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Nature Reserves :
Outeniqua Nature Reserve
Province: Western Cape Cape
Nearest Towns: George
Background
Outeniqua is a reserve of mountain passes and hiking trails. It offers the visitor a tranquil break from the rigours of daily life with a choice of activities from short rambles to more strenuous hiking routes and summit treks. The name Outeniqua is derived from that of the Khoisan tribe, the Attaqua, once resident here. It means "they who bear honey"
The reserve lies between the high rainfall coastal region and the dry Little Karoo. The vegetation of this mountainous area is diverse. The moist southern slopes are pre dominantly covered with mountain fynbos, though wonderful pockets of cool, indige- nous forest also occur in some of the kloofs.
The area is particularly attractive in September and October, when many of the proteas and ericas are in flower. The northern slopes are much drier, and accordingly the vegetation is sparser, blending with hardy, drought-resistant Karoo veld that takes over and runs inland to the horizon.
Ecologically, the mountain serves as a catchment for the entire catchment for the entire coastal region, from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. Geographically, the Outeniqua and Robinson passes split the reserve into three sections: Witfontein, closest to George; the Doring River Wilderness Area, to the west; and the Attakwaskloof, a further little jump to the west again.
Nowadays, the most functional and therefore most travelled of the passes are the Outeniqua Pass, between George and Oudtshoorn, and the Robinson Pass, between Mossel B"y and Oudtshoorn. The least travelled is the original Attakwaskloof Pass, while the most attractive, in its old world way, is the Montagu Pass. The most difficult, however, remains the Cradock Pass, which appears to have been an engi. neering blunder from the very outset. In the early days, colonial expansion was severely hampered by forests so vast and dense, it took several days of painstaking travel to get through them.
To thwart these forests, the logical though often as fraught route, was over the mountain and into the semi-desert of the interior.
But it was elephant herds that paved the way. They, because of their bulk, had long since developed a certain propensity to finding the easiest gradients over high ground.
Later, these paths became familiar to the Khoisan, who in turn introduced them to the colonists, who turned them into passes.
Today the mountain, its footpaths and its defiles, attract hikers, motorists, and, in the case of Attakwaskloof, 4x4 trailists.
The Passes
No less than five cross the reserve's 100 km length. But of these, only the Outeniqua and the Robinson passes are tarred. Their associated trails are also listed below.
Attakwaskloof- Thirty-seven years passed after the Dutch landed at the Cape before the first official expedition was sent to crack the Outeniquas. In 1689, a standard-bearer arrived in the country of Mossel Bay. Khoisan people showed him the
way up. through present Herbertsdale and into the broad Attakwaskloof Valley. The track through the kloof took him four days of hacking and burning. Your journey through the kloof can begin either at the Ruitersbos turn-off, on the R328 from Mossel Bay, or from the inland side of the Robinson Pass, where you will find a sign- posted turn-off to the left.
As a two-day hike (35-40 km), you will overnight at what is known as the Perdekop house, at the foot of the valley. You will need a vehicle at the trail's end. Enthusiasts of the 4x4 will make the journey in a day, though an overnight at Perdekop will be more meaningful. The house can accommodate 10 people in three bedrooms. There is a kitchen with a wood stove, a hot water shower and an outside toilet. Bring every- thing else in the way of personal comforts.
Cradock- The town of George was established in 1811, but it had no access to the Oudtshoorn district. A possible route was soon earmarked right behind the town. Within two months of the following year a track was cleared and a pass declared. It proved to be one of the most dangerous inthe region. And yet it was used for 35 long and mostly grudging years. The white marker stones leading up the foothills to the pass can still be seen today. As can the tracks the wagons scoured as they slid and juddered from the reaches with their brakes full on.
You can walk the route as a day hike (24,8 km; 8 hours). It starts from the reserve entrance and will leave you wondering how anything ever got done.
Another day hike will take you to Cradock Peak (17 km; 6 hours). A trek to the summit of George Peak (8 hours) will reward you with stunning views. Both these routes start at the reserve entrance.
Montagu -Clearly an alternative to the Cradock Pass had to be found. And it was, one kilometre to the west. The new pass started lower down in the valley and made far greater use of contours. Today it is a national monument, but you can drive it in an ordinary car, up alongside the original stonewall, right back into history.
Outeniqua
Sooner or later, every pass is passed up. In 1943, it was the Montagu's turn. Vehicle improvements and an increase in traffic got everyone hankering for some- thing better. And better is what they got. The Outeniqua took abo11t eight years to finish, but was well worth it. Today, a won- derful round-trip to make from George is up the Montagu Pass to Herold village, returning via the Outeniqua. .An interesting little ramble here is the Pass-to-Pass day hike (4,7 km; 3 hours), from the Montagu to the Outeniqua or vice versa. The route takes you through attrac- tive fynbos vegetation.
Robinson -With the growth of Mossel Bay and the growing inadequacy of the Attakwaskloof Pass, farmers and traders in . the Oudtshoorn district had two options: detour via the now excellent Montagu Pass; or stick with an old bridle path near to the route of the present Robinson Pass. Work began in 1866, but was only finished halfway through 1869. It was named after the inspector of roads. The Koumashoek circular day walk (16,5 km; 8 hours):starts in the Robinson Pass. It offers amazing views of the sea and inland to the Swartberg mountains. After these mountain pass routes, there are five other hiking routes to choose from.
Tierkop Trail -This is a 30 km two-day hike in the Witfontein section of the reserve. It starts at the reserve office and takes you up and under the George Peak, and then across to the overnight hut in a saddle below the Tierkop. Facilities here are basic. There is water and there are mattresses, but you should bring all other requirements.
Doring River Wilderness Trail -The trail begins at Waboomskraal on the northern side of the Outeniqua Pass and ends in the Robinson Pass to the west. It is a three-day 50 km-trek with two overnights. You will need a gas cooker and a tent, though one night is spent in an old, stone shepherd's hut. Water is available from the many perenni!ll streams en route.
Doring River circular route -This is a day trail (14 km; 6 hours) that !llso starts at Waboomskraal, 20 km from George. It takes you through the pristine wilderness of the Doring River Valley.
The plantation walks -These vary in length (8-11 km) and start at the reserve entrance, where self-issue permits are available.
The Langasem circular route -This trail (14 km; 5 hours) does not require a permit. It hugs the banks of the Garden Route Dam and takes you through pine plantations interspersed with pockets of indigenous forest and pepsi-coloured rock pools, ideal for a swim on a hot summer's day.
Tips
If you intend hiking the Attakwaskloof, enquire after horseflies. They can be a nuisance at certain times of the year around watercourses
Permits are required for all activities in the Outeniquas and are available at the reserve office. As are maps of all the trails.
There is no pre-trail accommodation in the reserve, but no shortage in George.
Cellphone reception is line-of-sight only.
Getting there
The office is four kilometres outside George on the R29. From the top of York Street (George's main street), head out on the R29 to the signposted turn-off to the right.
Enquiries and bookings .
Tel: 27 44 870 8323/5
Fax: 27 44 870 7138
E-mail: outenr@mweb.co.za
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