Photo of Mike on Scherpenheuwel Ridge
Link to detailed route page and map click on route title [route-snippet id=”131″ featured=”image”]We decided today to do the circuit in the opposite direction to our normal route and check out the MTB path. The trail has a more gradual climb up than going clockwise and the ‘higher’ path up to the col is great for hiking as a much smoother surface (less sharp stones) than some of the lower trails we have taken in the past.
There was a lot of water coming down off the mountain and a lovely waterfall where we had a short break. I am not sure if the water flows all summer off the mountain.
We decided to explore a spur trail when we reached the saddle / col after fortifying ourselves with some lunch under the welcome shade of a pine tree close to the path. This trail is not maintained and in places very tricky where there has been some erosion. However, for the adventurous it is worth doing as it takes you to a lovely ridge line with great views.
View of ridge from saddle
Once back on the regular path we noticed a lot of work has been done recently to improve it (cut back overgrowing vegetation/branches and repair the path where it had been eroded and was previously a little dangerous) which made walking along it a real pleasure. We also found a more direct route back to the entrance gate which shortened the hike by a couple of km (a beer at Tuk Tuk in Franschhoek was calling!)
On reflection both of us think that this is a nicer way round to do the circuit than clockwise mainly because the up is less brutal.
Please click on the play button to see some pictures from our hike
