Uitsoek Hiking Trail

The Uitsoek Hiking Trail is located 80 km from Nelspruit, near the Sudwala Caves, in Mpumalanga. It is 3 hour’s drive from JHB/ PTA. All trails starts at the Uitsoek Hut. (Base Camp).  There are two huts on this route.

Uitsoek Hut

  • Has 24 bunk beds, two ladies’ toilets and one toilet for the men,

  • Electricity and hot water.

  • Firewood and braai facilities are available.

  • NO pots, pans or any cutlery.

  • There is no Fridge or stove – plan accordingly.

  • Hikers must bring all own cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.

Lisabon Hut:

  • Has only 12 bunk beds.

  • There is no electricity or showers and only one toilet.

  • Hikers must provide their own utensils and gas stoves.

  • Firewood is available.

  • There is no Fridge or stove – plan accordingly.

  • Hikers must bring all own cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.

Trail Options: 

  • Houtbosloop two-night Back Pack trail

  • Beestekraalspruit day trail from and back to Uitsoek hut

  • Bakkrans day trail from and back to Uitsoek hut

Houtbosloop Two Night Back Pack Trail:

  • The trail is very difficult and NOT recommended for beginners!!.

  • Hikers walk through an indigenous forest, lowveld and sour bushveld.

  • This stunning trail starts at the Uitsoek Hut where you can park your car.

  • The first day’s route is demanding and includes a climb from the foothills to the plateau. Although the start is relatively steep, the trail later descends into a gorge with clivias – the perfect place to enjoy lunch. To get to the plateau edge from the gorge is a stiff climb.

  • The second day’s hike is downhill or level. The trail also takes hikers past the Bakkrans Waterfall.

  • Uitsoek Hut to Lisabon Hut – 15 km. Grading 9

  • Lisabon Hut to Uitsoek Hut – 14.5 km.Grading 6

Two Day Trails From And Back To Uitsoek Base Camp:

BEESTEKRAAL DAY TRAIL: 4 km

  • The route gently climbs through pine plantations, indigenous scrub forest to the cliff edge of the Beestekraalspruit, after which it descends gradually into the gorge with its riverine forest.

  • The route follows the Beestekraalspruit for about 4 km and crosses the stream 20 times by means of wooden bridges.

  • After leaving the stream, the trail gradually climbs to the starting point.

  • Distance: 11km Difficulty: Moderately difficult

BAKKRANS DAY TRAIL: 11km

  • Alternating between pine plantations above the Houtbosloop and indigenous scrub forests in the kloof, this circular trail of 11 km takes you to the Bakkrans Waterfall. 

  • The route winds through pine plantation above the Houtbosloop and through indigenous scrub forest in the gorges.

  • The trail passes the Bakkrans Waterfall, before returning to the base camp, crossing several small tributaries, feeding the Houtbosloop.

  • The first day’s route is demanding and includes a climb from the foothills to the plateau. Although the start is relatively steep, the trail later descends into a gorge with clivias – the perfect place to enjoy lunch. To get to the plateau edge from the gorge is a stiff climb.

  • The second day’s hike is downhill or level. The trail also takes hikers past the Bakkrans Waterfall.

  • Uitsoek Hut to Lisabon Hut – 15 km. Grading 9

  • Lisabon Hut to Uitsoek Hut – 14.5 km.Grading 6

RATES:

Item Price
Uitsoek Hut (per person per night) R225.00
Lisabon Hut (per person per night) R225.00
Houtbosloop Trail (per person per night) R225.00
Beestekraal Day Trail (per person) R225.00
Bakkrans Day Trail (per person) R225.00