Nature and Hiking in the McGregor Area.
McGregor has a great deal for the nature lover. The village is situated some 245m above sea level, in a bowl surrounded by rolling hills and lofty mountains. Tributaries of the Breede River, flowing from the Riviersondereind Mountains, pass near the village. In the summer these are fairly dry, but in winter they flow freely.
Good places to start are McGregor's own Krans Nature Reserve and, for a terrific view over the village, the Kleinberg Trail. Also well worth a visit is the nearby Vrolijikheid Nature Reserve.
The area experiences high temperatures during summer, so please avoid the heat where possible, wear a sun hat, and take plenty of water. In the unlikely event of a snake bite, stay calm, try and identify the snake responsible for the bite and rush the victim to the nearest available medical facility. For advice on all cases of envenomation call: Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, 021 938 6084 (office hours), 021 9316129 (24 hours); Red Cross Children's Hospital, 021 658 5428/ 689 5227; Netcare Poison Centre, 0800 333 444 (toll free).
This is an easy, 2hr walk up Badge Hill - you can spot the hill from the village as it is carries the McGregor crest. To get there you leave McGregor by the old Robertson dirt road, pass the brick works, and the sign posted trail starts on the right. No need to drive to the start of the trail; walking out from the village is half the fun!
Situated just outside the village, this is being developed with the co-operation of the local municipality. Funds have been given by the Rowland and Leta Hill Trust under the auspices of WWF South Africa. The McGregor Heritage Society is presently much involved in this task.
McGregor Tourism Bureau
Vrolijkheid, situated about 5 Km from McGregor on the Robertson road, is mainly concerned with the breeding of small game, dealing with problem animals and preservation of flora and fauna.They also maintain and control of hiking trails and bird hides in the area.
The Friends of Vrolijkheid (FoV) is a community-based group aimed at supporting the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve and the broader conservation community.
The Kingsriver Kloof Trail provides a gentle hike, starting at the guest house, curling up the beautiful, water-eroded ravine, past rock pools, waterfalls and large caves, and opening out to one of the largest dams in the area. It is ideal for nature watching or a picnic.
Kingsriver Wine Estate
This 14km trail winds through the Riviersonderend Mountains in the Robertson Karoo region, and links the towns of McGregor in the north and Greyton in the south. It passes through the Riviersonderend Conservation Area, which is a declared mountain catchment area comprised of state land and private property.
Located near Robertson, Dassieshoek has some spectacular mountain walks. Should you just wish to enjoy the wild environment without a hike, there is a large braai nearby the car park. The reserve is open on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun, from 08:00 - 18:00.
Robertson Tourism Bureau | 023 626 4437
This is a two-day circular route of 25km. It begins and ends in Genadendal at the historic Moravian Mission Church, which dates back to 1738, and leads through private property and the conservation area on both sides of the Riviersonderend mountain range.
021 483 0190
There are many excellent hikes and mountain bike trails near McGregor or within a short driving distance. The following are a few of the best.