Gantouw Ox Wagon Pass – (Hottentots Holland NR – Somerset West)

Please note that to hike this trail you will likely need to organize permission from various landowners as access is gated and locked. I’m unaware of the particulars as I joined another hiking group, but the exact details and procedure are likely available if one does some research.
The Gantouw Pass is partly trail and partly a piece of South African History. Prior to 1830 before Sir Lowry’s pass was completed by Charles Michell, the Gantouw pass was the only means over the mountain for Ox Wagons travelling to Swellendam, George, Uitenhage and beyond. Before European settlers arrived in the Cape the pass was already being traversed by local Khoisan people as they moved freely following game in the area and likely provided inspiration for the route the settlers chose to follow. Gantouw is thought to be derived from the Khoisan word for Eland. From the first recorded crossing in 1664, and in use up until 1830, 166 years’ worth of Ox Wagon’s locked wheels being dragged over the pass have gouged ruts into the Table Mountain Sandstone. The ruts are clearly visible and well preserved. Everyone on the trail seems to keep an eye out for a more impressive specimen or section of ruts as they ascend, with the most impressive ruts appearing in the section right before the passes summit. The pass’ traffic peaked in 1821 with approximately 4500 wagons crossing it and 1 in 5 wagons not making the crossing. Declared a national monument in 1958 the pass is off the main track and well preserved but as mentioned prior, comparatively infrequently hiked due to access restraints and being comparatively less known than other trails in the area. The trail recorded here departs from within Tre Donne Country Estate and follows the estate roads before exiting through a locked gate. After the gate the trail crosses the railway line and follows a jeep track before meeting up with the railway again. Thereafter the path moves to single track which then links to the wider old Ox Wagon Route for the last stretch to the top of the range. At the summit of the pass a path leads one to a rocky outcrop where the two cannons can be reached. These cannons in years gone by would have been used to alert those in the Grabouw and Somerset valley of ships arriving in Table Bay bringing supplies, similar to Kanonkop in Stellenbosch. After the cannons the path continues back down the same route and back to the starting point. A highlight of this trail if one is lucky enough with their timing is to be near to, or spot the Steam Locomotive Train as it passes by. The train operates on weekends and makes its trip from Cape Town to Elgin, seeing it on this trail crossing the mountains is quite the nostalgic scene from a bygone era. To recap, the Gantouw Pass trail is a fairly easy trail which can be done by any hiker with a fair amount of fitness, the gradual incline of the pass assists and assures that it is never overly strenuous. While access is limited arrangements can be made if one is determined enough, please just make sure you obtain the necessary permissions and never trespass. The scenery is good with the veld and vegetation improving as one ascends, the train if seen is a highlight and the vistas over False Bay, Somerset West and the Helderberg are well worth the relatively gentle climb. I can definitely recommend this trail if the opportunity to go presents itself.