Compassberg MTB Trail (Closest City/Town: Nieu Bethesda)

Eastern Cape - Western Region EC

Compassberg MTB Trail

CLOSEST TOWN > Compassberg MTB Trail

TRAIL DESTINATION > Nieu-Bethesda district roads

DISTANCE > 100km

GRADING > Moderate

OVERVIEW

The 100km Compassberg route passes through the Sneeuberg ranges before meandering along good
gravel roads, ascending in excess of 1 000m over about 100km.

On your bike

The annual race route starts off in the village square, immediately cranking into a stiffish ascent towards the farms Doornberg and The Valley. Expect the heaving breathing to kick in when you hit the slopes of Compassberg at 2,505 m, the region’s highest, free-standing mountain. The circular route then loops around to descend towards Middelburg, with a final sting in the tail along a testing climb into the home stretch. The road surface is generally good but expect loose stones, sandy wind-drifts and the occasional rocky stream crossing.

The circular Ganora Trail along 34km of jeep track is not for the faint-hearted. You must carry water and
be both properly equipped and reasonably fit in order to fully enjoy the wide-sky Karoo spaces. The turn-off
to Ganora Farm is 8km from Nieu-Bethesda along the Middelburg road (tel: +27 49 841 1302, www.ganora.
co.za).

Off the bike

Attractions include the surreal Owl house, a monument to the artistic angst of late local artist, Helen Martins, as well as an intriguing fossil museum at Wellwood Farm. A wealth of art, craft and local produce can be found in the village. Graaff-Reinet, the so-called Athens of the Karoo, and the awe-inspiring Valley of Desolation, are both well worth a visit.

CONTACT:

Route information: Peet van Heerden
Telephone: 049 841 1401 or 082 579 1039

More info: www.nieu-bethesda.com
Tel: +27 49 841 1642

GPS: 31°52’01.1”S 24°33’12.3”E

Weather:

Clear 16 ^oC
Humidity: 13%
Wind: E at 9 mph

Fri	3 ⇒ 20 ^oC	» Partly Sunny «
Sat	0 ⇒ 11 ^oC	» Chance of Rain «
Sun	2 ⇒ 12 ^oC	» Clear «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Moderate

DURATION:

Various

CONFIGURATION :

100km circular, various return options

START POINT:

Nieu Bethesda village square

TERRAIN:

Mostly public gravel roads with some loose stone, sandy wind-drifts and rocky stream crossing

MAP: None available

CELL RECEPTION: Yes

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Public access

FACILITIES:

Self-catering cottages, farm accommodation and the Village Inn

BEWARE OF:

Heat exhaustion, thirst

compassberg-map

HOW TO GET THERE

Take the N9 from Graaff-Reinet towards Middelburg and turn left at the Nieu- Bethesda sign.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Long hot summers and moderate winters.