High Five Hiking Trail

Our motto: Hike more, worry less…

About

This beautiful High Five Hiking Trail, owners Escarp Adventures, is a 2, 3, 4 or 5-day back backing or slackpacking trail with idyllic and unique accommodations. Depending on your choice of hike 2, 3, 4, or 5 day your can start your hike at either Mount Komati, Candlewood, Pongola Express or Aloe Kaya.

Directions:

Situated 3 hours’ drive northeast of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Just of the N4 between Machadodorp and Badplaas on the R541.

Trails

2. 3, 4 or 5 Day Trails

Depending on at which hut you start your trail will determine the trails that you will be hiking:

Trails:

  • Bergbas Trail; 7.5km – From Pongola Express to Aloe Kaya
  • Escarpment Trail: 6km – From Aloe Kaya to Candlewood
  • Pom Pom Way: 6.3KM – From Candle Falls to Pongola Express
  • Kokoboom: 7km – Pongola Express to Pongola Express
  • Mount Komati to Candlewood
  • Aloe Kaya to Mount Komati

The above mentioned trails offer hiking a variety of streams, waterfalls, gorges, valleys, savannah and an abundance of wildlife to be seen. A moderate and above fitness level is required for these hikes.

Accommodation

Each of the hiking camps is a unique, beautiful and a comfortable experience. You will have to forget any romantic notions you might have as all facilities are shared. All the camps have indoor and outdoor braai areas and hot water.

Pongola Express Camp:

This camp is renovated 1954 railway coaches. It’s like sleeping in an antique coach.

  • Sleeps 20 – 22
  • New mattresses
  • Old train coach – refurbished and beautiful
  • 4 Compartments with 4 beds each
  • 2 Compartments with 2 beds each
  • Electricity
  • 2 showers
  • 1 bath
  • 4 toilets
  • Electricity in kitchen and electrical lights in compartments
  • Stove, fridge and freezer
  • Fully equipped kitchen with cutlery and crockery
  • Big porch and place to braai

Aloe Kaya:

Two double story huts snuggled into the spectacular sandstone formations.

  • Sleeps 24
  • 2 Double story wooden house sleeping 6 each
  • Mattresses
  • Electricity
  • Fully equipped kitchen with a 2- plate gas stove
  • Long table in kitchen for great ‘kuiers’
  • Pots/Pans cutlery and crockery
  • 2 Inside showers and flush toilets
  • 4 outside showers with electricity/geyser
  • 2 outside toilets overlooking the valleys – loos with a view
  • Inside and outside braai

Candlewood Camp:

Spectacular views across the escarpment. There are four rooms with bunk beds and a cosy kitchen. This green camp has a wonderful view of Uitkomst Waterfall.. There are two huts that each sleeps 10 people in bunk beds. No outdoor braai between May and October due to fire danger. There is a gas stove plate, and lanterns are provided.

  • Sleeps 20
  • 2 Wooden huts
  • Mattresses
  • NO ELECTRICITY
  • 4 Showers (Donkey) and/or Gas – Hot water
  • 4 Toilets
  • Fully equipped kitchen, cutlery and crockery. NO HOT WATER IN KITCHEN
  • 2 Plate gas stove
  • NO FRIDGE

Mount Komati Camp:

Communal braai, lounge & fully equipped kitchen facilities:

  • Electricity
  • 2 Fridges and a Chest Freezer
  • Stove/oven
  • Microwave
  • Informal lounge area with inside fire place, dining room which makes for an excellent place to spend cold evening in front of the fire place
  • There’s an outside braai area & also an African Style boma, “Die Bosvark”, for “lekkerkuiers”.

Mojaji Hut: Sleeps 4 Persons Max

  • Private en suite hut for 2-4 persons only.
  • 2 x Bunk beds with fitted sheets – no bedding, bring own.
  • Own private bathroom with shower, toilet & basin.

2 x “Hiker’s Huts” (Wildebees & Idube):

  • WILDEBEES HUT – sleeps 6 persons. 3 x bunk beds with fitted sheets – no bedding
  • IDUBE HUT: – sleeps 6 persons. 3 x bunk beds with fitted sheets – no bedding Share an ablution block: Electric geezers with hot & cold water showers, flush toilets, hand basins.

Tarentaal Chalet: Sleeps 4 persons

  • Separate with own amenities. Fully equipped:
  • 1 Private bedroom (double bed, linen & towels included, bring own towels for the river)
  • Own private bathroom with shower, toilet & basin.
  • In the lounge are 2 extra single beds. Dining room.
  • Kitchen with all cutlery & crockery, appliances, cooking utensils, oven & microwave.
  • Wooden deck overlooking the garden, river and mountains.
  • Extra mattresses can be put in lounge / on loft.
  • Communal braai facilities.
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Price Available On Request

Contact 082 663 6168 or 064 523 1807
Email info@ecotrail.co.za

Disclaimer

All information adapted with permission of owner

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