Up and into the Echo Ravine

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What better way could there be to ring in the first day of a new year than exploring new places? Especially after ending 2014 on a literal high atop the Brandwag Buttress? That’s why Marilize and I decided to undertake the Echo Ravine trail at Golden Gate Highlands National Park that day (Joubert was out exploring other pastures in Golden Gate with his grandpa), a walk we’ve not done before. We were not disappointed that we did, the scenery on the way to, and inside, the ravine is simply awe-inspiring and in our view this is one of the best short (taking an hour or two to complete) walks in the Park. It’s not an easy walk, requiring you to clamber over boulders at several stages, especially as you near the head of the ravine, but the rewards are entirely worth the effort.

Into a copse of Ouhout Trees at the start of the trail
Which way to go?
Scenery on the way
Upwards and onwards
Upwards and onwards
Romance in the ravine – Heady Maiden moths
The vegetation gets denser as the ravine’s walls come closer
The vegetation gets denser as the ravine’s walls come closer
The vegetation gets denser as the ravine’s walls come closer
Small mountain stream flowing through the ravine
The walls are closing in
The walls are closing in
Clinging to life
The walls are closing in
Small mountain stream flowing through the ravine
At the head of the ravine
Looking back out of the gorge
Looking back out of the gorge
Don’t lose the way
Small mountain stream flowing through the ravine
Clinging to life
Water falling from the overhanging rocks above

35 thoughts on “Up and into the Echo Ravine”

  1. Pingback: Echo Ravine in The Golden Gate National Park – London Traveller

  3. Pingback: Summer at Golden Gate | de Wets Wild

  9. perdebytjie

    Pragtig,Dries!Mens voel sommer die atmosfeer daar.Ek hou veral van die een waar die waterdruppels oor die rand spat.

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  13. iAMsafari.com

    Wow, these are really wonderful rock structures. Gets the ravine still fully filled with water or has it been carved by a once more powerful stream? Your story reminds me of the fact that we (still) have the best hikes when we’re just the two of us – although it’s getting better 🙂

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      The ravine must have been carved out of the sandstone over millions of years Maurice. I’m sure the little stream flowing through it must swell a lot after a good downpour, but not enough to fill the gorge.

      Indeed, as our children grow bigger the options available for experiencing nature also expands.

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