Breedtsnek Road (Closest City/Town: Rustenburg)

North West - Eastern Region NW

Breedtsnek Road

CLOSEST TOWN > Rustenburg

TRAIL DESTINATION > Magaliesberg Mountain

DISTANCE > 55km or 10km

GRADING > Intermediate to difficult

OVERVIEW

Breedtsnek is a district dirt road pass straddling the Magaliesberg Mountain range and is the only road over the mountains between Rustenburg and Hartebeespoort. The road is also popular with Sunday drivers so it can get very busy on weekends and you may get more excitement than bargained for if you cannot resist high speed downhilling!

On your bike

For a demanding return ride of 55 km, start and finish at the Bird Store General Dealer on the R560 Hekpoort road in Gauteng. Take the T3 dirt road up past the Ingwe Bush camp gate on your right. Riding parallel to the imposing Magaliesberg mountains on the right, keep going until you get to a T-junction. Keep turning right until steeper and steeper switchbacks let your legs know that the pass is near. Admire the fascinating rock formations and sweeping views over Hartebeespoort and Buffelspoort Dams.

For a less demanding, 10 km return ride, start at Sugarbush Hill Cottages, some 30 km from Rustenburg on the north-West province side of the pass. Riding in this area is mostly along quiet, undulating secondary dirt roads used to access the farms in the area.

Off the bike

Sugarbush Hill has hiking trails. There’s a plethora of restaurants, arts and crafts venues, fly-fishing, hiking trails and game farms in the Magaliesberg. The Elephant Sanctuary near Hartebeespoort offers luxury lodge accommodation and the opportunity to get up close and personal with Africa’s giants on elephant walks or during the early morning elephant brush downs. Contact Reservations on 012 258 0423 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The cheese gourmand will relish a visit to the charming Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, situated near the hamlet of Skeerpoort along the Hekpoort road. Take a tour around this working cheese farm and learn how your favourite products are made. Picnic baskets are available but bookings are essential. There is also a lovely patio restaurant. Phone 012 207 1289. A little further down the Hekpoort road is Bill Harrop’s Original balloon Safaris. Bookings are essential so phone 014 577 1733. Alternatively, try your hand at abseiling and climbing in the Magaliesberg or enjoy some extreme caving in the Cradle of Humankind. Go Vertical Mountaineering Adventures offer beginner’s courses, weekend trips to the Magaliesberg and corporate adrenalin and adventure trips for the disabled. Phone 014 577 4612 or 082 731 4696 or see www.govertical.co.za.

For all this and more, check out www.magaliesinfo.co.za

CONTACT:

Route information: Gerald Esterhuizen, Sugarbushhill Cottages

Address: Private Bag X82329, Rustenburg 0300

Telephone: 082 550 3756 / 082 495 5123

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.sugarbushhill.co.za

GPS: South: 25 48 56.5 East: 27 24 57.8

Weather: {weather Rustenburg, South Africa}

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Intermediate to difficult

DURATION:

Depending on route chosen

CONFIGURATION :

10 km or 55 km return ride over the provincial border

START POINT:

55 km: Start and finish at the Bird Store General Dealer 10 km: Start at Sugarbush Hill Cottages

TERRAIN:

Dirt roads

MAP:

Refer to the Automobile Association’s (AA) Magaliesberg map to plan your ride options

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Public access

FACILITIES:

Self-catering accommodation at Sugarbush Hill in rustic stone cottages which sleep 2 to 8 guests. Swimming pool

BEWARE OF:

Safe parking is not guaranteed at The Bird Store. Alternately, you could arrange to start or extend this ride from Sugarbush Hill Cottages. The route described is shared with motor vehicles. Be vigilant if cycling alone on this isolated public road.

HOW TO GET THERE

See map....

BEST TIME OF YEAR

All year round.