Pickup info: Mostly our guests arrive using their own transport but we can collect guests from Riversdale at an additional fee and most bus services do stop here to drop off or pick up passengers.
Notes:
Catered groups cannot exceed 6 guests and the hut can accommodate up to 12 guests self catering style. For groups exceeding 6, a guide's assistant is needed.
Kristalkloof with Campseberg/Sleeping Beauty
Duration:
3 day(s) - Location:
Langeberg farm, Riversdale area
The Garden Route is one of the three most visited destinations in South Africa and is known to be safe, and friendly and boasts the most diverse plant biome in the world. Fynbosch is endemic to the Western Cape and has more than 8600 identified plant species with plants in bloom throughout the year. This is where you find the imposing Langeberg mountain range where the sleeping beauty stands out as a landmark. Sleeping Beauty Hiking Company is on a family farm very close to this famous landmark and offers a variety of hiking options in the area. Overnight before and after the hike is a catered farm stay with the guide/family on their mountain farm.
Day 1 consists of hiking Kristalkloof and follows a small stream that is a feeder of the Goukou River. It offers several pools of which some are deep enough for an invigorating swim after enjoying a few hours of spectacular mountain views and a variety of beautiful Fynbosch plants and flowers.
Day 2 is your choice between hiking Sleeping Beauty itself which is a strenuous steep climb or the more moderate Campseberg with opportunities to enjoy the rock pools and beautiful surrounds.
Sleeping Beauty is a full day that takes you up to the summit from where the panoramic views over the arid Karoo as well as the coastal flatland are can be enjoyed. Guides with intricate knowledge of the fauna and flora add tremendous value to your experience and they will lead you to the mountain streams and through a patch of indigenous forest. This day hike is strenuous with a steep climb to the summit but with views that reward the effort. Summiting in cloudy conditions is not advised and the guide will determine whether summiting can be done on the day. The guide will also advise whether your group should consider rather doing the Campseberg loop.
OR
Campseberg follows a contour of the mountain with views of the river and mountains and several pools where you can relax, and in some, also enjoy a cooling swim. The floral beauty of this day is astounding and can be thoroughly enjoyed as this is a moderate hike with only a few zigzagging uphill stretches and is advisable for families and beginner and irregular hikers.
( Regular hikers that like a challenge can enquire about adding a third day to the hike which would include the three days above and would add another full day with meals etc. and will be quoted as a bespoke option with obvious added costs )
Day 1 consists of hiking Kristalkloof and follows a small stream that is a feeder of the Goukou River. It offers several pools of which some are deep enough for an invigorating swim after enjoying a few hours of spectacular mountain views and a variety of beautiful Fynbosch plants and flowers.
Day 2 is your choice between hiking Sleeping Beauty itself which is a strenuous steep climb or the more moderate Campseberg with opportunities to enjoy the rock pools and beautiful surrounds.
Sleeping Beauty is a full day that takes you up to the summit from where the panoramic views over the arid Karoo as well as the coastal flatland are can be enjoyed. Guides with intricate knowledge of the fauna and flora add tremendous value to your experience and they will lead you to the mountain streams and through a patch of indigenous forest. This day hike is strenuous with a steep climb to the summit but with views that reward the effort. Summiting in cloudy conditions is not advised and the guide will determine whether summiting can be done on the day. The guide will also advise whether your group should consider rather doing the Campseberg loop.
OR
Campseberg follows a contour of the mountain with views of the river and mountains and several pools where you can relax, and in some, also enjoy a cooling swim. The floral beauty of this day is astounding and can be thoroughly enjoyed as this is a moderate hike with only a few zigzagging uphill stretches and is advisable for families and beginner and irregular hikers.
( Regular hikers that like a challenge can enquire about adding a third day to the hike which would include the three days above and would add another full day with meals etc. and will be quoted as a bespoke option with obvious added costs )
Itinerary
on this page
Day 1: Arrive on the farm, settle in and join the family for a trail briefing and farm dinner before you settle down for the night.
