Baviaanskloof MTB Routes (Closest City/Town: Willowmore / Patensie)

Eastern Cape - Western Region EC

Baviaanskloof

CLOSEST TOWN > Patensie/Willowmore

TRAIL DESTINATION > Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area

DISTANCE > 180km GRADING > Difficult

... includes a nice map ... open with Google Earth ... for GPS devices

OVERVIEW

Hemmed in by the Kouga and Baviaanskloof Mountain ranges, this unspoiled ‘Valley of the Baboons’ is only accessible along the gnarly twist and swerve of the R332. If you plan on facing up to the full brunt of the Baviaanskloof route, the best way to do so is with a back-up vehicle in tow. You’ll be in for a good 170km of brutal riding along rough and eroded gravel roads in one of the country’s most remote destinations.

On your bike

Start off from the Willowmore side, cranking away from the N9. After 37 km you’ll reach your first major climb along the gritty Nuwekloof Pass. One thing you can bargain on is, if you go down, you will definitely have to go up again. The gravel road winds along steep slopes for a further 40 km to Studtis, before heading into a rough 25 km stretch with several river crossings en route to Sandvlakte and the adjacent Coleske Farm.

It doesn’t get any easier as you crank towards Smitskraal and the Kouga Dam, ascending along a seemingly endless mountain pass, dipping and climbing amidst soaring amber krantzes. The road clings precariously to the steep and densely wooded slopes, carving a swathe through indigenous vegetation spanning at least five divergent biomes. The final stretch will take you down a gravel switchback, across more low-water bridges and through dense woods before you blast through the gate and onto the R331 to Patensie.

The attraction of the Baviaanskloof is best experienced on a multi-day cycle and overnight stops at self-catering farm cottages or camping sites such as Geelhoutsbos or Rooihoek are a must.

Off the bike

The Baviaanskloof protects 59 species of mammals including duiker, klipspringer, baboon, kudu and leopard, as well as 293 species of birds. Expect good sightings of black cuckoo-shrike, black crake, Cape reed warbler, African sedge warbler, blue-billed firefinch, redbreasted sparrowhawk, peregrine falcon, fish eagle, and black eagle. Five regional veld types including Knysna-type forest, valley bushveld and fynbos,

Also of interest are the African Dawn Bird and Animal Rehabilitation Centre, the Loerie and Kouga Dams for kayaking, and various adventure operators offering rock-climbing, kloof and 4x4 routes. make this a nature lover’s paradise.

CONTACT:

Route information: Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve
Address: PO Box 218, Patensie, 6335
Telephone: 042 283 0882
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.baviaans.net

More info: www.cyclopro.co.za
Tel: +27 41 368 7244

GPS: 33°19’14.7”S 23°27’37.7”E

Weather:

Clear 12 ^oC
Humidity: 30%
Wind: SW at 6 mph

Fri	1 ⇒ 13 ^oC	» Chance of Rain «
Sat	3 ⇒ 12 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «
Sun	3 ⇒ 13 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Difficult

DURATION:

24 hours, or a few days if you want to kick back and relax

CONFIGURATION :

Various return options, or a gruelling 180km one-way ride

START POINT:

The R332 outside Willowmore

TERRAIN:

Eroded gravel roads, dense woods, river crossings

MAP:

If you stick to the R332 a road atlas will do, otherwise
invest in a 1:50 000 topographical map of the area

CELL RECEPTION:

Intermittent, very remote

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Public access, with paid entry into Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area

FACILITIES:

No ablutions en route, self-catering accommodation and campsite available at Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve (042) 283 0882

BEWARE OF:

Radical downhills, tricky
river crossings, stray baboons, leopards

MORE INFORMATION:

An awesome ride in a spectacular environment,
beautifully remote

baviaans-map

HOW TO GET THERE

From Willowmore in the west, travel along the R332 for an unforgettable 170km journey through SA’s third largest wilderness conservation area.
From the east, take the R330 from Humansdorp to Hankey before following the R331 to Patensie.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Summer is sunny and warm with temperatures ranging between 15°C and 41°C. Easterly ocean
breezes ensure cool evenings, while winter temperatures range from 0°C to 28°C, with quite a
few sunny days.