The Groot River, commonly referred to by paddlers as Meiringspoort after the gorge it flows through, is a 15-kilometre run graded at Class 3. The trip typically takes four to five hours to complete. The put-in is located at a bridge where the road crosses the river near the northern boundary of the Swartberg State Forest, and the take-out is at a corresponding bridge near the southern boundary of the same forest. No permits are required to paddle this section.

The river's character is boulder-strewn and fairly continuous, making for a technical paddle that demands attentiveness throughout. The road runs alongside or crosses the river multiple times, and these bridge crossings present a notable hazard — it is strongly recommended that the shuttle driver wait at each bridge to advise on the best line through and to flag potential portages. When water levels are elevated, paddlers should be alert to pour-overs and watch carefully for siphons and undercuts among the boulders.

Water levels are the primary planning consideration for this run. The Groot is not dam-controlled, meaning flows depend entirely on natural rainfall. The river is most often too low to paddle, and the run is only viable after significant rainfall in the area. Because of this, the section sees limited traffic and is primarily run by local paddlers who can monitor conditions closely. There is no reliable season during which the river is consistently runnable; paddlers should assess recent rainfall before committing to the trip.