SANParks.org Forums

Hi There

1. I last did the Rhebok Trail in 1990 (suffered all the way, but will not forget the great experience !) and will be back to do it again in August. Has anybody got any recent experiences - good or bad - to share about the route, state of accommodation, etc ?

2. My SO has a thing for steep routes and is rather worried about the chain ladder route up the buttress having previously turned back at this point - is it possible to access the top of the Brandwag from an alternative route (not sure of the trail name, but I am thinking of the obvious trail which starts at the road directly opposite the main hotel).

Thanks in advance !

Am very interested in doing the Rhebok, though have not done it before.

The route from the hotel up Brandwag isn't too taxing. My SO wasn't too keen on the chain section coming from the Glen Reenen side, but she managed it. We came down the other side, ending up near the hotel. Its really not bad from that side.

To answer my own questions above:

- Top of the Brandwag can be accessed from the trail which starts immediately opposite the Brandwag Hotel. This provides an alternative for those wishing to avoid the steep "chainladder" section, although only really necessary for those with extreme vertigo.
- Trail is well marked on day one and most of day two. This said, SANPARKS how about some work on touching up the markings which are really beginning to fade in many places, esp. day 2 ?
- At about 4.5Km on day two (just after "inbreek") and just after following a steep slope next to some short cliffs, a flattish area with grassless patches is reached where the trail is easily missed. To make matters worse a false and very well defined path leads down left to the river bed (perhaps from extensive people following the wrong route). The correct trail is however fairly easy to spot if one sticks to the gentler grassland and moves slightly upslope to the right. Getting lost here could be easy in mist and less easy to find a way out of.
- Overnight hut was clean on arrival, with braai grid and ample fire wood provided. A donkey-boiler is available for the shower and it is well worth the effort to build the fire for a well deserved hot shower later on. Takes about 1 to 2 hours to reach a good temperature. There is also an old cast iron stove in the kitchen which can also be fired up and really warms the place up nicely. There were only five mattresses on the beds, the rest had wooden boards or just exposed springs. Not sure if this intentional from Sanparks' side (we had five in our group) or just a case of things not being maintained ?
- Overall had a fantastic, but strenous, outing - highly recommended.