Semonkong Lodge MTB Route(Closest City/Town: Semonkong/Lesotho)
Semonkong Lodge MTB Route(School circuit)CLOSEST TOWN > Semonkong TRAIL DESTINATION > Return ride to lodge DISTANCE > 50km
GRADING > Tough |
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OVERVIEW This 6 hour circuit, is a combination of gravel roads,single track and river crossings. Ride from the lodge to falls, takes about 3 hours there and back. Gravel road rides all around the place. So you can make up your own route and distance. On your bike Start at Semonkong lodge,ride out through town,2 km outside town turn right on gravel road and climb 700 m over about 9 km.Top of pass drop down to a right turn at 3 way intersection.Good gravel road climbing to 3000 m,if you are from the coast you will be puffing here.Passing the Vodacom tower on your right(take your mobile,good reception)and ride on about 6 km.You will see the school clearly on your right.Drop down to the school and pick up the start of the track on rhs just before the school buildings. Stop and have something to eat and take in the view,get your bearings.The Malatsenyane gorge is visible and your route is following the ridge line down single animal tracks.You will see a track leading over a neck from a valley far below you,that is where you are heading.If you are technically good you can ride almost the entire decent. All tracks lead back to Semonkong,after climbing the neck the gorge is on your left and town is ahead,enjoy the ride back in,some knarly rocky sections.If are unsure push this piece.Rolling undulations all the way home into town. Not for the faint hearted. High country,weather changes fast,tell lodge where you are going. Beware of the Amatolian mountain dogs,they are fond of going at bikes,pull a postman quick jump off, grab a rock and launch it at the beasts,they often attack in two, so look behind you as well,practice your klipgooi before hand. Off the bike Visit the mighty Maletsunyane Falls, one of the highest single dropping waterfalls in Africa, creates a haze of smoke as the water plummets 186 metres into a spectacular gorge. Also hiking trails, Pony tracks,4x4 and some amazing Fauna and Flora. CONTACT: Route Information: Semonkong Lodge Mobile: +266 - 620 210 21 Tel: +266 - 2700 6037 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.placeofsmoke.co.ls GPS: S29˚50’35.3” E28˚02’36.4” Weather: {weather Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho} |
FAST FACTSGRADING: Tough DURATION: 6 Hours CONFIGURATION : 15km circuit ride START POINT: Semonkong Lodge TERRAIN: Easy gravel roads to narly single track. MAP: Availible at the lodge CELL RECEPTION: Good,need local sim or international roaming. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: None FACILITIES: None on the route, just at the lodge. BEWARE OF: Amatolian mountain dogs,they are fond of going at bikes. |
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Directions from Maseru Border Post: Drive for 1 km, turn right at traffic lights to Mohale / Mafeteng. Drive for 2 kms, turn right at T-junction / traffic lights. Follow this road / bypass for ± 19 kms, turn right at T-junction. Drive ± 2 kms further, turn left to Mohale / Roma. You will pass an Exel garage on the left-hand side – the last stop for unleaded petrol. Continue for ± 17.5 kms through Roma and keep going for a further ± 18.4 kms. At the T-junction turn left, the road now turns to gravel/dirt for approximately 65 kms. Continue through Ramabanta and up to Semonkong. Cross the bridge / weir driving 2.7 kms to the town centre. From here turn right, you will pass a soccer field on your left and as you pass the white building on your right, turn right again and continue to the end of the road. (From the weir to the Lodge is ± 3.9 kms.) From Durban - KZN: ± 750 kms N3 to Estcourt, R74 to Winterton, Bergville, Olivier's Hoek Pass, Sterkfontein Dam, R712 to Qwaqwa, Golden Gate National Park, Clarens, Fouriesburg, Ficksburg, Ladybrand, Maseru, Roma, Ramabanta, Semonkong. From JHB: ± 650 kms N1 to Kroonstad, R76 to Steynsrus, Senekal, Marquard, Clocolan, Ladybrand, Maseru, Roma, Ramabanta, Semonkong. From CT: ± 1100 kms N1 to Colesberg, R701 to Smithfield, Wepener, Hobhouse, Maseru, Roma, Ramabanta, Semonkong. |
HOW TO GET THERE BEST TIME OF YEAR Summer |