The Kaapsehoop Wattles hiking trail is situated in the Ngodwana/Kaapsehoop area.
Although the trail is on plantation ground it doesn't lead through the pine forests very often. The plantations don't go right to the edge of the cliff, they leave some space for grassland and other indigenous trees and plants.
The first part of the trail descends down into a little valley with pine and indigenous forest. The trail follows the valley for quite a while before it makes a steep short exit. Now it contours along the cliff edge for a long time (mainly going slightly downhill). When the Starvation Creek valley has been reached the trail follows those contours but now it is all slightly uphill. A good lunch spot is the top of the waterfall of the Starvation Creek. From here it is further uphill, through some pine forest, a group of tree ferns and a wetland before you reach the Wattles hut.
The second day first leads you to the top of the plateau with mainly grassland before descending gradually partly through pine and blue gum forests. Then the trail joins the first part of the first day in reverse, going through the valley again.
Due to forest work the trail might be rerouted but is always well marked.

Base camp Barretts Coaches

Views after leaving the first valley

Contouring along the cliff edge

Some parts of the trail go through pine forest

A group of tree ferns

The Wattles hut in the forest

Grassland on the plateau

Back through the indigenous forest in the valley

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