Holkrans Hike

Holkrans Hike, scenery and bridge

By Vicky · Published Mar. 4th, 2021 · Updated Nov. 23rd, 2022

Holkrans hike is an absolutely gorgeous short trail, especially with the late afternoon sun turning everything it touches to gold.

Start of the Holkrans hiking trail
Start of the Holkrans hiking trail.

Location

Holkrans hike starts from Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets. You can park here even if you’re not staying in the hotel. It’s 5 minutes drive from Glen Reenen Rest Camp.

Holkrans Hiking Trail Map

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Tips

  • There are a few ladders (on top of rock, not steep)- if you don’t want to go up these you can come back the same way.
  • The hotel where this hike starts also has a bar, coffee lounge and restaurant if you’re hungry and thirsty when you get back.
  • Check out the great Wodehouse Peak Trail, a longer hike nearby.
  • Find out more about the park in our guide to Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

The Holkrans hiking trail starts out of the car park of the Golden Gate Hotel. It leads straight towards a gorgeous sandstone enclave, which looks like a dead end. At the base of the cliffs is a cave overhang. On your left is a wooden step ladder leading gently up a shallow rock face. This is the way the route continues. If you don’t want to walk up the ladder, you can head back the way you came.

Ladder on the walk
Ladder on the Holkrans hiking trail.

At the top of the ladder, you’re on the side of the cliffs. From here you have amazing views over the valley below. The path has some fun walkways, including wooden bridges attached to the edge of the rock face. These make the walking easy, even though you’re on a steep rock face.

Beautiful light on the trail
Beautiful light and sandstone.

South Africa Travel Book

While roaming the back roads and national parks in our ‘trusty’ Defender, I wrote a book about our adventures, check it out on Amazon*.

We climbed misty mountains, camped in empty deserts, sunbathed on tropical beaches, and saw wildlife galore under the hot African sky.

There are also some caves to explore, again with dramatic views. You continue along at the same height, before descending down to the grassy slopes.

Cave on Holkrans hike trail
Cave on Holkrans hiking trail

Nearer the hotel, you can either cut back to the parking lot directly or continue round a few hundred metres further to arrive at the opposite end of the hotel to the start of the hike. When we were there, we saw quite a few baboons chilling at the hotel, but not many people.


If you are interested in other hikes and things to do nearby, check out the longer Wodehouse Peak Trail or our guide to Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

A bench on the Holkrans trail
A bench on the Holkrans trail.

2 comments

    1. Hi, you do not need to book to do the Holkrans Hike. The only hikes in the park you need to book are the Cathedral Cave Hike (which is guided) and the Ribbok Hiking Trail (which is a two-day hike). You can freely access the start of the Holkrans Hike, but you’re meant to pay park conservation fees at the park office before you start.

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