Traverse of the Gods

Route Description:

Start from Kloof Nek or park near the Cable Station and walk along Tafelberg Road to the entrance of the Waterworks. Take the path that leads up to Kloof Corner and at the "band stand" right on the corner, drop down 3 - 4m to start the traverse. Continue south below the main rock bands of Kloof Buttress for about 250m, until reaching the first easy break up through the rock band to a broad grassy major ledge. If you reach a ravine, you've gone too far - come back about 100m.

Scramble about 50m up this break to a grassy ledge through easy broken ground, but take care as there is loose rock and bush (Grade 3 to 4). Upon reaching the ledge, traverse through a prominent cave and onto the major prominent ledges in the middle of the rock cliffs on Kloof Buttress.

Continue along these ledges, gradually working your way up to a higher ledge directly below the top cliffs. On the right hand corner of Kloof Buttress you will see a rock platform high up on the right hand crest, as the buttress turns back toward Cairn Ravine. Scramble up to that platform on easy rock. 

Once there, the traverse proper begins, and the classic dassie traverse is clearly visible. Climb down a few meters and traverse across, then climb up an awkward step to reach a ledge just before the dassie traverse. (Grade 5 or "C" standard and very exposed. Most hikers may prefer the comfort of a rope, even though there is only one difficult move.)

The dassie traverse is relatively easy, but climbing into it to lie down is awkward and exposed, and you will have to remove your backpack. It is 10 meters long with a very small exit of only 26cm in height. You will finish up a narrow ledge that continues around towards Cairn Ravine. Take care on the exit ledge as although it is broad, there is loose rock underfoot.

Some amusing "dassie" tales: On one memorable outing, a fair lady (who shall remain anonymous), commented as she exited that she had 'lost her bra" and proceeded to pull out various bits of shredded elastic! A few ladies later, there was an exclamation "my pants are coming off". "Don't worry", says the helpful gent behind, "I'll bring them"! The crawl is hard on clothing... 

An alternative to the narrow crack is to traverse on the outside. This requires one leg in and one leg out, hanging over a severe drop. On another trip, one of the climbers said they suffered from claustrophobia and could not possibly go into the narrow dassie traverse. But faced with the alternative of the outside traverse, acrophobia overcame claustrophobia and they did the dassie crawl!