops have showers.
    • – Kaapschehoop Hut: donkey boiler
    – Barretts Coaches: electricity
    – Wattles Hut: donkey boiler
    – Florence Hill Hut: gas heater
  • There are no pots, pans, crockery, or cutlery at any of the overnight stops.
  • All four overnight options have braai areas.
  • Firewood is supplied at all of the overnight accommodation. The Wattles Hut and Florence Hill Hut both have fireplaces.
  • All huts have toilet facilities.
The closest emergency unit is in Mbombela, about 32km from the town of Kaapschehoop.
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Different Options For The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail

As mentioned, the Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail has various route options. They vary in length and scenery, which also makes this hike an excellent choice if you want to return to Mpumalanga to explore the other routes.

The routes below may often seem very similar but in fact, the beauty of the Kaapschehoop trails is that there are multiple routes between the various overnight stops. A look at the map shows you the variety of options available.

The Kaapschehoop Hiking Routes

Here’s a look at the basics of each hiking option:

Two-Night Options

Day 1: Barretts Coaches to Kaapschehoop – 14km
Day 2: Kaapschehoop to Barretts Coaches – 9.5km
Rating: Moderate
Parking: Park at Barretts Coaches at the Berlin Plantation
Day 1: Kaapschehoop to Barretts Coaches – 9.5km
Day 2: Barretts Coaches to Kaapschehoop – 14km
Rating: Moderate
Parking: Park your vehicle at the Kaapschehoop Hut
Day 1: Barretts Coaches to Wattles Hut – 14.3km
Day 2: Wattles to Barretts Coaches – 9.4km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at Barretts Coaches at the Berlin Plantation
Day 1: Kaapschehoop to Florence Hill – 16.67km
Day 2: Florence Hill to Kaapschehoop – 15.29km
Rating: Moderate
Parking: Park your vehicle at the Kaapschehoop Hut
Day 1: Barretts Coaches to Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 2: Wattles Hut to Kaapschehoop Hut – 13.8km
Day 3: Kaapschehoop Hut to Barretts Coaches – 14km
Rating: Moderate
Parking: Park your vehicle at the Barretts Coaches and hop on the trail to the Wattle Hut

Three-Night Options

Day 1: Barretts Coaches to the Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 2: Wattles Hut to the Kaapschehoop Hut – 13.8km
Day 3: Kaapschehoop Hut to the Barretts Coaches – 9.8km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at the Barretts Coaches at the Berlin Plantation
Day 1: Kaapschehoop Hut to the Barretts Coaches – 9.8km
Day 2: Barretts Coaches to the Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 3: Wattles Hut to the Kaapschehoop Hut – 13.8km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at the Kaapschehoop Hut
Day 1: Kaapschehoop to the Florence Hill Hut – 16.67k
Day 2: Florence Hill Hut to Barretts Coaches – 14.46km
Day 3: Barretts Coaches to Kaapschehoop Hut – 15.3km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park your vehicle at the Kaapschehoop Hut
Day 1: Barretts Coaches to the Kaapschehoop Hut – 15.3km
Day 2: Kaapschehoop Hut to Florence Hill Hut – 16.67km
Day 3: Florence Hill Hut to Barretts Coaches – 14.46
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at the Barretts Coaches at the Berlin Plantation
Day 1: Kaapschehoop Hut to Florence Hill Hut – 16.67km
Day 2: Florence Hill Hut to Barretts Coaches – 14.46km
Day 3: Barretts Coaches to Kaapschehoop – 15.3km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at the Kaapschehoop Hut and immediately start your hike to the Florence Hill Hut
Day 1: Barretts Coaches to Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 2: Wattles Hut to the Kaapschehoop Hut – 13.8km
Day 3: Kaapschehoop Hut to Florence Hill Hut – 16.67km
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park your vehicle at the Barretts Coaches and immediately start your hike to the Wattle Hut

Four-Night Options

Day 1: Barretts Coaches to the Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 2: Wattles Hut to the Kaapschehoop Hut – 13.8km
Day 3: Kaapschehoop Hut to Florence Hill Hut – 16.67km
Day 4: Florence Hill Hut to the Barretts Coaches – 14.46km
Rating: Difficult
Parking: Park at the Barretts Coaches at the Berlin Plantation
Day 1: Kaapschehoop Hut to Florence Hill Hut – 16.67km
Day 2: Florence Hill Hut to the Barretts Coaches – 14.46km
Day 3: Barretts Coaches to the Wattles Hut – 15.3km
Day 4: Wattles Hut to the Kaapschehoop Hut
Rating: Moderate to difficult
Parking: Park at Kaapschehoop
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What To Expect From The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail

Considering that this hike has so many variations, here are a few snippets of each route.