Day 2: Breakfast is one hour prior to the hike's start as arranged the night before. We transfer you to the start of the trail. You start hiking uphill and then follow Kristalkloof, the ravine of a small stream which is a feeder of the Goukou River. It offers several pools of which some are deep enough for an invigorating swim after enjoying a few hours of spectacular mountain views and a variety of beautiful Fynbosch plants, flowers, a variety of birds and small animals. The guide will share with you the uses and unique features of the endemic Fynbosch and if you are lucky you might have the rare sighting a wild leopard. Baboons are a regular sight and they often entertain with their antics while the rarely seen Africa Black (Verreaux's) Eagle would be a highlight.
Day 3: Breakfast is followed by a short transfer and your choice of Sleeping Beauty or the more moderate Campseberg.
Sleeping Beauty is a full day for experienced and regular hikers that take you up to the summit from where the panoramic views over the arid Karoo as well as the coastal flatland are can be enjoyed. A guide with intricate knowledge of the fauna and flora adds tremendous value to your experience and they will lead you to the mountain streams and through a patch of indigenous forest. This day hike is strenuous with a steep climb to the summit but with views that reward the effort. Summiting in cloudy conditions is not advised and the guide will determine whether summiting can be done on the day. The guide will also advise whether your group should consider rather doing the less strenuous Campseberg loop.
OR
Campseberg follows a contour of the mountain with views of the river and visits several pools where you can relax, and in some cases, enjoy a cooling swim before and after tackling the two moderate zigzagging climbs. The floral beauty of this mountain is astounding and can be thoroughly enjoyed. This is a less strenuous to moderate day compared to Sleeping Beauty.
Overnight arrangements are the same as the previous night with a traditional meal.
Day4: After breakfast and parting words you depart for your next adventure of which we sadly, probably, form no part.
(Should you want a 3-day hike both Sleeping Beauty and Campseberg can be added with an additional day's accommodation to make a bespoke three day hike)
Day 2: Breakfast is one hour prior to the hike's start as arranged the night before. We transfer you to the start of the trail. You start hiking uphill and then follow Kristalkloof, the ravine of a small stream which is a feeder of the Goukou River. It offers several pools of which some are deep enough for an invigorating swim after enjoying a few hours of spectacular mountain views and a variety of beautiful Fynbosch plants, flowers, a variety of birds and small animals. The guide will share with you the uses and unique features of the endemic Fynbosch and if you are lucky you might have the rare sighting a wild leopard. Baboons are a regular sight and they often entertain with their antics while the rarely seen Africa Black (Verreaux's) Eagle would be a highlight.
Day 3: Breakfast is followed by a short transfer and your choice of Sleeping Beauty or the more moderate Campseberg.
Sleeping Beauty is a full day for experienced and regular hikers that take you up to the summit from where the panoramic views over the arid Karoo as well as the coastal flatland are can be enjoyed. A guide with intricate knowledge of the fauna and flora adds tremendous value to your experience and they will lead you to the mountain streams and through a patch of indigenous forest. This day hike is strenuous with a steep climb to the summit but with views that reward the effort. Summiting in cloudy conditions is not advised and the guide will determine whether summiting can be done on the day. The guide will also advise whether your group should consider rather doing the less strenuous Campseberg loop.
OR
Campseberg follows a contour of the mountain with views of the river and visits several pools where you can relax, and in some cases, enjoy a cooling swim before and after tackling the two moderate zigzagging climbs. The floral beauty of this mountain is astounding and can be thoroughly enjoyed. This is a less strenuous to moderate day compared to Sleeping Beauty.
Overnight arrangements are the same as the previous night with a traditional meal.
Day4: After breakfast and parting words you depart for your next adventure of which we sadly, probably, form no part.
(Should you want a 3-day hike both Sleeping Beauty and Campseberg can be added with an additional day's accommodation to make a bespoke three day hike)
Participant guidelines
Hikers should have sturdy hiking shoes such as boots or trainers, a rain jacket, sun hat, sun block, day pack to carry enough water and snack pack, swim wear, camera (optional), Binoculars (optional). A roll of toilet paper and plasters could be handy.
Other disclosures
Hikers participate at their own risk. A professional guide will accompany the hikers and all precautions for safety are taken. Guests can determine for themselves what their health status is, at their own risk. We prefer that no smoking is done on the hike due to fire risk and we stress that no cigarette butts be left on the mountain. We carry down everything we take up and mobile phones must be switched off or left at the base as there is barely any reception.
