Hoerikwaggo Trail

The Hoerikwaggo Trail (2, 3 & 4 day trails)

In conjunction with "Your Cape Town Host", Mountain Africa is proud to offer you the opportunity to hike the Hoerikwaggo Trail. We are professional mountain guiding companies with a wealth of experience in guiding and slackpacking hikes. We can offer various options for the Hoerikwaggo Trail, from a fully catered ‘slackpacking’ option to guiding support for a backpacking option, each tailored to your individual needs.

The Hoerikwaggo Trail is set out on a designated path between Cape Point and Table Mountain and can be walked over a period of 5 days and 4 nights. Officially it is an unguided trail, with markers at certain strategic intersections along the way. Generally the path is clear, but there are no continuous markers and there are points where the wrong path could be followed, particular in misty or rainy weather conditions.

The paths follow a varied terrain, from easy beach walking to steep mountain terrain and contour paths. There are both steep ascents and descents in several places along the way and some of the paths follow routes with mild vertical exposure.

Accommodation is provided in four tented camps, set out at Smitswinkel Bay, Slangkop Lighthouse, Silvermine, and Orangekloof. There is no access to the path between Smitswinkel Bay and Simonstown and hikers have to arrange transport between these two points.

It is also possible to break the trail up in to sections of 2 days / 1 night; 3 days / 2nights or 4 days / 3 nights

It is not recommended that hikers, who are unfamiliar with the Table Mountain chain, follow the route without the assistance of someone with knowledge of the route, or alternatively a professionally qualified Table Mountain Guide.

Option 1:

Full backpack option.
If you book the accommodation yourself and want to carry your backpack for the full duration of the hike, we can quote for providing a qualified mountain guide to accompany you. The tented camps are rented in units of two. One guide can be responsible for up to six people and provision needs to be made for accommodation for the guide(s). The tented camps take up to 12 people. Silvermine and Orangekloof have 4 x 2 sleeper tents and 1 x 4 sleeper tents. The others have 6 x 2 sleeper tents. The tents have comfortable beds with mattresses but you have to provide your own sleeping bags.

Extras (not included but can be quoted for separately):

1. Assistance with compilation of menus and purchase of food items prior to arrival.
2. Transport to the start and collection at the finish
3. Transport on day 2 from Smitswinkel to Simonstown
4. Booking of the accommodation (10% administration charge)

Option 2:

Semi-catered option ‘slackpacker’ option

For this option we will book the accommodation, provide a guide, assist with the compilation of menus & purchase of food items, provide transport of main luggage and food to the overnight venues and provide transport of hikers from a central location to the start.

Accommodation:

Note that units can only be booked in units of two & provision must be made for the accommodation for the guide. Hikers would need to provide their own sleeping bags / bedding.
If the booking is made for you a 10% service fee is added.

Guiding:

Our guides are all qualified mountain guides with experience of the route and general mountain conditions. A maximum of 6 hikers per guide

Menu planning and food purchase:

Menus and meal arrangements are agreed prior to final booking.
Food preparation, washing up, packing up of food and leaving the venue in clean condition is done by the group with assistance from the guide.

Transport of main luggage and food:

Pick up of food and luggage from overnight accommodation between 8 and 9 a.m. each day and delivery to the next overnight venue. This includes pick up from the start and delivery to an agreed point after the finish

Transport of hikers to the start:

Secure parking is provided at the Platteklip Wash Houses, on the slopes of Table Mountain and close to the city. Self-drive hikers can park here or be dropped off here for transport to the start. At the end of the hike it is possible to walk back to this venue.

Extras (not included but can be quoted separately):

Purchase of any additional food / drink items during the tour
Ice or making sure drinks are cooled
Transport from accommodation to meeting point at the Platteklip Wash House and visa versa.
Collection from the end at the cable station to the Platteklip Wash House

Option 3:

Fully catered option:

An individual quote will be prepared based on the number of people and the number of nights.
For this option all accommodation, bedding, catering, guiding, luggage transfer and transport from the central point at the Platteklip Wash House to the start is included, as well as collection from the lower cable station and transfer back to the meeting point.

Cleaning and clearing after meals, is provided, as well as ensuring ice is available and drinks are cold. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Extras (not included but can be quoted for separately):

Collection from accommodation and transfer to the meeting point at the Platteklip Wash Houses
Organisation and purchase of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beers, or soft drinks
Read what South African National Parks has to say about the Horiekwaggo Trail South Africa National Parks >>>

The following dates are available for the Hoerikwaggo Trail:

24 - 28 September 2012
19 - 23 November 2012
7 - 11 January 2013
25 - 29 March 2013

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