Rock Pools Trail
Run/Hike | 1.4 km | Moderate
Our shortest trail with a downhill hike to the Upper Rock Pools and and uphill return on the same route. Pack a picnic basket and bathing suit for a relaxing rest and swim at the rock pools.
Twin Rivers Trail
Run/Hike | 1.7 km | Easy
Suitable for young and old this easy trail provides for a relaxing hike around the Recreation Dam with a short climb along the cascading water of the dam's main feeder stream. Return home with a comfortable downhill hike through the old nursery orchards.
Vantage Point Trail
Run/Hike | 2.7 km | Easy
Arguably our most popular trail and suitable for young and old. An easy start past the Recreation dam followed by intermediate climbing through protea forest to the Vantage Point lookout with 360 degree view of Rusty Gate and Helderstroom Valley. Return home with a comfortable downhill hike.
Waterfall Trail
Run/Hike | 4.6 km | Moderate
The best all inclusive hiking experience at Rusty Gate. Hiking out to the waterfall follows part of Vantage Point trail through protea forest before veering of in the direction of Silverstream Dam and then a steep downhill to the waterfall. The return hike starts with steep climb out of the waterfall gorge to the Finger Rock. From there return home via Vantage Point lookout with magnificat view over the Helderstroom Valley and Silverstream Dam.
Gorge Trail
Run/Hike | 4.3 km | Hard
Our most challenging trail starting with a downhill hike through a narrow gorge along cascading water and rock pools. From the bottom of the gorge a steep meandering climb to the top of Vantage Point opens up to spectacular views of the Riviersonderend valley and Silverstream Dam in the nature reserve. From there it is an easy downhill hike back home past the Recreation Dam.
Crest Trail
Run/Hike | 6 km | Moderate
Our longest trail with an easy start following the Twin Rivers trail around the Recreation dam. Then an uphill hike to the crest of Rusty Gate Pass for a magnificent vista of Overberg from the Lookout Point. Return home downhill through protea forest and old nursery orchards.
Gorge-Waterfall Route
Run/Hike | 6 km | Moderate
The shortest of our trail running routes combines the Gorge and Waterfall trails. In spite of being the shortest of the trail running routes, the grading is based on technical difficulty for steep downhill and uphill running on the Gorge trail section.
Waterfall-Crest Route
Run/Hike | 9 km | Moderate
This intermediate trail running route includes the Waterfall and Crest trails. Although longer than the Gorge-Waterfall route, this route has an intermediate grading as the technical difficulty is not as challenging as the other two routes.
Gorge-Waterfall-Crest Route
Run/Hike | 12 km | Moderate
The longest of our trail running routes includes the Gorge, Waterfall and Crest hiking trails. The grading of this route is based on the technical running sections of the Gorge trail and overall distance with longer continuous uphill and downhill sections.