[ Trail Description ] [ Environment ] [ Accommodation Facilities ] [ Trail Facilities ]
[ Difficulty Grading ] [ Maps ] [ Photos ] [ Reservations ]

Classification A two-day clover leaf self guided and self catering trail (carry day-pack only)	Environment: pristine Accommodation: Excellent
Download the brochure for this trail (PDF, 2.5 MB)	Difficulty Rating:Moderate to difficult

Basic Trail Description

Five Assegais is situated 275km from Johannesburg and 250km from Pretoria on the lip of the escarpment overlooking the Komati Valley between Machadodorp and Badplaas.

Day 1 - The escarpment trail
This whole day 13.3km trail is a moderately difficult self guided trail. The trail starts at the Sandstone overnight camp, crosses over easy terrain for 4km then descends into the Bankspruit canyon to the foot of the Brides Leap Waterfall, the second highest in Mpumalanga. It follows the spruit past pools and rapids passing through beautiful indigenous forests and a big old Pedi kraal, ascending 300m to the unique sandstone maze that is called the Skurwerand.

Day 2 - The Hells Bells Trail
From the Sandstone camp one descends the magnificent Hell's Kloof. An 8.3km hike through sections of one of the most pristine yellow wood forests in the Skurweberg area, filled with bird life, passing 2 high waterfalls and secret special places before dropping 400 meters through a kaleidoscope of terrain down to the Fish Eagle dam. From here you return along a moderately difficult assent back to base.

Accommodation and facilities. God's Window Camp
These overnight huts are double storey wooden and glass fantasy huts build amongst sandstone rock that make this pace so unique. Each hut accommodates a maximum of 12 hikers on bunk beds and is equiped with a fridge, gas stove, sink, cutlery, pots and pans and with a braai area. The camp is electified with a common ladies ablution block with 3 showers and 2 loo's. There are 4 outdoor showers in a rock guley and 2 loo's with a view. A seperate braai area overlooks the Hell's Kloof. A safe parking area is at the camp.