Williamsburg Mountain Reserve MTB Route Closest City/Town: Uniondale)
Western Cape - Central & Klein Karoo
Williamsburg Mountain Reserve MTB RouteCLOSEST TOWN > Uniondale TRAIL DESTINATION > Langkloof Valley DISTANCE > 26km
GRADING > Difficult |
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OVERVIEW A fantastic find if you’re the off-the-beaten track type, with hide-away cottages set within a cul-de-sac valley. Williamsburg Farm is a private nature reserve forming part of the Keurbooms River Conservancy, a collection of leopard-friendly and environmentally focused farms. Although the main focus of Williamsburg is trout fishing and a network of 4x4 routes, keen mountain bikers will find enough challenging riding to keep them busy for a good few days. On your bike Head out towards the N9 on the farm road in to the cottages, and turn left after a skittish downhill at the ‘4x4 Playground’ sign after 1.5km. Pass through the camp site, keeping left onto the Settlers Pass Route (2.1km). There’s no other way of saying this: a bitch of a climb awaits you along rocky, loose, eroded ascents as you grunt and swear into the Outeniqua Mountains. There’s a slight respite at around 3.8km as you gain the first plateau, but the suffering soon continues as you climb further towards where the Long- and Short 4x4 Routes split at 6.1km. (Keep right as indicated by the arrows up to here, as the Short Route loops back onto itself at 4km). The Long Route traverses the ridge eastwards, dropping through a rugged gorge (9.7km), before looping back to the cottages along a combo of dual-track and gravel for a hard 18km ride. Dropping onto the short route puts you onto an airy, juddery traverse with views over the valley where the cottages are. You rejoin the route (at 8.7km) to circle back home via the camp site (watch the stony river crossing here). At the ‘4x4 Playground sign 11.1km), you could hang left to bomb the access route into Williamsburg to the N9 (25.7km). This ride, in fact, is a great 30km return option for intermediate cyclists (or old Ballies like myself) not keen on what is effectively a grunt of a ride along the 4x4 routes. Good news is that you could connect to Katot Meyer’s property next door; he’s the man behind the Cape Pioneer Trek, and from what I hear there’s unlimited riding along the neighbouring farms if you know who to speak to. Off the bike I doubt you’re the 4x4 type (MTBers seldom are), but definitely pack your trout rod and bird book when you visit Williamsburg. Dams are stocked with wild trout, and angling in the streams is also an option. Bird species, especially sun birds and raptors, will have you twitching uncontrollably. CONTACT: Local Info: Katot Meyer – 044 272 0014 Telephone: 044 745 1013 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.williamsburgfarm.net GPS: S 33 ° 46' 25.1" E 23 ° 04' 57.3" Weather: {weather Uniondale, South Africa} |
FAST FACTSGRADING: Difficult (loose and rocky ascents) DURATION: 2hr 24min CONFIGURATION : Return/Circular Combo START POINT: Williamsburg Mountain Reserve TERRAIN: Mostly 4x4 tracks, Gnarly ridge climbs, very eroded and unstable. MAP: Not availible CELL RECEPTION: Intermittent cell phone reception. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Normal reserve rates apply. FACILITIES: Two bedroomed fully equipped Cape cottages can each accommodate four people. Picnic area BEWARE OF: Extreme summer temperatures, dehydration. |
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HOW TO GET THERE From George, follow the N9 towards Uniondale for just on 85km. Around 15km before you reach this little town, looks for a sign to Joncksrus / De Vlugt to your right. Follow this gravel road for just on 11km, then turn left at the Williamsburg sign for a further 4km. Distance from George: 1hr drive BEST TIME OF YEAR All year round, although summer and winter temperatures are extreme. The coolest months are from May to August. |
Jacques Marais - Tripping for trails
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