Cycling Routes
Outdoor holiday activities are enjoyed throughout the year.
Klein karoo Gravel Corridor
Ladismith cycling routes – The adventures starts where the tar road ends.
The idea with the Klein Karoo Gravel Corridor is to have a gravel “replacement” for the tar R62 running through the Klein Karoo. Wide open spaces, adventure and getting off the beaten track is what the corridor is all about.
This area has the most amazing hidden gems from accommodation and activities to restaurants.
Visit www.makadasadventures.co.za for more information.
General Road Routes (Dirt and Tar)
A) Dwarsrivier scenic cycle, or drive and eating out (Strava Des O’Connell).
Drive west on Laingburg tar road past Aloe Aloe on left (try their Sunday lunch), at turnoff sign Bo-Buffelskloof turn right onto gravel. Drive north and west on the farm road, passing Vredevol entrance on right, and at Tjunction turn left, then turn right, driving past Sipreslaan on left. At the junction with Oaksrest and Towerkraaltjie (Nuts about you), turn left and drive south passing Meimering (book for wine tasting and meals), and Springvale, or enjoy the pub and burgers at Koedoskloof (bookings). Dwarsrivier Road joins up with Laingburg tar road.
B) Town - Hoeko - Balmoral-Three Oaks road cycle/scenic drive route
Start from North/Noord St in town, cycle west and north (past Elandsvlei on your left=West) onto gravel road north towards Hoeko valley. Road curves right, and starts a long East incline, and descent through Knuywagensdrift, after another hill it becomes tar through Hoeko, then take 1st Balmoral sign on your left, cycle along farmroads towards Route 62 Three Oaks junction – turn back and retrace your route, but take loop to left (at the school) to join Hoeko tar road higher up: 38km in 2,5 hours moderate effort for a regular cyclist.
C) Plathuis/Prinspoort (Strava Des O’Connell)
This moderate, out and back, dirt road cycle can start at Plathuis (Wolverfontein) and passes through Prinspoort to Doornboom. The turnoff to Plathuis is on the R62, 33km south of Ladismith. Plathuis is 6.5km west of the R62. Consider making a family group outing by ordering a picnic hamper from Prinspoort Klein Karoo Stay (082 948 2450), and doing a 3km hike up to their dam and viewpoint.
D) Buffelsdrift Conservancy loop (Strava Des O’Connell)
Laingburg tar road-Prinspoort-Touwsberg-Rietfontein-Buffelsdrift. This 74km route, (which has an ascent/descent of 1024m), departs west from Ladismith on the Laingsburg road. After about 23km of quiet tar road, it becomes gravel road. At about 36km there is a road to the left marked Montagu. About 8km further turn left and pass through Prinspoort and pass Plathuis. Turn left into the Touwsberg/Rietfontein Nature Reserve, (activity permit needed), and continue for about 18.5km, (exiting the reserve in the process), next intersection turn right, across the Groot River and turn left at junction into Buffelsdrift Concervancy. Follow this dirt road which will cross the tar road (Winkelplaas) and turn first left (Skilpadskloof), continue until you reach the Dankoord school at the Laingsburg road, Turn right to Ladismith.
E) Van Zylsdamme loop (Strava Des O’Connell)
This 59km route leaves Ladismith on the Laingsburg road, does a west loop of Van Zylsdamme, followed by an eastern loop along the Groot River, joining the Laingsburg road back to Ladismith.
Voorbaat: From Tweedal Country Cottage – 2.7km cycle (SW) until 2nd intersection- turn right. From The Country Garden – 2.1km, keep right into main dirt road – after 2km turn right.
At T-junction turn right, follow road voar 8.2km until it comes out at Laingsburg road. Turn left onto Laingsburg road for 8.9km (easterly direction), right at Buffelsdrif sign, cycle for 6.9km – cross a tar road. Continue for 0.6km – turn left. A further 2.2km (Winkelplaas) will bring you to the Laingsburg road. After 8.1km turn right at Voorbaat sign. Another 2.7km will take you back towards your accommodation. Total distance – about 40km.
F) Seweweekspoort route (Strava Leandri Smit)
This very scenic route starts just west of Zoar and follows a gravel road through the poort, then turns right toward Boschluys kloof. After 2.3km a dirt track leads off to the right. This can be followed as far as you can manage, (it leads almost all the way to the Aristata peak!) Return to the start (the detour over farmland before R62 needs farmer’s consent). Total distance is about 60km, with 900m of elevation gain.
G) R323-Winkelplaas-Buffelsdrift-Baviaanskrans R323 Kromkloof R327- Naauwkloof-Route 62
(Strava Leandri Smit – Activity permit to enter Naauwkloof)
This is a challenging 93km ride with some 1130m of elevation, mostly on dirt roads, requiring about 4.5 hrs for a good cyclist. Depart Ladismith west on the Laingsburg road, turns right at the Bo-Buffelskloof sign, goes north and west on the gravel farm road, at Tjunction turn left, then further on turn right. At the junction with Oaksrest and Towerkraaltjie, turn left and drive south passing Meimering. Dwarsrivier Road joins up with Laingburg tar road, turn right onto tar road and thereafter turn left at Winkelplaas turnoff. Cross tar and turn left through Buffelsdrift, cycling along the Groot Rivier, cross R62 continue to Baviaanskrans and join with Laingburg tar road-turn left at Kromkloof till R327 turn left, back to R62, soon turning left onto Naauwkloof Reserve cycling north and then east to exit east gate at R62.
H) R323-Prinspoort-Touwsberg-Rietfontein-Buffelsdrift
This 74km route, (which has an ascent/descent of 1024m), departs west from Ladismith on the Laingburg tar road. After about 23km of quiet tar road, it becomes gravel road. At about 36km there is a road to the left marked Montagu. About 8km further turn left and pass through Prinspoort and pass Plathuis. Turn left into the Touwsberg/Rietfontein Nature Reserve, (activity permit needed), and continue for about 18.5km, (exiting the reserve in the process), next intersection turn right, across the Groot River and turn left at junction into Buffelsdrift Concervancy. Follow this dirt road which will cross the tar road (Winkelplaas) and turn first left (Skilpadskloof), continue until you reach the Dankoord school at Laingburg tar road, Turn right to Ladismith.
Private Reserve Cycling Routes
(Strava Jan Ellis)
a) Towerenfontein
B) Rooiberg Wild
C) Vyversrus/Naauwkloof Cycle
D) Vyversrus/Naauwkloof Reserve Cycle routes
Various possibilities (see below) from moderate to extreme grades, up to 75km. One can start at the Vyverrus Nature Reserve entrance, (off the Laingsburg road about 10km west of Ladismith), or at the Naauwkloof Nature Reserve entrance, 3km south of Ladismith on the R62.
[Note: Eastern loops cross over at the R62].
Guided Outrides
Contact tourism office during office hours: weekdays 08:30 – 17:00 for contact number)
A guide is available for Sunday outings for 2 – 6 people.
A) Ladismith to Waterkloof
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1½ hrs with rests
B) Naauwkloof East
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-3 hrs with rests
C) Bergplaas off R62
Needs vehicle to reach start.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: 3½ hrs with rests
