Section(ownership/servitude): MCSA(servitude)

Coordinates: 32°51'27.49"S    19°12'37.06"E

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

During 1989, Mr Basson, the previous owner of the farm Bergstroom (then known as Sorgvliet), registered servitude in favour of the MCSA. This secured access for the MCSA to the Wydekloof property (farm number 453 on the 1/50000 topographic map 3319CC Keerom) on which Turret Peak lies. This was made possible through an initiative taken by the Tygerberg Section. The Tygerberg, Stellenbosch and Cape Town sections shared the cost (R2500 each) to obtain the servitude. This was necessary because the original route via the neighboring kloof Kaffersdal, as well as the favourite campsite under the trees with its idyllic swimming pool, was flooded by the building of an enormous dam. The dam rendered the access route through Mr Du Toit's farm Vredelus almost useless.

Lately the farm has been sold to the company Donkerbos Farms which owns several farms in the valley.

ACCESS ROUTES

Take the R321 route between Ceres and Citrusdal in a northerly direction. Turn left after passing a pine plantation about 60km from Ceres (12,5km from Op-die-berg).  The turn-off is clearly marked ‘Donkerbos’ and ‘Wydekloof’. Follow the newly built tarred road to the farm Donkerbos. Shortly you will pass through the security gate where access will be refused if the prior arrangements were not made. Take the turnoff to the right at the point where the tarred road ends. Follow the dirt road through a pear orchard for about 2km. Turn left and cross over the dam wall.

Drive past the farmhouse and gardens. Proceed through the gate to a big oak tree on the left-hand side of the road, approximately 100m past the farmhouse. Park under the tree clearly marked ‘MCSA parking’. On arrival the leader must notify the farm manager. Please hand a copy of the local newspaper to the farm manager (Die Burger asseblief). Every hiker visiting the area must complete the register in the steel box at the tree.

Leave the parking area through the southern gate. Proceed around the parking area along the farm road in the direction of the kloof. Walk past a dam. A sign ‘Disa Kloof’ marks the beginning of the footpath, which leads to the waterfall and the lower campsite.

The camping spot can accommodate eight to 10 people and is situated approximately 50m from the waterfall. The camping spot is about 30 minutes walk from the farm.

The route to the top of the waterfall and upper swimming pools starts about 100m from the waterfall on the north of the river. From the swimming pools, several routes can be followed to Turret Peak. Approximate walking time from the waterfall to the peak is between 2½ and 3½ hours.

An ideal camping site can be found between huge boulders approximately 200m north of Turret Peak next to a little stream.  The campsite can accommodate a large number of people.  Water can always be found here. Water can also be found in a little river to the south of the Peak.

The impressive ‘Turret’ as well as a cave facing east can be found in this area. The cave offers good protection from bad weather for six to eight persons.