South Africa – Mountain climbing at Salmonsdam Close to Stanford Western Cape
Salmonsdam Nature Reserve, run by Cape Nature, is a small nature reserve not removed from Stanford within the Western Cape in South Africa. There are three mountaineering trails out there.
The longest is a Mountain Path from the foot of the Perdeberg mountain and on the prime they are saying that there is a view over Walker Bay (that is for positive, as you possibly can see Walker Bay from just about any level within the reserve), and the nation cities of Caledon and Bredasdorp. The second path is the 4km Ravine Path by Keeromskloof and thru small patches of indigenous forest. The ultimate path is the Waterfall Path of about 3km by thick fynbos right down to the falls and again. All three trails have brief hyperlinks so skilled and match hikers may sort out all three in a day.
As a far too heavy 62 yr outdated on a extreme food regimen that features a minimum of an hours strolling or biokinetics a day, the logical factor to do after 10 weeks of the regime was to do a little bit of mountaineering, so we set off one lovely Saturday morning to Salmonsdam.
We did a part of the ravine path however turned again the place it joins the mountain path. The piece we did do was pretty straightforward however the subsequent stage appeared pretty tough, though most likely not tough in any respect for skilled hikers. The truth that Salmonsdam mountaineering routes do not function strongly on mountaineering and associated websites confirms that assumption. I feel if I might had a strolling stick I might have gone additional. So we’ll should again at some stage.
There are very fundamental amenities at Salmonsdam Nature Reserve for in a single day tenting together with just a few small chalets. There may be an ablution block and 10 tenting websites.
Across the South east fringe of the reserve is a “mountain drive”: which leads far up into the Perdeberg and meets up with the Mountain path. I used to be anticipating to have the ability to drive to the highest in an abnormal motorized vehicle (a Mercedes C-class) however it appears that evidently solely 4X4 automobiles or maybe even 4X2 LUV’s will be capable of attain the summit with any ease.
Flora and Fauna is diverse and the reserve is an effective instance of a mountain catchment space. We spent a whole morning within the reserve and totally loved the expertise. It is usually used as a coaching website for varsity kids due to the catchment space is so simply seen. Baboons and different small mammals are sometimes seen within the reserve. We noticed indicators of the baboons feasting on freshly open Protea flowers and likewise flowers from a Protea that flowers slightly below the floor.
Salmonsdam was named after Captain Robert Salmond of HMS Birkenhead which sank just some brief miles from Salmonsdam on twenty sixth February 1852 when round 450 sailors and troopers misplaced their lives. from that tragic occasion got here the now well-known name of “Ladies and Youngsters First’ and the “Birkenhed Drill”
Getting There.
From Cape City go to Hermanus on the N2 and R43 after which to Stanford on the R43. As you enter Stanford flip left onto the Caledon Street (R326). From the intersection go 4.4km till you attain the “Papiesvlei, Elim” turnoff to your proper. From right here on the roads are gravel. the street situation just isn’t good and warning needs to be exercised. Journey approx 6km on this gravel street after which flip left on the Salmonsdam turnoff. Journey for approx 3.5 kms. You’ll go the doorway to a property known as Beloftebos and 1.5 km from there you’ll attain Salmonsdam Nature Reserve.
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