Magoebaskloof, Seepsteen Mule Hiking Trail - 5 night (with slackpacking option)

6 days

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Magoebaskloof, Seepsteen Mule Hiking Trail - 5 night (with slackpacking option)
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

The trails are laid out on the forestry estate, but most of the walking is through magnificent sub-tropical, indigenous forest, over craggy ravines and alongside cascading waterfalls, pristine mountain streams, rivers and dams.

The summers can be misty and rainy (rainfall occurs mainly between October and March) but be prepared for rain at any time of the year. Temperatures range from 15.3°C to 19.2°C with higher temperatures in the lower-lying areas.

The trail is free from malaria and cholera.

About
  • Overnight accommodation at the specified huts
  • Hiking trails
  • Food and drinks
  • Items of a personal nature
  • To Woodbush Hut. 
  • From Gauteng, take the N1 North towards Polokwane (Pietersburg). Turn off at the R71 to
    Tzaneen and drive for about 70km. Follow the signposts to the Woodbush Plantation. Turn left from the R71 onto a gravel road (also marked Houtbosdorp). The signpost says: Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail (Woodbush Entrance). Follow the signpost to the Woodbush Hut.
  • Park at Woodbush Hut and hike 1.5 km to Seepsteen Mule Stables Hut.

  • Seepsteen Mule Stables Hut. This hut has 16 bunks, one toilet and two cold showers. Braai facilities are available.
  • Waterfall Hut. This hut has 16 bunks, two showers (no hot water) and two toilets. There is an undercover braai area.
  • Dokolewa Pools Hut. This hut has 16 bunk beds, two showers (no hot water) and two toilets. There is an undercover braai area.
  • De Hoek Hut. This hut has 24 bunk beds, two showers, one toilet, hot water and electricity. Braai facilities are available.

  • You will need to be fairly fit to complete the six-day route.
  • Notice boards and symbol signs on Safcol/ Komatiland property must be obeyed.
  • Vehicles may be left only at points indicated on the map as parking areas and are left at own risk.
  • You may start your hiking tour only at an official starting point and may stay overnight only in overnight spots provided for this purpose.
  • No reservation will be accepted for either hut if the party does not intend to use the trail.
  • A hiker may use only one mattress and one sleeping bunk in a hut.
  • Hiking is allowed only in the direction indicated on the map.
  • No pets, riding or pack animal is allowed on hiking trails.
  • No hiker may deviate from the marked route, even though it could differ from that indicated on the map.
  • No litter, refuse or empty containers shall be discarded on MTO property. Please make use of the refuse containers specifically provided for this purpose.
  • Plants, trees, rocks or works along the hiking trail must not be tampered with or damage by carving, scratching or marking. Wildlife and vegetation may not be disturbed or removed.
  • Any hiker must leave the hiking trail and overnight spot in an orderly condition.
  • Any hiker uses a hiking trail and facilities at his/her own risk.
  • The use of fires is prohibited, except in places specifically provided for this purpose. PLEASE NOTE: Fires in designated fire-places may be prohibited by Safcol/Komatiland for specified periods. Fires may not be left unattended and must be extinguished after use.
  • Any hiker shall be liable for any damage to farm and forest products and other property along the route of the hiking trail that may be caused by fire or otherwise a result of any act on the hiker’s part.
  • Safcol/Komatiland may, as it thinks fit, cancel a hiking trip at short notice: Provided that Safcol/Komatiland is not liable for any compensation, with exclusion of money paid for reservations in respect of any loss or inconveniences allegedly suffered by a hiker as result of such cancellation.
  • Should a hiker for any reason find himself/ herself in difficulty and call for help or should someone else on his/her behalf call for help, he/she or his /her parents/guardians (in case of a minor) or estates will be held responsible for the cost involved in providing the help.
  • Mechanical vehicles/ power bikes of any description are strictly prohibited on Safcol/Komatiland properties
  • All jeep-tracks on the trails have been constructed for management purposes and are strictly closed to the public, except for walking.
  • Report wild fires to 0860 NO FIRE
  • Emergency team can be reached at :
  • Chantelle 083 677 0904
  • James 082 299 9919
  • Johan 076 0639 676
  • Chris 082 907 9305

General

  • Receipt and route map
  • Sleeping bag, waterproof cover & pillow
  • Torch & new batteries
  • Candles & matches
  • Water bottles
  • Pocket knives
  • Plate, mug & utensils
  • Gas stove, firelighters
  • Tin opener
  • Dishcloth
  • Plastic rubbish bags
  • Nylon string/wire
  • Pencil & paper
  • Dishwashing liquid (bio–degradable)
  • Cellphone (but don't rely on getting a signal)

Food/Drinks

  • Salt, sugar, powdered milk, coffee, tea bags, coffee creamer
  • Breakfast cereal (Oatsoeasy is ideal), rusks
  • Cheese wedges, salami
  • Instant soup
  • Dehydrated vegetables, instant potatoes (smash), toppers
  • Tinned fish, meat, sausages, dehydrated meat stew
  • Biltong, dried sausage, dried fruits
  • Nuts and raisins, glucose sweets, chocolates, energy bars
  • Powdered coldrinks
  • Fresh fruit
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Bread and meat can be taken for the first day.
  • Optional: sun glasses, camera, compass, whistle, binoculars, national tree list

