Zuurberg Doringhek Trail - Addo Elephant National Park (Zuurberg/Addo)

This reverse version of the 5hr Doringhek Zuurberg trail starts at the Addo Elephant National Park Zuurberg office. This section of the park is away from the main Addo section of the National Park and has none of the larger dangerous animals one can expect whilst doing a game drive in the main Addo section. At the gate one has to pay a conservation fee at the office where the trail starts (wildcards free at time of writing). The trail when done in reverse then ascends and follows the headland with sweeping views of mountains to the North and South. The trail at this point follows the jeep track and one is rewarded with good Fynbos, different to that of the cape and garden route. High on this ridge one can also see the rare and highly localized Zuurberg cycad as well as the Karoo Cycad. After waking on the undulating hills the trail then descends toward thicker vegetation with mountain aloes, with further descent one reaches a forest biome with Outeniqua yellowwood trees, kiepersol trees and other familiar forest species. The sound of Loeries and Trogons could be heard all over but unfortunately we didn't catch any more than a glimpse of them. After a short walk in the forest one reaches ottos pool, here there is a picnic bench under a large yellowwood tree. The pool is quite large and is a good spot for a swim on a warm day (be on the lookout for snakes as we saw one on the headland and one slithered right past us at the picnic spot) . Thereafter the trail follows a jeep track through open meadows with thorn trees and enters forest once again. Shortly thereafter one stumbles across the milky blue spectacular pool known as Blougat. This is a great place to stop and swim it even has a small Waterfall at the top of the pool. The light blue, which I suspect is limestone dissolved in the water is rather unique in South Africa and a welcomed sight. After Blougat one follows the meandering of the Witterivier through pristine forest for most of the way. In reverse take care to go up the horse trail at the signpost marked as following the arrow will take you back towards ottos pool.and up the way you descended (can be hit and no shade). Once you zig zag and cross the Witterivier a few times the trail will eventually ascend and zig zag through well shaded forest. Then nearing the top the bush will clear to Fynbos again and then it's a short push to the parking lot where you would've started out. This is a great day out, different and very scenic trail covering a few biomes and isn't too difficult. Please note that although the trail states 12km it is actually a bit longer so keep that in mind. Also note in summer it can get very warm, we completed it in 35 degree weather and that made it much more challenging than it would be in cooler temperatures. Sun exposure is extreme in summer so sunblock and ample hydration is essential. Our decision to do the trail in reverse meant a more gentle incline at the end of the trail which was mostly under canopy for shade, we found this worked well and aren't sure why the official route is the other way around. It makes sense to save the forest and covered part of the trail for the heat of the day. That being said this would work well in either direction. Overall a great trail, scenic, interesting, moderate difficulty as it is long. The trail surrounds are very safe, out of the way, and well managed by national parks I would say the biggest risk here is the snakes but use hiking poles and be vigilant in summer months. Other than that this one should be enjoyable and scenic.