A large, peaceful hut with a pool, braai area, and adjacent camping. 100m from the car! A very convenient base for hiking and climbing in the Du Toit's valley.

Drive Time: 60 mins from Cape Town
Walk-in Time: 2 mins
Facilities: Hut, camping, walking, rock climbing, swimmimng/kloofing
Size: 3Ha
Section (ownership/servitude): CT

Coordinates: 33°44'6.24"S    19° 7'44.25"E

1:50 000 map sheet reference:   3319 CA Bainskloof

Access is for MCSA members only. The general rules for huts and club properties can be found here. For more details contact the Convenor (see the Contact us page).

HISTORY OF MCSA OWNERSHIP

At the cessation of World War II hostilities, the Committee decided to commemorate those Club Members who made the supreme sacrifice between 1939 and 1945. It was further decided that the most appropriate memorial would be a mountain hut in the Boland that could be used by young and old alike.

Various areas were considered and eventually a site in the then wild and remote Du Toit’s Kloof was deemed to be ideal, so steps were taken to acquire land that would be reached from the new Du Toit’s Kloof pass which was then under construction.

During 1947 several prominent and active Club members chose a suitable site on the Du Toit’s Peak side of the pass which would be accessible from the proposed road. Subsequently two committee members visited Mr Hennie de Wet, the owner of the land who donated the site to the Club, and in recognition of his generous gift he was elected an Honorary Life Member of the Club. Hut plans were prepared, but unexpected difficulties delayed construction. However, by 1949, the hut was completed and the official opening of the Du Toit’s Kloof Memorial Hut by the Club’s President was attended by approximately 250 persons.

A bronze plaque bearing the names of those Club members who were killed during the War is above the main fireplace in the hut.

PERMITS, PAYMENT AND GENERAL RULES

Farming adjoining the site was not originally envisaged, but because of this development it has now become necessary to impose strict regulations regarding access, trespassing and fires, in order that relations with our farmer neighbours are not jeopardised.

Permits are not required for access to the hut and associated club property.

Permits for walking in surrounding areas are covered below under “Activities”.

The standard rules for Club properties apply. In particular, members are reminded of the following:-

1. Parties of more than 8 people must inform the convener of their intended visit.
2. Guests are limited to 2 per member for overnight visits and 4 per member for day visits. (This rule will be relaxed in the case of educational groups, at the discretion of the convener).
3. The names of members and their guests must be entered in the Hut Register immediately upon arrival at the property, irrespective of whether or not they intend to use the Hut.

This does not apply if passing through the property i.e. walking to Agtertafelberg

1. Members and guests camping in the grounds overnight are liable for Hut Fees at the same rate as those who occupy the Hut.
2. If staying overnight, members are to fill in a “self invoicing” sheet in the Hut Fees booklet provided. Payment for use of the hut is made at the Hatfield Street offices. Call 021- 465-3412 during office hours (12 - 2pm weekdays) for clarification on directions, payment etc.
3. The MCSA key must not be lent to non-members.
4. No dogs are allowed on the property.

ACCESS

The Du Toit’s Kloof hut is situated close to the National Road N1, approx. 73 km from Cape Town via the Huguenot Tunnel and about 38 km from Worcester.

If travelling inland using the tunnel, proceed to the turnoff for the hotel and turn back to Cape Town. After some 5km, take the turnoff to the left for the old pass and after a further 100m turn left into a farm gate fitted with an MCSA padlock.

If travelling inland using the road over the pass, proceed through the old tunnel, crossing the Elands River, and note the vehicle inspection facility for the new tunnel on the left. The road then passes under the southbound carriageway and then merges with this road as a single carriageway again. Slow down here and do a U turn when safe to do so. Head back to Cape Town, take the left turn up the old pass and turn left after 100m into a farm gate fitted with an MCSA padlock. (Please note that the u-turn is dangerous and probably illegal. The safer option is to continue as far as the Hotel and to make use of the designed turning slot.)

The property is situated in the middle of the farm formerly known as Skoonheid, but  part of the Fisantekraal farm now owned by Mr Dan Womersley, and the access arrangements that have been agreed upon with him must be strictly adhered to.

1. The entrance gate. This is on the farmer’s property, not the Club’s. Keep it locked at all times. DO NOT leave it open or unlocked for a member of your party who intends arriving later, as not only will this irritate the landowner, but the padlock may be removed, leaving no means of securing the gate.
2. Parking. The official parking area is some 200m up a dirt road.  Please do not park in the orchards, and park such that the road leading into the upper orchard is not obstructed. Although the area is away from the road, do not leave valuables exposed in the car
3. Access routes. Our only approved access routes across the farm are:
   1. via the road from the gate to the car park.
   2. via the path leading from the swimming pool to the stile and thence to the private road to Agtertafelberg Hut

Under no circumstances may members deviate from these routes, and the orchards, in particular, are specifically out of bounds.

