Iron Crown
De Berg
Nooitgedacht-west
Toringkop
TRAIL
9 Peaks Know-how
If you ’ re thinking about tackling one or more of the nine highest peaks in each province of South Africa , here are some handy notes from the official 9 Peaks Challenge website . Participants in the challenge are urged to always act responsibly and safely , and to please be respectful to landowners and officials at the various peaks . Do not break the rules , or disrespect access arrangements , and respect those that have gone before you and those that still wish to follow .
Iron Crown
Province : Limpopo Peak Height : 2126m GPS : 23 ° 59 ’ 54.5 ″ S , 29 ° 56 ’ 48.5 ″ E
To ascend the Iron Crown is fairly straightforward . The peak is located near the town of Haenertsburg , in the Wolkberg area near Magoebaskloof , one of South Africa ’ s most beautiful mountainous regions , and has become the most popular starting point for the 9 Peaks Challenge .
Official Challenge : The correct approach starts in the plantation section below the peak towards the south . Your vehicle may not be driven to the top of the peak and must be left within 200 meters of the following coordinates : 24 ° 00 ’ 44.0 ″ S , 29 ° 56 ’ 48.0 ″ E
De Berg
Province : Mpumalanga Peak Height : 3321m GPS : 25 ° 12 ’ 33.7 ″ S , 30 ° 08 ’ 59.5 ″ E
Nooitgedacht-west
Province : North West Peak Height : 1816m GPS : 25 ° 50 ’ 57.8 ″ S , 27 ° 32 ’ 49.0 ″ E
Toringkop
Province : Gauteng Peak Height : 1913m GPS : 26 ° 30 ’ 38.6 ″ S , 28 ° 13 ’ 47.8 ″ E
Another fairly straightforward ascent , as a good road leads all the way to the summit . The peak is near the town of Dullstroom and is located on private land owned by a Conservation Trust and administrated by Northam Platinum . To arrange access , you need to contact the 9 Peaks Challenge administrator at least 10 days in advance for the necessary permission , and take note for your planning that access is often only granted during daylight hours .
Official Challenge : The correct approach starts at the gate as you leave the main road . The vehicle may not be driven to the top of the peak and must be left next to the gate ( not in front of it ) near the following coordinates : 25 ° 14 ’ 17.5 ″ S , 30 ° 08 ’ 15.2 ″ E .
This peak is located near Hekpoort in the Magaliesberg . A good road leads up the mountain , but this is on private land , so please drive slowly and carefully . To arrange access you need to contact the land manager at least 10 days in advance for the necessary permission . While the ascent is fairly straightforward , note that you will not be heading in the obvious direction . Many people get it wrong once they arrive near the top and think that the masts are the obvious location of the highest point , but these masts are actually in Gauteng Province . The exact location of the highest point has been discussed on many forums , and we are confident that after a few provincial boundary changes , we have the correct location indicated .
Official Challenge : The access gate to the property is at approximately 25 ° 52 ’ 10.0 ″ S , 27 ° 32 ’ 55.0 ″ E , and the correct approach starts from near the top of the concrete road . Please leave your vehicle just off the road near 25 ° 50 ’ 57.4 ″ S , 27 ° 32 ’ 00.0 ″ E , without obstructing any road access .
This is definitely the easiest of all the 9 peaks , as you can drive almost to the top on a good tar road and the walk is a mere 350m from your car to the summit . The peak is located in Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve , just off the N3 near Heidelberg . There is a good tar road in the reserve leading to the mountain , known as the Tourist Route , but it is a one-way , meaning you ’ ll need some extra time to drive around . Please take note of gate closing times , entrance fees and speed limits , and only drive on the tarred sections of road . Note that some sources refer to another point ( 26 ° 30 ’ 34.5 ″ S , 28 ° 15 ’ 32.8 ″ E ) as the highest in the reserve , but this point is actually 10m lower than Toringkop .
Official Challenge : Leave your vehicle just off the road below the summit , so as to not obstruct any other traffic , at the approximate location 26 ° 30 ’ 45.2 ″ S , 28 ° 13 ’ 52.4 ″ E .
58 ISSUE 161 | www . modernathlete . co . za