Barretts Coaches To The Wattles Hut

  • The hike starts at the Barretts Coaches, and you’ll head into a ravine that is known as “Jack’s Corner”.

  • Cross a stream and enjoy your hike through a pine tree plantation and an indigenous forest.

  • You’ll walk along a cliff base and start your descent into a valley with lush forest.

  • The route will take you to a cliff edge with marvellous views over the valley.

  • Descend along the rocks into the Starvation Creek Nature Reserve, where you’ll see the endangered cycads and descend further to a stream that will take you to the Starvation Creek Falls.

  • You’ll meander through a forest, open grassland, and a plantation that lies next to a wetland. Keep an eye on the trail when you pass a section where pine needles cover the ground, as they cover remnants of trenches that were made during the gold rush in the 1880s.

  • Continue to a ledge that will lead to a scenic stream and cross a wetland to reach the Wattles Hut between the pine trees.

Wattles Hut To The Barretts Coaches

  • Leave the Wattles Hut and follow the trail through the pine trees until you reach a grassy plain.

  • Cross the plain towards a maze of rocks (you’ll see radio and television transmission towers that keep the Lowveld connected).

  • Note the geology along the escarpment, which includes conglomerates, calcareous dolomites, and black reef quartzites.

  • Continue along the edge of the escarpment, go past a watershed and over a forestry road before entering a pine tree plantation.

  • Here you will find Bannister’s Gold Workings and follow the historical wagon path through pine forests to the edge of the escarpment.

  • Follow the escarpment edge into an indigenous forest that sits at the base of a cliff.

  • You will cross a stream and climb through the pine trees to get to the Berlin Forest Station.

Wattles Hut To Kaapschehoop

  • Start your hike through areas with pine trees, gum trees, fynbos, and grass before you’ll climb through a rock ledge to reach the top of the cliff for magnificent views of the escarpment.

  • Continue through patches of pine trees and fynbos and follow a forestry road.

  • The trail will start to incline over grassy plains towards the cliffs.

  • Follow along the escarpment edge and continue down the winding trail to rocky ledges that lead to a grassy plain.

  • You will continue through a valley that will take you to the Kaapschehoop cemetery and into the village of Kaapschehoop.

Kaapschehoop Hut To The Barretts Coaches

  • When you depart from the Kaapschehoop Hut, you will walk along the edge of the escarpment and reach the Kaapschehoop Lookout Post. If the weather is favourable, you can see as far as Barberton.

  • Continue on the trail through rocky outcrops and a kraal to get to a maze of rocks. It is these famous rock formations that gave the village its original name of the “Devil’s Office”.

  • Follow the trail to the Barretts Coaches.

Kaapschehoop Hut To The Florence Hill Hut

  • After a new section was created on the Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail, the Florence Hill Hut replaced the old Coetzeestroom Hut.

  • You’ll start your hike from the Kaapschehoop Hut and follow the escarpment for this route to the Florence Hill Hut. Expect breathtaking views of the indigenous forests, the De Kaap valley, natural gorges, and historical gold mining structures.

  • You can choose between two routes from the Florence Hill Hideaway: Return to the Kaapschehoop Hut or make your way to the Barretts Coaches along the old Coetzeestroom route.

Florence Hill Hut To The Barretts Coaches

  • Make your way through a plantation and around a gorge until you reach a picnic table where you can admire the views of Florence Hill.

  • There will be a steep ascent and downhill where you will encounter a split towards Kaapschehoop and the Barretts Coach.

  • Remain on the gorge side of the trail for incredible views of the Coetzeestroom gorge. Look for Sappi’s impressive Ngodwana paper mill, the southern hemisphere’s largest paper mill.

  • Cross the tar road and descend into Battery Creek.

  • The trail starts to incline through an indigenous forest, and you can expect a short climb to reach the Barretts Coaches.

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Current Cost To Hike The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail (2025)

The most recent rate to hike the Kaapschehoop Trail is R223 per person per night if you book direct with SAFCOL.

If you book through Ecotrails or Fagalavoet then there is a small markup.

How To Book To Hike The Kaapschehoop Trail

Although you can book to hike Kaapschehoop through various companies, Komatiland Ecotourism (previously SAFCOL) is the central booking point.

You can get in touch with Komatiland Ecotourism at ecotour@klf.co.za or ecotour@safcol.co.za and +27 13 764-2071 or +27 13 754 2724. They will send you a booking form to complete and you will need to pay via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for the trail.

