Graskop Gorge Lift Company Seeks To Provide An Adventurous Experience For Its Guests. The Graskop Gorge Lift Company is centrally located on the Panorama Route and is an ideal stop over point, whether it is for the view, the forest, the food or the various adventure activities, guided tours and hikes in the surrounding areas. The company was co-founded by Oupa Pilane and Campbell Scott. The viewing lift takes visitors 51 metres down the face of the gorge into the forest below, where wooden walkways & suspension bridges meander along a 600 metre trail through the indigenous forest with interactive exhibits.
The 240 tons of concrete in the foundation 88 tons of steel in the shaft Lift was manufactured by Otis. The distance from the base to the top of the shaft is 60m The total travel distance in the lift is 51m. The lift travels at 1m/s and takes one minute to go down. Only the front of the lift is glass from waist height upwards. Whilst the lift, which travels 51m down the cliff face of the Graskop Gorge, was a feat of engineering skill to construct, it is the Afromontane forest below it that is at the heart of this development. In South Africa, Afromontane forests cover only 0.5% of the country’s land area. They occur in pockets along mountain ranges in well-watered areas, including ravines and south-facing slopes. Under the vivid green canopy of trees lies a lush wonderland filled with a spectacular variety of plants, animals, insects and birds.
The trail has 6 interpretation exhibits and includes information about the forest, its biodiversity, water conservation, birds, insects, and includes giant replicas of indigenous mushrooms, a stained-glass window and much more. The trail takes about an hour to complete. The interpretation trail has several stairs and steep inclines. The first 100 metres or so do not have any steps or steep inclines or declines so they are accessible to all, even people in wheelchairs. The climate in the gorge is generally wet and can be slippery in sections. The decks have been fitted with anti-slip treads but caution should always be taken. Trees and branches protrude from the decks and guests need to be aware of obstructions on the trail.
