The Rameron Pigeon

 hiking Trail

 Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve

The Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve is found around 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town between the towns of Vanrhnsdorp and Nieuwoudtville. The Rameron Pigeon Trail is just one of the multi day hikes found here, and believe me, if you enjoy hiking this is a wonderful hike. Be warned however, don’t take someone who is not fit or who has never hiked before. This is a tough trail. Each day a number of surprises await, you may have to squeeze through a narrow gap between rocks, lower yourself down a chain, locate and clamber down a ladder, cross a river……..the list is endless. Crawling on all fours with a full pack on your back becomes quite normal. The trail is well marked by cairns  some extremely large. Somehow I imagine the people who designed this trail really enjoyed themselves!!

The trail leads through many narrow gaps

The trail leads through many narrow gaps

We followed this gap for a few hundred metres

We followed this gap for a few hundred metres

One of the many ladders to negotiate
One of the many ladders to negotiate

 

Of course this being a South African hiking trail the panoramic views are breathtaking whilst the natural beauty and solitude of the area make this an absolute world class trail. Historically there is also lots to see, from San paintings to stone houses, graves and stone traps left by the early settlers.

A beautiful spot for lunch

A beautiful spot for lunch

A view of the Knersvlakte

A view of the Knersvlakte

View of the Oorlogskloof gorge

View of the Oorlogskloof gorge

To sum up, I would describe the Rameron Pigeon Trail as one of the best I have done.