Clothing

  • Walking/hiking boots (extra laces)
  • Thick wool and cotton socks
  • Long and short trousers
  • Track-suit
  • Underwear, sunhat
  • Jersey or windbreaker
  • Bathing suit
  • Rain gear, gloves, tissues (a rainproof jacket & trousers or a poncho with a hood)

Toiletries & Medicines

  • Soap, toothbrush, hairbrush
  • Shampoo & shaving equipment
  • Toilet paper (1 toilet spade per group)
  • Small towel, face cloth
  • Sunscreen, crepe bandages
  • Eye drops, elastoplasts, mercurochrome, pain tablets
  • Preparation for sore muscles (e.g. Fastum gel, Voltarin gel)
  • Salt tablets (fruit salts)
  • Antiseptic cream for blisters
  • Mentholated spirits for blisters
  • Needle, thread, safety-pins
  • Insect repellent (those that contain Deet are best)
  • Painkillers

Hints

  • Keep all clothing and food in plastic bags to protect it from rain.
  • The weight of the backpack should not exceed 1/3 of the weight of the hiker.
  • The best backpacks will have padded shoulder straps and a belt to distribute the weight evenly on your hips.
  • Vacuum packed meat lasts about 2 days.
  • Take enough water bottles, especially in summer. Fill them before leaving a water point.

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1:Park at Woodbush, hike to Seepsteen Mule Hut

From the Woodbush Hut, walk 1.5km, across the parking area, past the little cement dam on your right, through the pine plantation, to the Seepsteen Stables Hut.

Day 2: Seepsteen Hut to Waterfall Hut - 13.8 km

With the Seepsteen Mule Stables Hut behind you, start hiking from your left.

Continue through plantations of pine and bluegum to the O’Connor Memorial.

Cross the main plantation road, continue through giant eucalyptus grandis and on through a pine plantation.

A rather steep climb takes you through an indigenous forest, crossing various plantation roads and streams, to another pine plantation.

Continue through stately old oak trees to reach the Dap Naude picnic area where you can take a well-deserved rest before facing the last steep climb past the Dap Naude dam wall. (In thick mist, you are very likely to come across a bush pig among the oaks, provided you tread softly)

Continue your ascent along the dam.

Cross several small streams and continue through a pine plantation until you reach the plantation road.

The trail then descends almost to the point of the dam.

Take a left turn and a short walk to the Waterfall Hut.

Day 3: Waterfall Hut to Dokolewa Pools Hut - 18 km

Start behind the Waterfall Camp, past the waterfall, up the hill to the plantation road.

After a while, the trails curves to the right through sections of indigenous and pine plantations.

Walk between oak trees before crossing the plantation road.

You come to large, slanting rocks that must be negotiated very carefully, using the chains that are provided for support. (The stunning view over the Grootbosch makes the effort well worthwhile.)

Continue through an indigenous forest crossing various streams.

Carry on along the plantation road, through sections of pine trees.

Walk along the banks of the Dokolewa stream until the Dokolewa Pools Hut can be seen. (Tree ferns can be found all along this section.)

Cross the wooden bridge that leads to the Dokolewa Pools Hut.

Day 4: Dokolewa Pools to Seepsteen Mule Hut - 9 km

From the Dokolewa Pools Hut, cross the wooden bridge and continue all along the stream.

Cross various streams by means of wooden bridges. (Steps have been placed on the inclines for your convenience.)

Continue through sections of Helsche indigenous forest and pine plantations.

Cross the Forest Drive plantation road as you continue climbing.

You come to a T-junction with a signpost showing left to the Seepsteen Stables Hut and right to the Woodbush Hut.

Turn left to the Seepsteen Stables Hut.

Take a leisurely walk for about 1km to the Seepsteen Stables Hut.

Day 5: Seepsteen Mule Hut to De Hoek Hut - 12 km
Day 6: De Hoek Hut to Woodbush Hut - 9 km

Start behind the De Hoek Hut.

Cross two gravel roads and continue on the trail as it slants down towards the Dokolewa Pools Hut.

At the third gravel road, turn left to the Dokolewa Pools Hut.

Walk past the lapa at the Dokolewa Pools Hut, over the veranda.

Turn right and cross over the wooden bridge.

The winding trail goes all along the Dokolewa stream. Cross the stream at various places by means of wooden bridges. (Steps have been placed on the inclines for your convenience.)

Continue through sections of Helsche indigenous forest and pine plantations.

Cross the Forest Drive plantation road as you continue climbing.

You come to a T-junction with a signpost showing left to the Seepsteen Stables Hut and right to the Woodbush Hut.

Turn right and take the last uphill towards the Woodbush Hut.

Pass the little cement dam to the Woodbush Hut on your left.

Location
Things to keep in mind
  • Full cancellation terms (specific to availability, date of travel, group size, etc.) will be sent with the quote.
  • Please ensure to check these before confirming your booking.
  • Seepsteen Mule 5 night trail total distance 61.2km
  • Difficulty Grading - Difficult