This is a World Heritage Site MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE MARLOTH

arloth lies within the southern Langeberg mountain (fynbos encroachment), it has been reduced to isolated patches range near Swellendam. The reserve is 14 123 ha in in the damper kloofs (riverines). Typical forest species include extent and is managed together with another 16 532 ha yellowwood, stinkwood, Cape beech, wild olive, assegaaibos, ofM privately owned proclaimed mountain catchment land. Most cherrywood and hard pear. of the reserve activities occur between the gently sloping foothills, up to the ‘Plaat’ at about 600m. The formidable higher slopes, up to the famous ‘Clock Peaks’, lie between 1100m and MarlothAnimals supports numerous animal species, although most are 1450m above sea level. relatively small and not easily observed. Mammals include grey Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa and rhebok, grysbok, bushbuck, bushpig, porcupine, klipspringer, com- NATURE RESERVE has many interesting cultural-historic features. Marloth Nature mon duiker, baboon, leopard, caracal lynx, mongoose, porcupine, Reserve is named after the pioneer botanist Dr Rudolph Marloth hyrax and hare. The area is rich in birdlife. Of the 114 species who, in 1928, successfully led a deputation of Swellendam resi- that have been recorded, the Cape Sugarbird is the most con- dents to petition the Minister of Lands and Forestry to set aside spicuous while African Fish Eagle, Black Eagle, Wood Owl, Red a part of the mountain (190ha) as a nature reserve. This included Winged Francolin, Tambourine Dove, four different species of the forest patches of Koloniesbos and Duiwelsbos and thus pro- Woodpecker, Cape Vulture and Narina Trogon can also be seen. tected some of the land. During 1981 the reserve was enlarged Visitors should be on the alert for Puff adder, Cape cobra and to include the rest of the Forest Reserve state land and the mountain adder snakes when hiking. Swellendam Hiking Trail was opened. The reserve was designated a World Heritage Site in 2015, as part of the extension to the Cape Floral Kingdom Protected Areas World Heritage Site. AllActivities trails and activities begin at the Marloth Nature Reserve office, where vehicles may be parked. Visitors can mountain bike, hike or picnic. Horse trail opportunities are available for those TheClimate climate in the Swellendam area is typical of the southern with their own horses. Cape, with hot summers and cold winters. The rainfall is fairly evenly spread throughout the year with June and July being the • MULTI-DAY HIKING driest months and March, October and November the wettest. THE ORIGINAL 4-5-DAY SWELLENDAM HIKING TRAIL THAT The mountainous topography also influences local weather con- TRAVERSES THE ENTIRE RESERVE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. ditions, resulting in a higher rainfall and even snow in winter at Hikers may, however, still walk the first section of the trail the higher altitudes. which starts at the office and passes through Boskloof, Goedgeloof, Proteavallei and Wolfkloof. Shorter day routes are possible. This trail is fairly demanding and should only be TheVegetation vegetation in the nature reserve is predominantly mountain attempted by fit hikers. Reservations are limited to a minimum fynbos with patches of Afromontane forest. Spring is the best of 3 and a maximum of 10 people. Trips should be planned in time to witness the colourful display of mountain fynbos, that advance as hikers are not permitted to leave the trail due to it includes several protea species and more than 25 erica species. being surrounded by private property, especially at Wolfkloof Many of these erica and protea species occur nowhere else and Gooedgeloof, as well of the possibility of getting lost. in the world. The original forest covered a much larger area Four rustic huts equipped only with beds, water and primitive but due to exploitation for timber for the local furniture and toilets provide limited overnight shelter. Hikers should bring wagon industries over the past 300 years, as well as wild fires their own cooking utensils, bedding, warm clothes, hat, sun- www.capenature.co.za

screen and drinking water. Boskloof shelter has no mattresses • MOUNTAIN BIKING so hikers need to provide their own hiking mat rolls. Fires The reserve and plantation roads offer good opportunities are only permitted at the demarcated site at Wolfkloof due for exploring from the saddle. The bike trails vary from easy to the high risk of veld fires and the scarcity of fire wood. All to more advanced. Details are available from the reserve shelters are self maintained and must be left as found with office. “leave no trace" principles needing to be adhered to at all times. No refuse bins are provided as hikers must carry out • HORSE RIDING everything carried in, and no dumping of any items is allowed. For those with their own horses, trail opportunities are avail- able in the reserve and adjacent plantation. Nearby private • DAY TRAILS operators provide horses and guided trails. Details are avail- Marloth offers various day trails, ranging from easy, short able at the reserve office. walks to more strenuous, longer hikes.

