Come and enjoy the peace and serenity of Holhoek Hiking Trail which is situated some 18km near the picturesque small Eastern Free State town of Paul Roux. It is approximately 310km from Johannesburg and 230km from Bloemfontein. The town is situated next to the N5 (the National Road between Durban and Bloemfontein – the Capital of the Free State), approximately 30 km from Senekal and 40 km from Bethlehem.

We like to ensure the comfort of all our guests. All accommodation is self-catering with excellent facilities at your disposal. The farm offers self-catering thatch-roofed accommodation with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and a duck pond, housing 60 people at any given time. The kitchen and braai area must rank among the best to be found on any hiking trail, and the ablutions would do credit to any self-catering establishment which houses clean neat bathrooms with 24-hour warm showers.  Make this your base, and explore our San rock art, game and the beautiful town of Clarens which is only 60km away. 

Locality:

Take the road to a little town in the Eastern Free State, called Paul Roux.  From there you turn east and follow a gravel road for 17 km.   Do not complain, open your heart and let the untouched beauty flow through you and just continue until you reach an unusual gate with a round hole in the stone wall HOLHOEK.  Approximately 310 km from Johannesburg and 230 km from Bloemfontein.

Accommodation:

Base Camp:

2 thatched-roof huts and a double story house, accommodating up to 24 and 32 hikers.

18 hikers on upper floor and 14 hikers on ground floor.

1 x electrical plug point in each 12 bed rondawel and more in big rondawel.

Equipped with beds and mattresses. 

Ablution facilities:

Flush toilets and showers with hot water (electric geyser).

Kitchen:

• 2 x fridges
• Deepfreeze
• Hot plate
• 2 pots and 1 pan
• Kettle
• The lapa with braai facilities.

Route Description:

It is a figure 8 trail (day one is 13 km and day two 7 km ), developed and built by Tiaan Strydom of Discovery Trails.  The farm has a very rich archaeological heritage and is therefore very special and unique.  Let the bare rocks of the mountains touch your most inner self.  Trees in all shades of green or touching autumn colours, mountain streams and ducks on the pond, will speak a language that no one else will understand.  One of the 5 caves that are visited on the route is located near a stream and is rich in Bushman rock paintings.  The second cave were inhabited at some stage by Iron Age farmers, probably Sotho-speaking people.  There are two huts, built against the back wall under the low overhang of the roof, which are close on 200 years old. 

The next cave is close to the above and is semicircular with a spectacular waterfall and pool at its center.  On the second day the cave where the mother of old president PW Botha took shelter during the war is visited.  The ruins of several rectangular houses are still visible above the farmhouse, on the route of the hiking trail and probably date to the first white settlement of the farm.  Safe bridges built over mountain streams, breath-taking trails through the valleys and ladders up the mountains will not only be an unforgettable memory but an urgent call to come back to Holhoek Hiking Trail. Hikers with a fear of heights may have problems with some of the ladders and bridges

Please supply your own:

• Own bedding
• Cutlery and crockery
• Food and beverage
• Firewood
• Toilet paper

Pertinent Information:

• Advisable to travel in bakkies / 4×4 / cars with high axel clearance
• Extreme care should be taken at all bridges and ladders.
• Wood is sold at the guest farm.

Rates:

• R270.00 pp.pn
• R170.00 pp.pn – 5 – 10 years
• R170.00 pp/pn – Camping
• R120.00 – Day Visitors – Adult
• R80.00 – 5 – 10Yrs
• R390.00 – Adult – One night stay
• R250.00 – 5-10Yrs – One night stay

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off reservation fee