TRAIL NETWORK 
SWELLENDAM 

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> I would hike this route in a clockwise direction. The hardest bit of climbing is done in the first 2km and I prefer doing the hardest bit first. Stop every 10 minutes to catch your breath and enjoy the view. From 2km - 5km the route moves horizontally along the mountain in a Eastern direction (looking up the mountain that would be to your right). At 5km you will see a portion of the Buffeljags dam and the route makes a switchback as you start heading back to Swellendam. The second half (5km - 10km) of the hike will then be spent in shaded portions at the time of day when the sun is at its hottest. The segment of the route that is higher up in the mountain (0km - 5km if you hike clockwise) has little to no shade and if you start hiking early you can tackle this while the sun is still rising. One of the "paradise sections" (7.5km) of this route is where you disappear into the Wamakersbos. You will want to spend most of your time here - if you hike clockwise this will be in the final 2km of the route in the cool shade of indigenous forest. After Wamakersbos you have one last long (300m) uphill to conquer before you head home.

> Start hiking as early as possible. Just after sunrise is perfect. And remember sunscreen and a hat.

> Take 1x750ml bottle of water per person. You can fill it up at the streams.

> Eat something every 30 minutes. This could be an apple (other fruit), muffin, peanut-butter-and-honey sandwich, nuts, raisins, small packet of chips, biltong or dried fruit. If you are taking kids along - take some sweets. If motivation is required sweets work great.

> Children of 9 years old can hike this route if they are used to hiking - but remember to take somes sweets for bribing purposes. If this is your first hike in Marloth with children you should consider Koloniesbos or Duiwelsbos, which are easier hikes. Our boys of 9 & 10 years old hiked this route in just over 5 hours (breaks included) - they are used to hiking and have hiked Plaat-West and Plaat-East about 10 times. Wamakersbos is 50% harder than the two Plaat hikes.

> Children should not hike barefoot.

> There are two names floating around regarding this Route - Wamakersbos and Appelsbos. Both refer to the same route. One section of "bos" (forest) is called "Wamaker" (Wagon Builder) and the other "Appel" (the fruit that Eve gave to Adam). 

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