Hennops Hiking Trails
In the heart of busy Gauteng, virtually on the doorstep of both Johannesburg and Pretoria, hikers can now experience one of the few unspoiled nature areas at Hennops Hiking Trail.
Hennops Trails is located 30km from Pretoria and Fourways on Road R511 to Hartbeespoort Dam. This unspoiled family farm is in a truly tranquil setting and its natural beauty includes the Hennops river flowing through a valley bordered by mountain ranges to the north and south.
The Hennops hiking trail consists of 4 trails setting out from Hadeda Camp. At the beginning and end of the trails meanders along the Hennops River before veering away into the surrounding mountains.
Two unique features on the trail are the river crossings – 2 suspension bridges and a cable car. There are interesting historical sites along the trail, amongst others an old field (veld) hospital used in the Anglo Boer war. Aspiring historians will enjoy seeing an underground cave where “Pruimpie” lived, traces of old settlements and the old dolomite mines and the ovens in which the rocks were heated to melt and extract the lime.
The indigenous trees along the river, the gorges and plateau areas makes this an outstanding area for bird life.
4 Trails at Hennops Hiking Trail
Zebra Trail
Distance: 5km
Duration: 2 hours
Degree of difficulty: Easy – Average
Elevation gain: 110m
River crossing: Cable car/Suspension bridge (Long Tom’s bridge)
Points of interest: Bokmakieries Bos, Oude Muragie, Dassie caves
A variety of game can be viewed on this trail namely Zebra, Gnu, Impala, Blesbok, Kudu & Zonkie
Krokodilberg Trail
Distance: 10km
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Degree of difficulty: Average – Difficult
Elevation gain: 400m
River crossing: Suspension bridge (Oupa’s Bridge), cable car
Points of interest: Hospital cave, Pruimpie se gat, view points, stone mount’s, Dolomite mines, Kalkoond, Dassie caves
Not recommended for children under 12 or unfit adults. Small game as well as Kudu and Eland can be viewed on this trail
Dassie Trail
Distance: 2.5km
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Degree of difficulty: Easy – Average
Elevation gain: 70m
River crossing: Suspension bridge (Oupa’s bridge), Cable car
Points of interest: Hospital cave, Pruimpie se gat, dassie caves
This trail offers parents the opportunity to introduce their children to hiking. It follows the same route as Krokodilberg to start but returns at no. 6 (Pruimpie se gat) to the cable car on the “escape route”
