Tourism and Information

Groendal Wilderness Area

The Groendal Wilerness, South Africa’s fifth wilderness area, was officially opened by S.P. Botha, former Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, on 14 Febuary 1976.

Groendal lies at the eastern extremity of the Winterhoek Mountains, approximately 40 km north-west of Port Elizabeth.

It constitutes 30% of the catchment of the Zwartkops River; and the Groendal Dam, situated in the middle of the wilderness, supplies 63% of Uitenhage’s domestic water.

Groendal, no less than 28 916ha in extent, is the third largest proclaimed wilderness in South Africa and the only legally proclaimed one in the Eastern Cape. Groendal has been forestry or conservation land since 1896; but fortunately the terrain and unpredictable climatic conditions made it unsuitable for production forestry.

Historically the Wilderness Area was the refuge of the Khoi-San people, wedged between the indigenous tribes of the Eastern Cape and the European settlers moving up from the west.

Evidence of their presence in the area is well documented in the form of hundreds of paintings on the walls of the innumerable caves and shelters within the area. All paintings, archaeological artefacts, and arcaeological sites are protected by law, and the preservation of the San paintings is of national importance.

The northers section of the Wilderness Area forms part of the eastern extremity of the Groot Winterhoek Mountains. Strydomsberg is the highest peak at 1 180m and the lowest point along the boundary at the Elands River is 107m.

The following five hiking routes are available to hikers within the Groendal Wilderness Area:

MARKED TRAILS:

• Blindekloof: This is a day trail of only 16km (4hrs. hiking) and relatively easy going. The trail starts at the office parking area.
• Zwartkops River: This is a short clearly marked circular trail route approximately 4km long, and was created especially for visitors to the Rooikrantz picnic area.

UNMARKED WILDERNESS AREA:

• Upper Blindekloof: A two-day wilderness hike which is 32km long, and recommended for hikers who are relatively fit.
• The Dam Route: A two-day wilderness route, approximately 32km in length. This is a serious route and hikers need to be fit. There are three beautiful pools in which to swim (Emerald pool, Breakfast pool and Eel pool)

The terrain of this pristine wilderness, still in its unspoilt natural state, is rugged and mountainous, with a multitude of deep kloofs, flowing streams and clear pools.

Groendal is moreover situated at the junction of the four major plant communities in the Eastern Cape, namely Fynbos, Valley Bushveld, Evergreen Forest and Karoo.  It is also at the eastern extreme of the true Fynbos biome.  The merging of these communities creates a rich diversity of plant species: more than 2 000 species have been recorded so far.