PROPERTIES — NORTH WEST
Hamerkop Kloof
"If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain."
Venue Information
Venue Overview | Hamerkop Kloof is a long kloof, the lower part of which is owned by the Hamerkop Mountain Trust while the upper part is privately owned, so off limits unless you have a permit from the landowner. The kloof is home to over 200 trad climbs along its length, of which most are grade 18 and below. Many of the routes are also one pitch long, making the area a safe and fun venue for people starting trad climbing. Hamerkop has one of the shortest walk-ins of any of the Magaliesberg kloofs, making it a popular crag for families with young children. |
Permit / Permission info | The lower section of Hamerkop Kloof – the boundary of which is marked by a water pipe leading into the kloof – is owned by members of the MCSA who have formed the Hamerkop Mountain Trust. The MCSA Jhb Section owns an access servitude for members; so no permission is required by MCSA members, provided the number of members on private meets doesn’t exceed 15 people, and that the MCSA’s one-member-one-guest rule is adhered to. Members wanting to climb in the privately-owned upper section of Hamerkop Kloof – beyond the water pipe boundary – must obtain a permit from the landowner, at a nominal cost of R20. Permits can be bought at the landowner’s gate, the entrance of which is 50m to the left of the gate leading into Hamerkop Kloof. Anyone without a permit is asked to please respect the landowner’s property. No permits are available for non-members. |
Approx travel time from Jhb | Approx. 90 minutes. |
Parking info | The designated parking area is under trees on the right side of the dirt road leading to the Hamerkop House and is considered safe. |
Walk-in | The walk in to Hamerkop Kloof is one of the shortest for a Magaliesberg trad climbing venue; about 20 minutes. |
Accommodation | No camping available. The Hamerkop Mountain Trust owns a house in the area (further along the dirt road from which the parking area branches), which is out of bounds. |
Availability of drinking water | There is a good constant supply of water throughout the year. |
Climbing route guide | Route guide is available from MCSA Jhb Section. |
Climbing info | There are over 200 trad climbs found along Hamerkop Kloof – including over 100 on MCSA property, many below grade 18 and just one pitch long – making it a superb kloof for beginners and socialising while climbing. Climbs can be found in either the sun or the shade. The longest climbs – 50 to 60 metres long are in the lower section of the kloof on the true right. There are a limited number of descent gullies, which (except for the pipe ramp, on the true right) are steep and have loose rock, so take care when walking off. |
Child-friendly | Yes – the walk in is relatively short, although it does involve some steep sections and river crossings. |
Swimming | The pools are too small to swim in, but are big enough to splash around in to cool off, especially for children. |
Camp fires | Strictly no fires permitted. |
Other attractions | |
Dangers | |
Contact details | Hamerkop access is restricted to each MCSA member taking one guest. No permits are available for non-members. Contact MCSA Jhb for more info. |
Disclaimer
Mountaineering (climbing and hiking) is de facto an activity which carries certain inherent risks. Neither the MCSA, nor any of its members or representatives accept responsibility for any deaths, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person or for any theft, loss or damage to any property that result from participation in MCSA activities, no matter in what manner caused and whether allegedly due to negligence or not.