Wolkberg Info Anyone?

We are investigating Wolkberg hiking. looking to access more remote wilderness areas.
Can't find much in terms of info and Maps.
Has any EV peeps ventured that way at all?

Any chance of putting a Forum page together for Wolkberg info?

This is the best I could find on short internet search. www.sml.co.za/wolkberg.html

See Map attached..
I have a different 50000:1 map in .tiff format but its to big to upload.

Cheers!

Hi bergbees,

There is a lot of info and write ups on Wolkberg hikes on VE. I am not familiar with the Wolkberg at all, but I do recall reading all the write ups over the years. I suggest search Wolkberg in the 'Enhanced by Google' search box on VE home page, and you should find this info.

The Wolkberg wilderness area is without a doubt my favorite hiking spot. I've done a 2-3 day trail from klip draai forest station to the waterfalls, then up serala forest (Wonderwoud) to a campsite beneath serala peak and back to the forest station probably about 12 times. Also done a 3-4 day trail which starts out similarly but goes up Ararat, rather than Serala. Both routes are excellent, but for first time hikers in the area I would recommend the first route.

It is really easy to get lost, especially in misty weather, so be prepared to navigate in low visibility. Unfortunately I do not have a gpx track of the route, but I do have a few waypoints that I can share (for what it's worth, when you enter the forest it becomes a challenge to get a good GPS signal, so you'll have to rely on your own navigation skills). Generally I won't recommend that you go hiking in the area without someone who has hiking experience in the Wolkberg, but with proper planning you should be fine. With my previous hike in December 2019 the trail was reasonably easy to follow, but there are a few places you'll need to know what to look for to find the trail l.

Hiking in the Wolkberg area is a truly magical experience, you won't regret it!

If you can give me an idea of which route you were thinking of I'll be happy to give you more details about the particular route.

What a NooB! I should have looked properly. Thank you.

Thanks PaulineS, let me have a read in the forums and then I will shout out to you for some tips!

Bergbees.

We were just there in October, 4 days. So here's a bit of intel...

Contact for bookings: Johanna Legodi (LEDET) 076 680 4022.
She's efficient and a joy to deal with. But WhatsApp or call, email is a slower process.
Ask for a price list, it's gone up to what I generally see. We paid for 2pax/4nights = R900

For info on Wolkberg talk to Dane at Dizzy, immensely helpful and generous with his time:
www.dizzy.co.za/wolkberg/

Try also The Mountain Company on fb in Haenertsburg.

My views:
It's largely a 'make your own way' scenario. Having gps tracks etc makes it easier at times but you should get a good map (waterproof) and compass too. In the Wonderwoud and other deep ravines yr gps tool may fail. I have the two relevant topographical maps in pdf and tiff format and can email them to you. If you print them out scale might be off though and details could suffer. My neighbour is a pro-photographer so she helped with printing. Alternatively contact the Dept of Rural Development and Land Reform in CT and buy the maps @ R25/each, high detail. ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 021 658 4300) Best if you have a mate in CT to pick up for you, otherwise you'll have to wax a courier as they don't post themselves; but will package at R16extra. Cheap.

If you want wilderness you can find it, but you may also have to trek through some pine plantations which are either fragrant or a scene of devastation dependent on logging at work. I would suggest you head into EN.East and S.East quadrant, see dotted arrows on image. The more regular routes are as those described on VE and pictured below (taken off this site). Info on these are bountiful enough. I should add the there is now a clear cut path leading up to Bumslides from the Mohlapitse, done by LEDET, it works up on the stream's left. The path starts where I've indicated "new fence and gate" and is about 300m further than the older gate that follows the purple track on the image below snaking through pine. It also works it's way up a steep-ish slope to get you to Serala Peak, (between/after Bumslides and blue arrow)

Be prepared to get wet. We were rained on for 4 days straight and so bailed a day early. Many many river crossing so unless you want to remove your boots every 10minutes, cross over, dry your feet and repeat I'd recommend trail-runners or sandals. Just walk through and be done with it. With regards to rain and rivers another reason for us leaving was that the Mohlapitse was basically in spate. We had several more crossings to do that day but could barely cross at the first point, and all else was down stream. Point is have an alternative plan.
I am told August is the best period to hike.

On the Mohlapitse river, see area between red arrows, do not drink the water. This area has been invaded by herdsmen whose cows now defile the habitat. Even several hundred meters up the Wonderwoud stream. Hence the fence going up. LEDET is struggling to control this and many grey areas. Johanna told me she's spent hours and hours having meetings trying to sort it out.

Any more questions if I can I will answer...

Thanks for the info Carl!

I would like to visit the area soon, perhaps during the first week of 2021. Anyone keen to join me?

Carl, Thanks for this detailed post and information!
Much appreciated!!!

Would have liked to join you but we are doing Fangs-Rockeries over New Year, only finishing on the 3rd of January.