Elandsberg - "Liggie" trail  - 13,93km

The Elandsberg hiking trail is a circular route which can be done in 5 - 8 hours.  Take the gravel road to Knuyswagensdrift, north of the town and after about 2,5km, turn left at the signboard. Drive through the drift to the foot of the mountain and park at the starting point where there is an information kiosk.   The trail follows the firebreak at the foot of the mountain for the first 1,5 km before it starts to ascend.  The highest point is close to Stanleys "Liggie" at 1500m above sea level.  The difference between the top and bottom of the trail is 792m (2600ft), making it a stiff climb.      No permit needed.

Take note:

1    Take water and something to eat along, as well as warm clothing.  The mountain can be covered very quickly with fog and a drop in temperature.

2    Wear good hiking shoes or boots - no canvas shoes

3   It there is snow on the mountain, there will be ice on the, requiring the utmost caution

4   If unfit, rather try some easier routes

Towersig -  2,7 - 12,2 km

The trail  start near the hospital and the town's water reservoirs.  It snakes over the low-lying hills above the town and consists of various routes, the shortest being 2,7km and the longest 12,2km.  Signage with regards the identification of the vegetation has been placed along the route. Some of the flora appearing along the route are:  Sand Olive (dodonaea angustiflora), Kapok bush (Eriocephalus ericoides), Cow Tongue (Gasteria disticha), Num Num (Carissa bispinosa), Protea Repens  (Sugarbush) and many more.   Take water along and during summer, watch out for snakes, especially pufadders, as they are very lazy to get out of the way!   No permit needed.

Springvale - 3km

A well-defined hiking trail taking about 1½ hours, takes one up the hill overlooking the farm and Dwarsrivier Valley, with a spectacular view of Towerkop and the valley.   Succulent Karoo as well as fynbos can be found along the trail.  (Contact:  Johan van der Vyver Tel: +27(0)28 551 2014:  e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Die Eike - 15km

This hidden gem lies 10km west of Ladismith off the Laingsburg road.  The hilly route runs for 15km through a game enclosure with 8 different game species and takes about 4½ - 5 hours to complete.  In the beginning it follows the old Makkadas railway track, which was demolished after the 1981 Laingsburg flood, for a short distance.  A steady climb takes one to the top of the highest hill and from the Viewpoint one has a 360º vista of the mountains, dams and valleys with orchards and vineyards.   The hills are abound with a wide variety of typical succulent Karoo vegetation and a botanist's dream!  Interesting coloured rocks and stones are to be found all over the place.   The route runs at some stage along the border of the Ladismith Nature Reserve.  There is an abundance of birdlife around the dams in the late afternoon.  There is one picnic site with water on the route and more waterstops are being planned.  (Contact:  Johan van der Vyver:  Tel:  +27(0)28 551 2014; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )