Palmiet River

About

A beautiful pool-drop river flowing largely through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, offering unspoilt fynbos and sandstone mountain scenery. Water is tea-coloured (from the palmiets) but drinkable. Dam-controlled. Graded 3. Two put-in options: the low-level bridge on Monteith Trust farm (full 25km, permission via CWWC, phone before 9am Friday), or in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve (4km, accessed from R44 near the take-out; seasonal or day permit from CNC; 34°18'54.4"S 18°57'45.9"E). Take-out at the river mouth just after the R44 bridge. From the Monteith Trust put-in, long flat sections become a slog at low water, but the scenery and rapids make it worthwhile. Many paddlers opt for just the last short section, which has the highest rapid concentration. Shortly after the upper put-in, palmiets and vegetation choke the river; small channels are passable, but it is easier to get out on the right and walk about 1km. A nasty weir 4km in must be portaged on the right. Another 6km further a 6m sloped waterfall has been run on a very tight line — missing it leads to an inescapable pothole (class V+); portage on the left is strongly recommended. This waterfall sits near halfway and is a common lunch spot. Further down, a low-level bridge must be portaged on the left. The short bottom section has two weirs near the end with runnable lines at most levels — scout if unfamiliar. The last major rapid, just below the second weir, is long with small keeper holes and a nice surf hole in the middle. Beware sticky pour-overs at higher levels, which demand positive boofing. Several good playspots exist, the most well-known right at the take-out.

Access

Permits

Permission from Trust Farm when doing full section (contact CWWC). Seasonal or day permit from CNC for short section.

Commercial operators

• Gravity River Tours

Recent sessions