- Indigenous forest walks BushbuckAccommodation Cottage is a fully-equipped self-catering cottage situated These trails lead into the cool green depths of the indig- near the start of the trails and an ideal base from which to enous forest remnants where rock pools, waterfalls and explore the reserve. It sleeps up to six people in three rooms. ancient trees wait to be explored. The walks are generally (Please refer to information about the overnight hiking trail shelters DISCLAIMER short (between 2km and 5km) and reasonably easy. Look under Activities - Multi-Day Hiking) OF LIABILITY out for bushbuck and baboon. Alternatively, there is a Backpackers Adventure Lodge as All persons entering this well as several other accommodation facilities in Swellendam. conservation area and using its facilities, - The Plaat do so entirely at their own risk. The Western The Plaat walks are slightly longer and range between 3km Cape Nature Conservation Board and/or its and 16km. They include a short, steep zig-zag section to FromDirections Cape Town: Take the N2 highway towards Swellendam. Just employees and/or agents and/or its successors reach the mid-band of the mountain at about 600m. Here past Swellendam, turn left onto the R60 and then follow signs in title shall not be liable for any damage, loss, hikers are rewarded with inspiring views and a variety of for Marloth Nature Reserve. Turn right at the signpost and travel theft, injury, accident or death suffered by any wildflowers and birdlife. The many streams en route pro- about 3km until you reach the reserve gates. There is a short person, howsoever caused. vide ample cool mountain water to quench the thirsty. amount of gravel road, approximately 1.2km long, leading up to Right of Admission Reserved. the reserve gates. The route from Cape Town is about 220km and - The Peaks will take about two and a half hours. The mountain peaks of Tienuurkop (1195m) and Twaalfuurkop (1450m) are an ideal challenge for fit hikers. Breathtaking views of the entire Langeberg mountain range, ItReservations is not necessary to reserve day visits, but multi-day hikes and the Rûensveld and even the Indian Ocean are guaranteed. accommodation must be reserved in advance. Hikers are advised to carry sufficient water and be prepared ENQUIRIES for rapid climatic changes and extreme weather conditions. ENJOY YOUR VISIT! Tel: 028 514 1410 [email protected] • PICNICS AND BRAAIS RESERVATIONS A 5km drive along a gravel road leads from the reserve EMERGENCY NUMBERS: 2017 Tel: 021 483 0190 entrance through the commercial pine plantations to the • Reserve Office: 028 514 1410 Duiwelsbos picnic area. Most of the picnic sites and the braai • Duty Officer: 082 4962 450 www.capenature.co.za areas lead off this road, which is usually in a fair condition. The • Wilderness Search & Rescue: 10177 braai area may be closed at short notice due to extreme fire • Police: 028 514 8102/ 10111

risks at certain times during summer. 7/ © CapeNature 0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 km

700 800 900 1000 Pr ote Warmwaternek GOEDGELOOF a 1100 St Proteavallei PROTEAVALLEI re 1200 Knapsak am 1300 1400 Warmwaterrivier Falls 1365 1500 Zuurplaats 1600 Langkuilerivier KRUISPAD- MISTY POINT Het goedgeloofnek PIEK KEURBOOMRUG 1710 of klo s 1127 HERMITAGE Knuckle rock outbo PEAK Zuurplaats Stream inh Kle 1554 Leeurivier AD 1300 KRUISP Leeur EENUURKOP Drosterspas ivier BOSKLOOF Waterfall TWAALFUURKOP 1200 loof Boskloof 1100 1375 k 1428 ELFUURKOP 1000 (Crown Peak) 1399 900 rkloof itage TIENUURKOP 800 Glen Str 1200 Tie 700 m r 1100 1195 600 1000 500 He 900 WWOLFKLOOFOLFKLOOF 800 300 400 ea 700 m 600 Doktersbos Koloniesbos 500

Duiwelsbos Wamakersbos 400 300 DIE HOEK MULTI-DAY HIKING TRAIL PROFILES Grootkloofdam Glenstroom P OFFICE CROSS SECTION: SOUTHERN SLOPES I B MISTY POINT TWAALFUUR- KOP ELFUURKOP B EENUURKOP TIENUURKOP TO A SWELLENDAM MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE 990000 800 700 600 WOLFKLOOF 500 B 400

GLENSTROOM 300 200 DAY TRAILS LEGEND 100 SWELLENDAM P 0 10.7 km ±4 hrs I B 14.8 km ±6½hrs Trail route numbers correspond with those on the map. Reserve Boundary Information (Estimated distances and duration): P Swellendam Trail Parking I B Starting point CROSS SECTION: NORTHERN SLOPES Distance Time Difficulty Day Trails 1.1 HERMITAGE MISTY POINT Moderate Distance marker PEAK 11 Plaat West (small loop) 8.9km 2hrs Trail under A ELFUURKOP TIENUUR- 2 Plaat loop (large loop) 12.2km 3hrs Moderate construction Peak height (metres) VALLEI

KOP PROTEA- 1200 1100 B 3 Appelsbos loop 20.8km 5hrs Moderate Jeep track Parking

A BOSKLOOF 1000 900 800 GOEDGELOOF Strenuous Private jeep track 700 4 Twaalfuurkop (return) 12.4km 6hrs Picnic site 600 500 Forest drive 400 5 Duiwelsbos waterfall 2.0km 1hr Moderate 300 Braai area 200 Indigenous forest 100 (return) 0 Swimming 6 Easy Pine plantation 10 km ±4 hrs 10 km ±4 hrs 13 km ±6 hrs Koloniesbos loop 2.0km 1hr Overnight hut Toilets 7 Appelsbos loop 11.6km 3hrs Moderate

8 Tienuurkop loop 9.6km 5hrs Strenuous km TWAALFUURKOP 00.25 0.5 1.0 1426

1300 1200 ELFUURKOP 1399 1100 1000

4 900 800 TIENUURKOP 1195 1100 8 700 1000 900 80 60 40 20 800 2.8 Plaat West 4 0.6 600 700 1 2 Plaat Plaat East DDoktersbosoktersbos 1.1 3 2.3 2 3 1 3 4 8 600 2 3.6 DDuiwelsbosuiwelsbos 3 7 0.5 View 1 4 KoloniesbosKoloniesbos point 1.0 8 1.8 4 6 3 3 2.0 Waterfall 2 5 Head this way 1 6 2 0.5 for trails1,2,3,4 7 1.0 8 Glenstroom 5 WWamakersbosamakersbos BUSHBUCK 0.7 1 0.6 6 2 COTTAGE 1 2 3 4 3 5.0 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 2 3 7 1.0 5 6 7 8 3 7 Appelsbos 8 5 6 7 8 3 8 0.8 2 3 5 6 7 0.8 8

1.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Koloniesbos P Hut I B OFFICE MARLOTH NATURE RESERVE To Swellendam 2.9