I'm
a writer of popular science and technology books and
articles, a former Professor of Communication whose
hobby is now "backyard astronomy" with history thrown
in! I'm a keen mountain-biker and kayaker, so the
Dome and Vaal River are my playground.
Karen Addison
researcher
I'm
a former teacher who has worked with Graeme on many
aspects of science & local history research, and I have
got to know the Dome by preparing the maps and data used
in our various presentations. My passions are mountain
running and education. I manage Otters' Haunt.
Mountains form the focus of the Vredefort Dome World
Heritage Site, from which this trail gets its name. This
lovely and varied hiking trail can be walked on a variety of
routes that include open veld, granite koppies, mountain
paths and riverside paths. Photos in the gallery below were
taken on several different hikes and they show the great
variety of trail options. Duration and distances range
between 6km over 2-3 hours, to as much as 18km over a whole
day with stops for refreshments and scenic views.
Choice of route depends on what you want to do, your level
of fitness, and your interest in the ecology, geology and
history of the Vredefort Dome with its surrounding Bergland.
All of the pathways and tracks are on private land and can
only be accessed with permission from the owners who charge
entry fees. We have arranged permissions and can provide an
expert to guide you, an option worth taking because the Dome
is a complex scientific phenomenon that requires
explanation. We pause at interpretative sites to describe
the trees, birds, fascinating archaeology and more recent
history of the area.
Otters' Haunt and Kopjeskraal Lodge - respectively the
starting and ending points of the trail - are in the process
of registering the route as an official marked trail. This
does not mean that the entire public have open access; it
remains private, but it does mean that we are developing the
wilderness information (such as tree and rock
identifications) that make the trail an enriching experience
on guided walks.
If you decide to go it alone, with only a sketch map and our
initial briefing to guide you, please observe the basic
rules: close farm gates, respect the environment by taking
nothing and leaving nothing, and make sure that you are on
properties for which permission has been given. We will
arrange your access in advance so
contact us to make arrangements.
I'm
a writer of popular science and technology books and
articles, a former Professor of Communication whose
hobby is now "backyard astronomy" with history thrown
in! I'm a keen mountain-biker and kayaker, so the
Dome and Vaal River are my playground.
I'm
a former teacher who has worked with Graeme on many
aspects of science & local history research, and I have
got to know the Dome by preparing the maps and data used
in our various presentations. My passions are mountain
running and education. I manage Otters' Haunt.
Otters' Haunt and Kopjeskraal Lodge - respectively the
starting and ending points of the trail - are in the process
of registering the route as an official marked trail. This
does not mean that the entire public have open access; it
remains private, but it does mean that we are developing the
wilderness information (such as tree and rock
identifications) that make the trail an enriching experience
on guided walks.
