Trident

Venue Overview

Trident is an attractive kloof; its proximity to Johannesburg makes for a very pleasant day’s outing. Route finding is reasonable; you can orientate yourself without too much difficulty. Hiking is limited but pleasant with easy access up through the kloof to the upper reaches.  Water permanently flowing in the lower and upper reaches of the kloof. There is good birding and some magnificent trees. Watch out for nettle bushes. Access is restricted to Cavern Kloof only.

Permit / Permission info

Approx travel time from Jhb

Approx. 60 minutes. Access is from the northern side of the range only. It is some 20km west of Hartbeespoort Dam.

Parking info

Parking available in a fenced off area near a local landowner. While it is open to the public, no incidents reported to date. Parking fee is R40 per car, payable in cash. Money is deposited into a metal safety deposit box at the parking area.

Walk-in

Trident has an easy, short and pleasant walk-in, taking about 35 minutes. After a short walk past the local homesteads one follows a track that winds its way through shady bushveld trees with lots of birdlife barking. The track leads into the bottom of the kloof and it is then a short walk following the stream to the meet spot.

Accommodation

No camping available.

Availability of drinking water

Water is permanently available in the kloof, even in the dry months.

Climbing route guide

Route guide is available from MCSA Jhb Section.

Climbing info

There are about 100 climbs written up in the guide book. The majority of routes are trad with only a very few bolts having been placed. There is currently a moratorium on bolting in the Magaliesberg. Grades range from easy (7/9 – D/E1) to fairly difficult (23/H1). There are plenty of routes in the moderate grades of 15 – 20 (F2 – G2) with many three to four star lines. The routes in the upper section of the kloof are mostly on the True Right and generally two pitches in length, about 45 to 60 metres high. In the lower section of the kloof climbs are on the True Left and average 35 metres. Many of the more recently opened routes are single pitch climbs in the lower section and are around 25 to 30 metres long. Climbing is on both sides of the kloof although the majority are on the east side (true right) which enjoys sun later in the day. Descent is mostly by walking off although there are, in places, suitable trees to abseil down.

Child-friendly

The walk-in is gentle with no slopes or hills to climb or descend. Although there is no swimming there is space to run around. There are nettles about but these should not pose a problem. Please use your discretion.

Swimming

Swimming is not allowed as per the servitude agreement. The stream only flows in the lower part of the kloof, although in summer it may flow throughout the kloof. There are no significant pools.

Camp fires

Strictly no fires permitted.

Other attractions

Dangers

Contact details