Augrabies Falls National Park (Closest City/Town: Augrabies)
Northern Cape - Green Kalahari
Augrabies Falls National ParkCLOSEST TOWN > Augrabies / Kakamas TRAIL DESTINATION > Augrabies Falls National Park DISTANCE > 30–40km
GRADING > Easy |
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OVERVIEW Mount up and get spaced out in a place where kokerbome (quiver trees) and lunar rockscapes rear up from plains as old as the continent itself. This is Planet Aukoerebis, but, even though this means ‘Place of Great Noise’ in Khoi, chances are you’ll hear little else besides the slash of gravel below your bike tyres. On your bike Crank off from Main Camp along this undulating dirt ride, taking care when pedalling across the low-water crossing just over a kilometre out of camp as it is covered in a generous slather of slippery moss! A few gentle climbs will bring you to the turn-off to Moon Rock – turn right to explore this magnificent magma mound shrugging up from the arid scrub. Scan the camelthorn gullies for kudu and eland, pedalling back to the main road and on to the Ararat viewpoint. Don’t miss this: a slip-n-slide dirt chute bangs you down onto the precipitous edge of the Augrabies gorge, from where an end-of-the-world view lurches along the chaotic rock canyon. The return climb links you onto a dogleg right towards Oranjekom for a swashbuckling free-ride and another spectacular panorama – take a breather, take in the view and revel in the hard rock splendour of this amazing place. Once you’re back on the main road, turn right and spin along for 2.3km – here the road forks left towards the Fonteintjie Lookout and right towards Echo Corner. Do the Fonteintjie Lookout first, cruising the sandy flats to fully synch into desert mode. Then it’s onto the pièce de résistance – the rollicking ruckus of a run down into Echo Corner. Howl to your heart’s content into the vastness of the surrounding plutonic rock, or tune into the immense sounds of silence. By now, the sun will be well into the big noonday burn, so heed the call of the swimming pool and head back to camp. Off the bike Here the mighty Orange River is at its most impressive as it thunders through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the world’s sixth largest waterfall. Your options are myriad: shoot ‘Big Bunny’ and the ‘Chicken Run’ on a raft, do the Klipspringer Hiking Trail, or opt for a horse or camel ride à la Lawrence of Arabia. A major attraction in Augrabies Falls National Park is the Gariep 3-in-1 Adventure featuring a combination of gravel road biking, gorge canoeing and desert hiking. Also on the outdoor to-do list: the Aukoerebis 4x4 Eco-Trail and the 3 day/2 night Klipspringer Hiking Trail, game-viewing, superb birding and a number of day hikes. River rafting and flat-water canoeing may be arranged through the Kalahari Adventure Centre while the town of Kakamas is famed for its dried fruit. To book accommodation within the park, contact SANPARKS Reservations of 012 343 1991.
CONTACT: Route information: Augrabies Falls National Park GPS: 28°35’35.4”S 20°20’14.6”E Weather:
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FAST FACTSGRADING: Easy - A favourite ride in SA – speedy, loopy, lekker riding for the all levels of riders DURATION: Anything from 2-3 hours CONFIGURATION : A return ride with various side road options; 30–40km START POINT: Augrabies Main Camp TERRAIN: Gravel roads with good surfaces; sandy sections along the route to Fonteintjie MAP: A map of park roads is available from Reception or the main gate CELL RECEPTION: At the start and most of the route ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Regular park entry fees apply to riders FACILITIES: Main Camp has it all – BEWARE OF: Summer goes hand in hand with extreme temperatures, dehydration and snakes |
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MORE INFORMATION: Neither gradient nor road surface will push your skills, so get ready for a speedy and lekker crank suited to all levels of riders
HOW TO GET THERE
BEST TIME OF YEAR You’re basically headed into semi desert, so expect summer days to cook, especially between November and March. Plan your rides so that you leave camp at dawn and get back by 11:00. Autumn to early spring makes for a more amiable outdoor experience, although the nights and early mornings will freeze your butt off. |
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Augrabies Falls MTBEcho Corner
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Clear 12 oC
