Zuurberg Hiking Trail
By Suzanna Pautz - Take A Walk Hiking Club
Addo Elephant National Park
The Zuurberg mountains lie to the north of Addo Elephant Park. The trail falls within the national park and is safe for hiking, as there are no elephants or lions in this section. If you plan it right, you can do a hike and a game drive through Addo on the same day!
2km and 14km trails on offer
Moderate yet challenging trail
Merrell hiking shoes; sun protection & a hiking stick
Route:
There are two circular trails, the longer Doringnek trail (14km) and the shorter Cycad trail (2km).
Ask for a map or take a photo of the map on the wall at the trails office.
The trail is typically walked in an anticlockwise direction, which means the hike ends at 5 km on an exposed hillside with no shade. Even in winter, the midday temperature at Addo can skyrocket. We like to hike it clockwise, so in the cold morning we are in the warm sunlight up on the ridge and by the heat of midday we are under the cool cover of the forest.
There are two pools along the route. Otto’s Pool is great for a snack stop, as there are benches and large shady trees. It’s a little tricky to access the water for swimming here, though.
Then there is Blougat, which is a small pool with a mountain stream tumbling into it. What makes it so special is the ice blue colour of the water. This is due to the high mineral content of the water, which reflects the sky. If the sky is clear, the water is an icy blue. If the sky is overcast, the water is cloudy white. It’s a great swimming spot.
Follow The Route
Field Notes:
This trail has 500m of elevation. There are some steep switchbacks where a trekking pole would be helpful. Comfortable shoes are a must as you’ll be on your feet for around 4-5 hours. Our group finds the Agility Peak 5 and Moab very comfortable for long days.
Join Our Hiking ClubTrail Log:
Zuurberg Hiking Trails are in SAN Parks. When you arrive, there are a few forms to complete, and you need to present your ID. The daily conservation fee is R105 (2025 rates) or free if you have a Wild Card. SAN Parks is cashless.
If you need to contact them, there is no phone at the Zuurberg office, and all queries must go through Addo Main Camp Reservations on 082 471 0267
The best part of this hike is that the conservation fee for Zuurberg also covers Addo Elephant Park. So after our hike, we always take a game drive through Addo on our way home.
