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[
ROUTE NAME - Gamkapoort Dam, Swartberg region]
CLOSEST
TOWN »
Prins Albert
DISTANCE
»
80km
0 - 5 RATING
»
(Riding Enjoyment)
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GRADING
»
EASY MODERATE
DIFFICULT
EXTREME
[
OVERVIEW ]
Bang a big mountain down in the middle of the arid Karoo and you can bet your bottom bracket you’re in for a huge MTB adventure. This is exactly what the Swartberg region around Prins Albert delivers: a selection of awesome gravel passes and winding country roads trailing towards the horizon. Country hospitality is big on the cultural menu of this delightful dorpie, which boasts a main street sure to trip you right back into the 1900s. Don’t miss out on a visit to Sampie’s Farm Stall (they sell the best springbok pies in the known universe) or the quaint Swartberg Hotel with its rambling rose garden.
Relatively flat riding begs exploration along an excellent ride to the Gamkapoort Dam, situated just on 40km to the west of the village. This one starts of flat and breezy until you hit the Gamka River after 25km, the it gets quite sandy in places. Ten km later you hit the nature reserve gates and the road goes a bit up and down bedonnered through the koppies around the dam – surface rocky and very gnarly.
Public access is a given along the majority of roads in the area, but permission is required before venturing onto farms and entrance fees are payable by day visitors to nature reserves. Plus you score bonus points for peace of mind, as Prins Albert probably rates as one of the safest towns in SA.
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FAST FACTS ]
GRADING: A moderate ride, but intensity red-lines if the weather goes extreme
DURATION: 3 to 5 hours
CONFIGURATION : A return ride from Prins Albert to Gamkapoort Dam
START POINT: Prins Albert
TERRAIN: Starts off as a gravel road zoom, but road surface deteriorates once you hit the reserve
MAP: Map available to subscribers to MTB ROUTES
MORE INFORMATION:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Park entry fees apply; pay at the Tourism Office, Main Street
FACILITIES: Nothing in the park; some farms dams along the way; limited cell phone reception
BEWARE OF: Extreme heat in summer could lead to dehydration; winters can be freezing