Note that in line with all MCSA properties, no dogs are allowed on the premises.

Note that it is both dangerous and illegal to feed baboons.

ADJACENT LAND OWNERS

The hut is encircled by the farm Skoonheid, now owned by Mr Dan Womersley

The attached sketch shows the approximate location, size and boundaries of the property. Please do not stray onto the farmer’s property, and use only the pathways shown on the map.

MCSA members may use the two access routes described above, but must carry MCSA cards, and stick to the path.

FACILITIES AT THE PROPERTY

The hut has two rooms, each with a fireplace and a total of some 14 beds with foam mattresses. Please do not remove these from the hut as the covers do get damaged.

The toilet is some 50m away from the hut, the path leading around to the left and back of the hut when facing the door.  Please use the “road sign” to indicate when occupied. Note that the exceptional view from the loo does tend to cause extended visits.....

The pool is some 75m to the right of the door when facing the hut, along the path to the Agtertafelberg hut.

A shower is located a few steps below the pool, the tap being concealed behind the tree trunk. Regrettably only cold water is provided.

The “fridge” is located next to the fireplace. It is based on an evaporative cooling system, so ensure water is flowing onto it if in use.

The water supply is based on a supply from a spring nearby.  The water at the fireplace is to be used for drinking water supply only, the washing of crockery and ablutions being done at a downstream point a few metres away just below the path. Please note the illustration indicating which pond is used for ablutions, and fish out large debris from the water after washing crockery in the other pond.

Should there be too little water, please check the filter at the dam which is along a path just above that leading to the pool. If necessary, remove the leaves from the perforated pipe strainer and recheck the flow at the fireplaces.

The terraces to the left of the hut provide ample shaded places for tents and are fairly well protected from the wind.

Fire precautions

Please note that whilst the standard fire safety rules for Club properties apply, in that no fires are allowed on club property, this is the only Club property where outside fires are permitted, providing the following rules are observed:

There are two brick fireplaces on the terrace to the right or west of the hut, and two inside the hut. No fires are permitted elsewhere on the property.

The fire buckets standing next to the fireplaces must be kept filled with water at all times. Check them before lighting a fire.

Outside fires must never be left unattended, and must be fully extinguished after use. Totally extinguished  ash (which means totally drenched and no longer steaming)  must be placed in the ash bin adjacent to the hut. The ash bin has a steel cover that must be closed.

Limited supplies of wood are usually kept in the bin adjacent to the hut, but it is advisable to bring your own.

Please do not saw down apparently dead trees on the property for firewood.

It is the members’ responsibility to ensure that a fire is kept small and never gets out of control. In view of the serious fire on the grounds a few years ago, the consequences of such an occurrence could be extremely serious both for the member(s) concerned and for the Club.

ACTIVITIES AND USER GROUPS

Local Walks Without Permits

There is a fifteen minute walk along the path that would eventually lead to the Agtertafelberg hut, which provides an interesting view of the immediate area.

If walking up the road for 200m, there is a path leading up the slope to the saddle overlooking the Elands River.  Note that further progress requires a CNC permit.

If following the road to the saddle overlooking the Elandspad farm, there is a turnoff to the left and short way up this, a path to the left leads up to the Pinnacle with good views of the valley.  Note that further progress requires a CNC permit.

Local Walks - but Needing Permits

Any walks other than those mentioned above do require either permission from the farmer or from Cape Nature Conservation (CNC). Do not walk on the farmer’s property other than the access road and path to the hut or Agtertafelberg without permission, as it is essential we retain a good rapport with the farmer.

Route to Agtertafelberg Hut

Take the path past the pool to the Elandspad Road, which is reached in some 15 minutes. Walk up along the road and over the saddle (a further 30 minutes), and turning right some 300m further along the road, pass between the labourers' cottages and down to the trout hatchery, reached after a further 20 minutes. The road leads to the Klaarstroom river crossing after 30 minutes, with a good water supply but only requiring wading after heavy rains, and passes over the second saddle an hour later. The turnoff to the hut is some 10 minutes down the road, reached just as you approach a rocky outcrop on the left side of the road. The path branches off to the right across a grassed slope, turns left before a stream and following down the stream, crosses a suspension bridge and then rises to the hut overlooking the river.  Total time taken is usually less than three hours.

NATURAL FEATURES

Places and Points of Interest on our Property

The Bob Cray dam just above the pool is accessed via a path above that leading to the pool, and was built some 50 years ago. It provides the water supply to the pool, shower and drinking/ ablution areas.

There are two areas on the stream below the hut worth visiting, accessed by walking back to the car park and turning left at the bottom of the stairs.  There is an open area with grass, and a shaded area just upstream under the wild almond trees.

Various trees have been planted on the premises as originally there was no shade other than a few protea bushes (see Ralph Taylor’s photograph at the front of the 1949 Journal).