Olifantspoot Trail

The Olifantspoot trail exposes you to the Karoo portion of Kleinrivier, and it does so in a most spectacular way.

To reach the start of this trail, take the first turnoff to the left after the entrance gate. Then follow the jeep track according to the “olifantspoot” signs until you reach a parking spot. Start your hike from here. This is a circular trail and, following the signs and yellow leopard tracks, you will find yourself back at the starting point after 6 km. You wil need to carry water and might find it uncomfortably hot in summer, so better done early mornings on hot days.

The trail traverses the koedoe krans in a diagonal way, from the bottom left (west) to the top right (east). This is a very gradual incline with a few very short steeper climbs. You will need to watch your footing so as not to lose your balance to the right and fall down the steep hillside. Do a slow relaxed walk, stop often, appreciate the view unfolding to your right, but also notice the interesting flora directly adjacent to the trail. This is made up of spekboom, kerkei, olifantspoot, bobbejaansnoors and many other thorny shrubs and stunted trees.

Reaching the top of the “Krans”, turn right and follow the yellow painted leopard tracks and signs up to the 4x4 track. You can now opt out of the trail by following the 4x4 track to the right until you reach the office. Otherwise stay on the trail by crossing the 4x4 track and continue on a downward slope until reaching a dry kloof. Follow the tracks in and out of the dry riverbed. Concentrate on the yellow leopard footprints and don’t get confused by the numerous game paths crisscrossing the trail. This part of the trail provides quite a bit of shade. When you reach the game fence the trail makes a U-turn around a rocky outcrop, and then joins the purple marked cycle trail for a short bit, crossing the river over a wooden bridge. After the river crossing and up a steep slope, is a sign directing you to the right. Follow the leopard prints and signage all the way back, crossing the 4x4 track and the Kleinrivier river further on, until you are back at the starting point.