Vaalkop Peak (far left) from the 9th Hole on Pearl Valley Golf Estate
Link to detailed route page and map click on route title to access the map [route-snippet id=”717″ featured=”image”]At sunset the ridge opposite from where we live turns golden in the evening light. This area calls out to us to explore it, especially as we had accessed the Paarl end from the farm of some friends we were staying at when we moved back down here and wanted to look at hiking options from on our doorstep
So last year on a couple of occasions we had explored various off-trail options of climbing up to the ridge from the old forestry tracks in the area opposite Pearl Valley – all to no avail. Then last Christmas we were chatting to a friend and he mentioned that dirt trail bikes had cut a faint path up to a saddle from the corner of the last switchback and from there it was easy to access the area. In quick order we went and explored, including a lovely walk up there on my Birthday.
‘Pagoda Protea’ (Mimetes) seen on my birthday 2016
This trail has now become much more established and is far easier to follow. Essentially we hike up the switchbacks to get to the cut off trail and take this to a saddle in the ridge line. The path then leads to a network of old logging trails (pine forests long since gone) one of which parallels the ridge. It is very easy to hike along the trails as they are in good shape (not too rocky) and off trail excursions to the small peaks are very feasible. The only tricky section is the initial cut off trail which goes straight up the slope for about 80m (in height) and has been eroded by the bikes.
One of the best things about this hike is that I can see the ridge line and summits from many places in Pearl Valley and it is lovely to know that I have been up there and walked the full length.
So when a friend (Paul) who has been visiting the valley on and off for the last 3 years was looking for a new hike to do we suggested we would show him this trail with the objective of getting to the far Peak in the range (Vaalkop Peak).
We had a perfect day for hiking, very good visibility lots of spring bulbs in bloom with some early flowering proteas as well. Temperatures were warm but not stifling and we had a gentle breeze. Can’t get much better. Sitting on the Peak having our lunch (cheese sarnies courtesy of Paul) we saw 4 large birds of prey (Booted Eagles) soaring in the thermals. Mike tried to throw some cheese for them to catch, one did swoop down for it but missed. Mike’s next throw went sky high – definitely not one for the cricket team these days!
Enjoy the photos of the flowers we saw.
