North West - Southern Region NW

CLOSEST TOWN »     Parys    
DISTANCE »     Numerous trails of varying distance
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[ OVERVIEW ]

On your bike

Numerous trails of varying distance and difficulty are organized from Otters’ Haunt, an adventure centre on the north-west bank of the Vaal, 2 km from Parys, offering trails, info, maps and guiding.

Tweezer Rocks (15 km figure-of-eight circuit) :
While Otters’ Haunt is in the North-West province, the Tweezer Rocks ride crosses over the Vaal and takes place on seldom used public paths and back roads on the Free State side of the river. This 15 km ‘breakfast run’ trail, east of Parys towards the airport, gets its name from the amazing silhouette of rocks atop a koppie where two upstanding boulders hold a third between them. The trail goes around the koppie containing the ‘tweezers’. Apart from one moderate gradient up a track, most of the riding is easy, suiting even adventurous novices, due to a variety of terrains encountered, from tar to jeep tracks and footpaths.

The trail affords excellent views of rolling Free State and North-West grassland interspersed with boulder-strewn slopes and scenic koppies crowned with granite blocks. The Parys township Tumahole is seen spread out on the horizon to the south-west, with the Vaal River valley’s thick green riverine fringes off to the north, while the hills of the Dome Bergland beckon to any rider on the northwest horizon. Stop off in Parys for nosh.

Oupa se Plaas (6 km return) :
Prior booking through Otters’ Haunt is essential for this easy to intermediate Bergland trail, which is accessed 10 km outside of Parys on the Potchefstroom road. The route leads to a quaint farmhouse and by sticking to farm roads, this ride is suitable even for child bikers.

Small Circle and Quarry (15 km circuit or return) :
Cycling directly from Otters’ Haunt over farm properties gets you to the Lion’s Head quarry. Otters’ will arrange permission for you to enter. This trail offers fun and tricky riding, ending with a fast return on tar all the way back to Otters’.

Off your bike

Otters’ Haunt is popular with on-road and off-road cyclists, fly-fishermen, birdwatchers, canoeists and whitewater rafters. Otters’ Haunt organizes mountain biking group outings, rafting trips on the exciting Vaal rapids, as well as hikes and runs through the Bergland mountains of the blast zone. Here too get information on battlefields from the Boer War and the Great Trek, as well as prehistoric archaeological sites. The village of Parys is popular with art and antique lovers, containing many knick-knack shops, coffee bars and restaurants.

CONTACT
Route information: Karen and Graeme Addison, Otters’ Haunt, Fullmoon Bush Cabins and iLekwe Farmstay
Address: PO Box 289, Parys, 9585
Telephone: 056 818 1814 or 082 475 8767 or 084 245 2490
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website : www.otters.co.za

[ FAST FACTS ]

GRADING: Moderate

DURATION: Various

CONFIGURATION : Numerous trails of varying difficulty

START POINT: Various starting points

TERRAIN: Back road, paths, tar

MAP: Maps including GPS co-ordinates are available from reception

MORE INFORMATION:

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Limited numbers of day visitors. R65 per person includes entry and information. Please phone ahead.

FACILITIES: Organised, vehicle-supported and guided trails quoted on request. Overnight accommodation at Otters’ Haunt from R150 per person self-catering, with discounts for groups and free information. Accommodation options include the River House (self-catering up to 10 people), Full Moon Bush Cabins (self-catering from 12 to 16 people), and iLekwe Farmstay (B&B from 2 to 4 people). Depending on your choice of accommodation there is a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sundeck overlooking the river and a social lapa.

BEWARE OF: