Elands River – Waterval-Boven to Sappi
Elands River – Waterval-Boven to Sappi · lowveld
Grade
III
Length
22km
Duration
3 to 5 hours
Type
continuous
About
22km section, only worth paddling at medium to high water. Becomes fast and continuous when up. N4 follows the river the whole way, so multiple put-in and take-out options. Flash floods opened up the old tree-choked channel, but strainers remain a risk. Steepest stretch: Waterval-Boven to Waterval-Onder - high water only. Easiest stretch: final 8km from Saragossa to the Sappi paper mill, suitable for competent K1-paddlers. Saragossa can be used as alternative access with prior permission. Dangerous low-level bridge just past Saragossa - MUST be portaged.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
None
Recent sessions
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