Lost City MTB route(Closest City/Town: Askam)

Northern Cape - Kalahari

Lost City MTB route

CLOSEST TOWN > Askham

TRAIL DESTINATION > Mier Community

DISTANCE > Various

GRADING > Easy to intermediate

OVERVIEW

Surreal saltpans dot this region in the vicinity of Mier, offering lunar cranking along moonscape flats occasionally measuring more than 20km across. Lay fresh tracks on surfaces varying from blistered mud and shifting sands to coarse salt fields stretching as far as the eye can see.

On your bike

Ride beyond the pans into the contorted rock world of ‘The Lost City of the Kalahari’. A craggy jeep track rises sharply and winds into a mesmerizing world where soaring cliffs and tumbling escarpments mimic the shapes of a lost city straight from the pages of an H. Rider Haggard novel.

Another local option would be a ride into the contorted rock world of “The Lost City of the Kalahari”. A craggy jeep track rises sharply and winds into a mesmerizing world where soaring cliffs and tumbling escarpments mimic the shapes of a list city straight from the pages of a Rider Haggard novel. Endless gravel roads and jeep tracks wind amongst the rocky outcrops and windblown dunes but be prepared for a ride verging on the rough side.

Take note: there is no organized route here, so you need to think for yourself. And don’t ask the locals as most of them would think you’ve got a hole in your head if you ask where you can ride your bike.....

Off the bike

Go dune tracking with San guides at the Molopo Kalahari Lodge or opt for a camel-riding experience to “The Lost City of the Kalahari” from Koppieskraal Farm. You are also only a few hours away from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of Southern Africa’s premium arid national parks.

Or how about a game of 'sand golf'?

CONTACT:

Website: www.koppieskraal.co.za

Tel: +27 83 564 4613

GPS: 26°57’52.7”S 20°13’23.8”E

Weather:

Clear 12 ^oC
Humidity: 35%
Wind: N at 12 mph

Fri	7 ⇒ 23 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «
Sat	0 ⇒ 17 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «
Sun	1 ⇒ 17 ^oC	» Clear «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Easy to intermediate

DURATION:

Up to you

CONFIGURATION :

Various return and circular options

START POINT:

Koppieskraal Farm

TERRAIN:

Gravel roads and jeep tracks among rocky outcrops,
dunes and saltpans. This ride verges on the rough side.

MAP:

Invest in a 1:50 000 topographical map

CELL RECEPTION:

Limited to no cellphone reception

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Free access

FACILITIES:

Various accommodation options.

BEWARE OF:

Extreme heat and dust storms

lost-city-map

HOW TO GET THERE

Take the R360 from Upington towards Askham and Andriesvale. Then follow the R31 to Rietfontein and Koppieskraal Farm.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Definitely during winter.