You can also book your hike (and many other South African hiking trails) through Eco Trails SA. Eco Trails are a Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) Member, are a Certified Green Flag Auditor and a member of the Green Flag Trails Expert Group- SA.

Eco Trails charges a nominal additional fee per person per night and will take care of contacting Komatiland Ecotourism for you, obtaining the required permits and sending you all necessary information.

Ensure you get, and complete, an indemnity form from Komatiland/Safcol at the start of your hike.

Getting To The Kaapschehoop Trail

The closest major city to Kaapschehoop is Mbombela, which is roughly 32km from Kaapschehoop. If you plan to fly into the area, the closest airport to Kaapschehoop is the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

How To Reach The Two Starting Points For The Kaapschehoop Trail

If you are driving from Gauteng, continue along the N4 past eNtokozweni or Machadodorp as it was formerly known. Once you drive past the SAPPI Paper Mill, look out for the Ngodwana turnoff on Kaapschehoop Road. You’ll reach the town of Kaapschehoop in about 12km, which is also where you’ll find the Kaapschehoop Hut.

Barretts Coaches: Continue to drive through the town of Kaapschehoop until you see the Berlin Plantation. Take a left onto a gravel road when you see the Berlin Plantation sign. Continue on the gravel road for approximately 6km and follow the signs towards the Barretts Coaches.

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What To Pack For The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail

Are you uncertain about what you should pack for the Kaapschehoop Hike? We’ve put together this helpful list with everything you’ll need for this hiking trail.

  • Backpack, 75ℓ (men) and 55ℓ (women). A 35ℓ will be large enough for a two-day hike.

  • A 1ℓ – 1.5ℓ capacity water bottle or hydration pack

  • A rain cover for your backpack if you’re hiking during the rainy season

  • Sleeping bag

  • Headlamp

  • Pocket knife

None of the kitchens are equipped, so you’ll have to pack the following:

  • Gas
  • Compact camping stove
  • Trail Food Company hiking food and hiking snacks
  • Matches/lighter
  • Small pot
  • Plate and bowl
  • Drinking cup
  • Cutlery
  • Sponge
  • Dishwashing liquid

There are companies that offer equipment rental options for the Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail.

  • Comfortable hiking shoes
  • Flip-flops to rest your feet
  • Hiking shirts (technical gear will dry faster)
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking pants for colder weather
  • A swimming costume if hiking in summer
  • Underwear
  • A rain jacket
  • Hiking socks
  • A hat
  • Sunglasses

  • Plasters

  • Antiseptic cream

  • Sterile gauze

  • Muscle rub

  • Painkillers and anti-inflammatories

  • Tablets to treat nausea

  • Tablets to treat stomach cramps and diarrhoea

  • Vaseline to treat blisters

  • Camping towel

  • Travel Soap/shower gel

  • Deodorant

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Toilet paper

  • Sunscreen

  • Mosquito repellent

How To Pack For The Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail

Whenever embarking on multi-day hikes, there are certain do’s and don’ts to consider when it comes to packing your backpack.

A general rule of thumb is to share the load of necessities with fellow hikers. You can pack one stove, one pot, a gas canister, and a first aid kit and share these items between four hikers.

Check out these helpful tips on how to choose the correct hiking backpack and how to pack your hiking backpack.

Don’t Forget To

Stop in at the village of Kaapschehoop before or after your hike. Enjoy a meal at some of the top restaurants in Kaapschehoop or set out to the ancient ruin site of Adam’s Calendar, a rock structure believed to be a calendar that tracks the movement of the stars. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s also sometimes referred to as the African Stonehenge.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Kaapschehoop Trail:

You can set out on the multi-day Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail, cycle, go horseback riding, and enjoy the museums in the village. There are also ample birding opportunities and a chance to spot the rare Blue Swallow.
Kaapschehoop dates back to the 1880s and was originally known as the “Devil’s Office”. Prospectors and diggers from around the world came to the area in search of gold.
The Barretts Coaches are about 500m from the Berlin Plantation office, and the two trains are one of the overnight accommodations on the Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail.
You’ll find the village of Kaapschehoop in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The area is densely vegetated and has hot weather and plenty of sightseeing opportunities.

Before You Go

Get ready for jaw-dropping views and historical significance as you head out on the Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail. Remember that The Trail Food Company offers shipping across South Africa, so we can help you get your Kaapschehoop hiking meals sorted in a flash. We know you’re going to love this unique hiking experience!

Kaapschehoop Hiking Trail Map

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If  you have an epic hike or trail to share, or if there are any corrections or updates that you would like to suggest to this trail guide, please email

trish(at)trailfood.co.za

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