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Botmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch)

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Trail photos

Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch)

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Trail stats

Distance
5.19 mi
Elevation gain
2,408 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
2,408 ft
Max elevation
3,017 ft
TrailRank 
67 5
Min elevation
598 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
2 hours 33 minutes
Time
3 hours 47 minutes
Coordinates
1494
Uploaded
July 21, 2022
Recorded
July 2022
  • Rating

  •   5 1 review

near Idasvallei, Western Cape (South Africa)

Viewed 249 times, downloaded 10 times

Trail photos

Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch) Photo ofBotmaskop Hike - Helshoogte/Banhoek (Stellenbosch)

Itinerary description

Starting at the parking lot on Rozandal road in Stellenbosch the trail cuts through gum and pine plantations which eventually give way to Fynbos. The path ascends quickly in a relatively short distance to reach the summit of Botmaskop. The closer to the summit the steeper the trail becomes and there are sections that require one to Boulder a bit with some exposure to heights. That being said if one takes it slowly and is careful with some of the loose rocks it can be a very enjoyable trail and rewards the able with amazing 360 degree views of Stellenbosch, Banghoek, Simonsberg, False bay and even a sight line across to Table Mountain. Within the Botmaskop plantation there have been incedents relating to security in the past. That being said there are new fences and more controlled access points to keep hikers safe. Don't avoid the trail but rather be vigilant and do not hike alone, consider leaving valuables and jewelry behind for the hike. As the hike is mostly on the northern slope it can get very warm, be careful on hot days and make sure you have applied sunscreen.

Waypoints

PictographIntersection Altitude 606 ft
Photo ofTrail start

Trail start

Look for sign

Photo ofInfo board

Info board

Sign

PictographSummit Altitude 815 ft
Photo ofBotmaskop peak Photo ofBotmaskop peak Photo ofBotmaskop peak

Botmaskop peak

The summit

PictographPicnic Altitude 1,282 ft
Photo ofThe bench Photo ofThe bench

The bench

Picnic

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,622 ft
Photo ofBotmaskop and surrounds Photo ofBotmaskop and surrounds Photo ofBotmaskop and surrounds

Botmaskop and surrounds

And Surrounds

PictographIntersection Altitude 1,838 ft
Photo ofRight to the peak

Right to the peak

Waypoint

PictographWaypoint Altitude 2,177 ft
Photo ofPath up Photo ofPath up

Path up

Path

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,508 ft
Photo ofThe pillars route goes through Photo ofThe pillars route goes through Photo ofThe pillars route goes through

The pillars route goes through

Route up

PictographRisk Altitude 2,755 ft
Photo ofSteep section Photo ofSteep section

Steep section

Exposed

PictographPanorama Altitude 2,823 ft
Photo ofBanghoek valley pamorama Photo ofBanghoek valley pamorama Photo ofBanghoek valley pamorama

Banghoek valley pamorama

View

PictographSummit Altitude 3,010 ft
Photo ofSummit Botmaskop Photo ofSummit Botmaskop Photo ofSummit Botmaskop

Summit Botmaskop

Trig beacon

PictographCastle Altitude 3,010 ft
Photo ofHerstein Castle table mountain in distance and views Photo ofHerstein Castle table mountain in distance and views Photo ofHerstein Castle table mountain in distance and views

Herstein Castle table mountain in distance and views

Castle below and views from summit

PictographFlora Altitude 2,949 ft
Photo ofWaboom Photo ofWaboom

Waboom

On slopes

PictographFlora Altitude 2,792 ft
Photo ofAloe Photo ofAloe Photo ofAloe

Aloe

On cliff faces

PictographWaypoint Altitude 2,640 ft
Photo ofPath Photo ofPath

Path

Trail

PictographTree Altitude 1,754 ft
Photo ofGum tree forest Photo ofGum tree forest

Gum tree forest

Gum trees

PictographTree Altitude 1,109 ft
Photo ofRoad through pines and gum trees Photo ofRoad through pines and gum trees

Road through pines and gum trees

Road down

PictographInformation point Altitude 1,035 ft
Photo ofGate Photo ofGate

Gate

Forestry gate

PictographFountain Altitude 956 ft
Photo ofWater resevior Photo ofWater resevior Photo ofWater resevior

Water resevior

Dam

PictographIntersection Altitude 869 ft
Photo ofMove off brick road

Move off brick road

Intersection

PictographWaypoint Altitude 758 ft
Photo ofTurn back Photo ofTurn back Photo ofTurn back

Turn back

Direction

Comments  (2)

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