FRANSCHHOEK: BERG RIVER DAM LOOP
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April 2021
Park at the Robertsvlei entrance, outside of the gate and remember to pay for your permit (snapscan is the easiest option, with barcodes posted on numerous signs along the route). Parking inside the gate can be a problem if you plan on arriving back after 5pm, as your car will now be stuck inside! From the gate follow the dirt road towards the dam, and stay on the road as its winds to the left hand side of the dam. After roughly 3km of walking you will see a bridge on the right. Cross over the bridge, follow the path as its turns left and stay on the same path as you go past the sign for the Snake Alley trail. The path then turns 180° and the dam will now be on your right hand side.
Follow the trail as it undulates up and down for the next 4-5km, before you get to the corner of the dam. The trail gets a little sketchy here, we had to improvise and cross over the stream to get to the trail on the other side. There aren’t any signs for this route unfortunately, so use common sense and you will be fine (you are walking around the dam after all, it cant be that hard to get lost). Once across the stream the trail is easy to follow and it takes you all the way to the dam wall.
The trail then passes the dam wall, and after a few hundred meters take the turn to your right. You want to make your way across to the road that is visible in the distance which will take you in the direction of your car. Once you have made it to the road, crossing over a stream or two, cross over the road and stick on the dirt trail which turns right. You will be able to see the dam wall in front of you, to your right. Follow the path as it makes its way in the direction of your car/start. There is one point where the trail splits, and with no sign to guide us, we decided to turn right and head in the direction of the water rather than going uphill. Fortunately we made the right choice, as our weary legs weren’t keen on an uphill battle.
Stay on the trail, and enjoy the views of the dam and Hottentots Holland mountains in the distance. After a few km’s you will come across a parking area and gate, which you will walk through and follow the dirt road for the next 1.5km back to your car. Look for some houses on the right and you should be able to locate your car, or parking area in the distance. Once you have finished, and recovered, be sure to head into Franschhoek town for a coffee or well earned breakfast/lunch!
Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 3 – 5 hours depending on your fitness levels.
- DISTANCE: ±18 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 5/10
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 3/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: R50.
- DISTANCE FROM CAPE TOWN: ± 65 km
- AMENITIES: No Toilets or shops at entry.
- SAFETY: 8/10 Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike.
- SCENERY: 8/10
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*Price includes fit activity + Chilled Adventure Day, per person for a group of 6. Please contact us for a quote.
FRANSCHHOEK
BERG RIVER DAM
April 2021
The Berg River Dam is located just outside Franschhoek and is a popular venue for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and dog walkers. You have a number of options to choose from, ranging from the 18km, 360° loop around the dam, or you can walk for as far as you like along the waters edge and turn back. This review describes the loop. The terrain is a mix of jeep and single track, mostly over loose rock and sand. Fortunately there isn’t much elevation gain, roughly 300m, otherwise this route would be a lot tougher then it looks on paper. It is suitable for most people, but a decent fitness base is required.
Park at the Robertsvlei entrance, outside of the gate and remember to pay for your permit (snapscan is the easiest option, with barcodes posted on numerous signs along the route). Parking inside the gate can be a problem if you plan on arriving back after 5pm, as your car will now be stuck inside! From the gate follow the dirt road towards the dam, and stay on the road as its winds to the left hand side of the dam. After roughly 3km of walking you will see a bridge on the right. Cross over the bridge, follow the path as its turns left and stay on the same path as you go past the sign for the Snake Alley trail. The path then turns 180° and the dam will now be on your right hand side.
Follow the trail as it undulates up and down for the next 4-5km, before you get to the corner of the dam. The trail gets a little sketchy here, we had to improvise and cross over the stream to get to the trail on the other side. There aren’t any signs for this route unfortunately, so use common sense and you will be fine (you are walking around the dam after all, it cant be that hard to get lost). Once across the stream the trail is easy to follow and it takes you all the way to the dam wall.
The trail then passes the dam wall, and after a few hundred meters take the turn to your right. You want to make your way across to the road that is visible in the distance which will take you in the direction of your car. Once you have made it to the road, crossing over a stream or two, cross over the road and stick on the dirt trail which turns right. You will be able to see the dam wall in front of you, to your right. Follow the path as it makes its way in the direction of your car/start. There is one point where the trail splits, and with no sign to guide us, we decided to turn right and head in the direction of the water rather than going uphill. Fortunately we made the right choice, as our weary legs weren’t keen on an uphill battle.
