Graskop

Graskop is the gateway to the Panorama Route

The first modern records relating to the town of Graskop date back to 1843, with the arrival of the Voortrekkers in the area. They were searching for a route to the coast, to what is known today as Maputo in Mozambique. In the 1850s, the farm Graskop (so named because of the vast tracts of grassveld and absence of trees in the area) was owned by one Abel Erasmus, who leaves his name on a pass over the Escarpment.

Gold was discovered in the Graskop region in the 1870s, although finds were not as dramatic or lucrative in Graskop as elsewhere locally. Prospectors abounded, and it was only as recently as 1996 that the last of the colourful full-time prospecting characters decided to hang up his pan. However, the activity remains an enjoyable tourist pursuit in the area.

A railway spur from Nelspruit running through the farm of Sabie and onto Graskop was begun in early 1910. This railway line was completed and ready for the opening ceremony on the 18th of June, 1914. Graskop was declared a town later the same year.

Graskop grew gradually over the twentieth century, developing a specialisation in forestry after the recession of the 1950s. It has always attracted a constant flow of tourists. In the early days and despite the gravel roads, many of which became virtually impassable during the rainy season, the unspoilt splendour of the region has been a consistent drawcard. In the middle of the century, the Bourkes Luck Potholes - already a prominent attraction - was spanned by swing bridges.

Today Graskop has fifteen accommodation choices, ten restaurants and a huge variety of curios shops. Our selection of hotels is here. These combine with the centrality of the town in the region to make Graskop the "Gateway" to the Panorama Route.

A lovely scenic village on the Drakensberg escarpment at the centre of a substantial timber industry. The village is an ideal base from which to explore the surroundings areas as it is close to God’s Window, Pilgrim’s Rest, the Blyde River Canyon and it’s nature reserve, various beautiful waterfalls and picnic sites.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Johannesburg (N12 to Witbank) 127 km, Pretoria (N4 to Witbank) 103 km. continue on N4 to Belfast 87 km, Belfast to Dullstroom 35 km, Dullstroom to Lydenburg 58 km, Lydenburg to Sabie 56 km, Sabie to Graskop 30 km

Altitude

Graskop 1430 m, God’s Window 1650 m, Wonderview 1730 m, Sabie 1120 m above sea level

Average Rainfall

God’s Window 3000 mm, Graskop over 2500 mm per annum. Rainfall months November to March

Average Temperatures

Summer 22°c; winter 18°c

Banks

Absa Agency, Fnb (ATM’s 2)

Dams

Blyde River Canyon

Mountains

Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment

Rivers

Blyde and Treur Rivers

NATURE

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

This reserve was proclaimed in 1965 and covers an area of approximately 30 000ha. It stretches from the Pinnacle viewpoint in the south through Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Three Rondawel viewpoint, around the Swadini Dam and into the west towards the Ohrigstad Valley. The reserve is characterised by striking rock formations of sedimentary origin, deposited in ancient geological times. Hard quartzite layers are seen today as sheer cliff faces in the canyon, while softer shales have weathered to form the inclined slopes between. The reserve represents a transition zone for the flora of the different veld types occurring. The rich and varied plantlife is influenced by extremes in altitude, climate and soil conditions. The rich patchwork of diverse plant communities supports an equally rich variety of animal life. The mist belt is caused by warm, moist air rising up from the Lowveld and cooling at these high elevations, resulting in misty, cloudy conditions and relatively high rainfall.

The Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Millions of years ago, the Treur River met the Blyde River at just the right angle, causing whirlpool movements in the stream. The scouring action of rocks and sand caught up in these whirlpools, resulted in smooth sided cylindrical potholes carved out of quartzite. There were many more potholes than we see today, but as the whole system became deeper from the top down through this weathering process, many joined and some disappeared altogether. The potholes you see today are about 50 million years old. The drop from the top of the bridge to the water level is about 30 m. an individual pothole seldom becomes deeper than 6 m. signs of old potholes can still be seen to your right as you cross the western bridge over the Blyde River. The Bourke’s Luck pothole system is the beginning of the 26 km Blyde River Canyon which ends at the Blyde Dam.

Graskop Gorge and Panorama Waterfall

The amazing thing about this waterfall is that it’s source is only 3 km away on the other side of the town. At times not a drop of water can be seen, but after heavy rainstorms up to seven separate falls come thundering over the edge of the ravine.

Natural Rock Bridges

A natural rock bridge, caused by centuries of water erosion, has the distinction of having withstood the onslaught of 20 ton trucks thundering over it at 80 km / h for at least 30 years

Pinnacle

Free standing rock pillar of quartzite

Scenic Routes

There are a number of scenic routes starting at Graskop, which takes a tourist to some of the most beautiful sights in the Lowveld. The first route is 129 km long and starts and finishes in Graskop and along the way the following sights are worth stopping at: The Pinnacle, God’s Window, Wonder View, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lowveld Viewpoint and the Three Rondawel Viewpoints. The ‘Smooth’ Panorama Routes Takes the tourist to Ohrigstad River Valley, Voortrekker Graves, Voortrekker Fort, Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve, Robber’s Pass and Pilgrim’s Rest. The ‘Rough’ Panorama Route A 143 km route to The Vaalhoek Road, Pilgrim’s Rest and The Natural Bridge. Another route will take you through the Hoedspruit area to the Cheetah and Moholohola Projects.

Waterfalls

Berlin Falls, Lisbon Falls, Fann Falls, Graskop Falls, Tufa Falls.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Forest to Falls Mountain Bike Race – May

Diggers Marathon – August

God’s Window Half marathon – October

Arts

Works of well known artists such as Cornelius Bosch, Munro and Malachi Smith can be seen in the ‘Artists’ Village and other informal galleries.

Aventura Resort Blydepoort

The awe-inspiring beauty of the Blyde River Canyon and the magnificent views of the escarpment and Lowveld make this resort unique. Nature lovers will revel in the region’s wealth of plant and birdlife. Only 4 – 5 hour’s drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg, this resort with it’s rustic chalets is the ideal starting point from which to explore the region. The resort offers a well stocked supermarket, filling station and bottle store. Entertainment facilities include swimming pools, a 9 hole golf course (clubs for hire), all weather, floodlit tennis courts, hiking trails and horse riding.

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

The start of the Blyde River Canyon. Cylindrical potholes caused by swirling whirlpools.

God’s Window

1730 m above sea level, view over the Lowveld.

Light Aircraft Flips

Lowveld & Three Rondawels Viewpoint

ACTIVITIES

Hiking Belvedere (8 km), Blyde River Canyon (65 km, 5 days), Fanie Botha (73 km, 5 days), Forest Falls (4 km), Jock of the Bushveld (8 km, 3 hours). Through mountain veld to the edge of the escarpment, along a stream named ‘Tumbling Waters’, through a forest of weirdly shaped rocks, and back to the start at the Graskop Tourist Park.

Secretary Bird Walk (1 – 2 hours)

Tree Fern Trail (3 km ramble to Panorama Falls and Gorge or 12 km forest and river hike)

Outdoors

4 x 4 Trails, Horse Riding, River Rafting

WHERE TO STAY

Summit Lodge

Situated in the picturesque town of Graskop, 17 km from Pilgrim’s Rest, 5 km from God’s Window and the Blyde River Canyon – 3^rd largest canyon in the world. Many hiking trails, birds, small game, plants and waterfalls makes the area a must. Offered: Garden Rooms, with bathrooms, B&B, a la carte, pub, games room, swimming pool, lush garden. The Backpackers’ Train Coach is unique and very popular for budget conscious tourists.

Accommodation in and around Graskop