Haelkop is an exceptional viewpoint. Look over the world when you are on top: before you lies the whole peninsula, from Cape Point to Table Mountain, with Robben Island clearly visible (when the air pollution is not too bad!). False Bay, half obscured by Helderberg and the Somerset West valley lies spread out like a map before you. Far to the left lies the saw tooth of Klein Hangklip near Rooiels. Then the mountains: the high dome in the Hottentots Holland series is Somerset-Sneeukop, highest peak in this area (just one metre higher than Victoria Peak!) To the left of Sneeukop you can see two of the peaks of the Triplets. Look now to the opposite side of the valley. To the left of the Twins the Groot Drakenstein massif appears, with the well known saw tooth of du Toits Peak right behind Groot Drakenstein. Further to the left the Paarl valley, with the Voelvlei dam shining far in the background. To the right beyond the dam the two spires of the Groot- and Klein–Winterhoek Peaks pierce the air... From Cape Point to the Winterhoekberge - truly a scene to remember!
Extract from “Jonkershoek en sy Berge” by Ernst Lotz.
Haelkop has two routes which are worth climbing, and if one walks up one and down the other, you get a marvellous days climbing! The first route(THE WAY TO THE EVENT) begins in Sosyskloof and follows the South East ridge to the top (C)***. There is a path in Sosyskloof, which can be approached from different directions. Personally I prefer the one that begins a little beyond the lookout house, and then contours to the left into the ravine. It brings you, among other things, to the attractive waterfall where two beautiful hollys (ilex mites) stand with their feet in the stream. The watershed, which is at approximately 1000 metres, is reached after about 1 1/2 hours climb. The path ends there. Follow the watershed to the foot of the first rock step and walk to the right until it is again possible to work out to the left onto the ridge (cairns). The route then follows the ridge to the top. In one place you must struggle through the branches of a rambling yellowwood to the rock step that is responsible for the only C-pitch on the route. Climb the steep corner and then scramble to the small nek higher up. Scramble out to the right and keep quite far to the right to an easy place to climb down to the next neck. Further on the way is open and easy to find. Reckon on 1 ½ hours climb from Sosyskloof nek to the top.
Extract from “Jonkershoek en sy Berge” by Ernst Lotz.
Every route is given a rating, like that used by the Mountain Club of South Africa. This system of rating refers to the most difficult section on the route and relates to the technical difficulty and not how long it is, how exposed, or how tired it is going to make you. Over rating can be very contentious, but the following is used as an indication:
A: The easiest. You can do these routes with your hands in your pockets.
B: Includes easy rock sections. Here and there it may be necessary to use your hands.
C: The rocks get steeper and you need to take care where you put your hands and feet.
D: On routes of this standard ropes are normally used - not to pull each other up, just for mutual safety. Knowledge of rock climbing techniques is preferable.
E: Difficult rock! Knowledge of rock climbing essential.
F: Extremely difficult. Only for the most experienced rock climbers.
In this edition a star-rating is also given. There'll certainly be differences in opinion, but they give an indication of what to expect.
* One does such a route usually just once!
** Not wonderful, but has its moments.
*** Most pleasant. Would do it again.
**** Outstanding climbing-experience. Interesting and full of variety.
No star: Either a footpath, or the route is not known well enough to rate.
Extract from “Jonkershoek en sy Berge” by Ernst Lotz.