Stay on the trail, and enjoy the views of the dam and Hottentots Holland mountains in the distance. After a few km’s you will come across a parking area and gate, which you will walk through and follow the dirt road for the next 1.5km back to your car. Look for some houses on the right and you should be able to locate your car, or parking area in the distance. Once you have finished, and recovered, be sure to head into Franschhoek town for a coffee or well earned breakfast/lunch!
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 3 – 5 hours depending on your fitness levels.
- DISTANCE: ±18 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 5/10
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 3/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: R50.
- DISTANCE FROM CAPE TOWN: ± 65 km
- AMENITIES: No Toilets or shops at entry.
- SAFETY: 8/10 Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike.
- SCENERY: 8/10
*Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.
Send us a message and together we will design your day of fun and adventure!
Starting from R1400 pp*
*Price includes fit activity + Chilled Adventure Day, per person for a group of 6. Please contact us for a quote.
FRANSCHHOEK
BERG RIVER DAM
April 2021
The Berg River Dam is located just outside Franschhoek and is a popular venue for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and dog walkers. You have a number of options to choose from, ranging from the 18km, 360° loop around the dam, or you can walk for as far as you like along the waters edge and turn back. This review describes the loop. The terrain is a mix of jeep and single track, mostly over loose rock and sand. Fortunately there isn’t much elevation gain, roughly 300m, otherwise this route would be a lot tougher then it looks on paper. It is suitable for most people, but a decent fitness base is required.
Park at the Robertsvlei entrance, outside of the gate and remember to pay for your permit (snapscan is the easiest option, with barcodes posted on numerous signs along the route). Parking inside the gate can be a problem if you plan on arriving back after 5pm, as your car will now be stuck inside! From the gate follow the dirt road towards the dam, and stay on the road as its winds to the left hand side of the dam. After roughly 3km of walking you will see a bridge on the right. Cross over the bridge, follow the path as its turns left and stay on the same path as you go past the sign for the Snake Alley trail. The path then turns 180° and the dam will now be on your right hand side.
Follow the trail as it undulates up and down for the next 4-5km, before you get to the corner of the dam. The trail gets a little sketchy here, we had to improvise and cross over the stream to get to the trail on the other side. There aren’t any signs for this route unfortunately, so use common sense and you will be fine (you are walking around the dam after all, it cant be that hard to get lost). Once across the stream the trail is easy to follow and it takes you all the way to the dam wall.
The trail then passes the dam wall, and after a few hundred meters take the turn to your right. You want to make your way across to the road that is visible in the distance which will take you in the direction of your car. Once you have made it to the road, crossing over a stream or two, cross over the road and stick on the dirt trail which turns right. You will be able to see the dam wall in front of you, to your right. Follow the path as it makes its way in the direction of your car/start. There is one point where the trail splits, and with no sign to guide us, we decided to turn right and head in the direction of the water rather than going uphill. Fortunately we made the right choice, as our weary legs weren’t keen on an uphill battle.
Stay on the trail, and enjoy the views of the dam and Hottentots Holland mountains in the distance. After a few km’s you will come across a parking area and gate, which you will walk through and follow the dirt road for the next 1.5km back to your car. Look for some houses on the right and you should be able to locate your car, or parking area in the distance. Once you have finished, and recovered, be sure to head into Franschhoek town for a coffee or well earned breakfast/lunch!
NEED TO KNOW:
- DURATION: 3 – 5 hours depending on your fitness levels.
- DISTANCE: ±18 km
- EFFORT LEVEL: 5/10
- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: 3/10
- REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable shoes, water bottle, snacks, warm top.
- ENTRY FEE: R50.
- DISTANCE FROM CAPE TOWN: ± 65 km
- AMENITIES: No Toilets or shops at entry.
- SAFETY: 8/10 Always monitor your surroundings.
- ACCESSIBILITY: You will need to be fit and mobile to complete this hike.
- SCENERY: 8/10
*Please note that this is our interpretation of the hike and is not meant to be used for navigation purposes. Hiking can involve dangerous elements, and remember that the weather on top of a mountain is always different to that at the base. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, don’t litter and stick to the foot paths. Do not light a fire no matter what.
Send us a message and together we will design your day of fun and adventure!