Barrydale Waterfall Hiking Trail route

Barrydale Trails are all on private property. To ride these route you need to buy a permit at the Barrydale Art Karoo Hotel. Permits must be displayed at all times.

An out and back trail that climbs gently up the valley behind the town. The last 100 m are a steep scrambly descent towards the most amazing pool and waterfall. Take adequate water as the only resupply is at half way.

Start: Parking Area for Barrydale Hiking Trail at the extension of Claassen Street. From the R62 drive down Tinley Road, through the dip and up the other side past the Barrydale Public Clinic. Tinley turns into Wilger Ave. Turn left into Jakaranda Ave and then right into Eike Avenue. As Eike Ave turns right, turn left into Protea Ave and then second left into Claassen St. Continue past the last houses and look for the sign to the Barrydale Hiking Trail (3 km).

Hike: Use the stile to cross the fence and follow the single-track trail on the other side. The trail hugs a fence on your left-hand side for a few hundred meters. Cross another stile (400 m) and continue up the path. This ascends gently up a broad valley. Enjoy the Restios, Proteas and Erica species along the way.

The path is fairly well defined with the odd rock cairn along the way. It is worth turning around to admire the view of the town every now and again.

After 4 km you will reach a split in the path. The wooden sign indicates your left turn to the ‘Waterfall’ and ‘Grootvadersbosch’ straight on (you can find a description for this trail on another leaflet).

Turn left towards the stream bed which you have seen some distance off to your left the entire way. You will reach a cliff after 800 m. Traverse along this towards the right until the path descends. Halfway down there is a vague branch off to the left around a corner at a rock step. Follow this scramble over rocks to a wonderful pool at the base of the waterfall. A swim seems mandatory.

Reverse the same route back to your start.