About Baviaanskloof MTB Route
Where: The Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site
Level: difficult, the routes are long and can be gruelling
Type of route: gravel roads, tricky river crossings, dense wooded areas, uphills and heart-stopping downhills
Best: summer is incredible, even winter days can soar to 28 degrees, although the evenings and early mornings are really chilly
The Baviaanskloof is a long ravine 35 km north of the Langkloof; a kloof through which the Baviaans River runs, flanked by the mountains of the Kouga, to the south, and Baviaanskloof, to the north.
The Baviaans starts in the Little Karoo, melting its way through mountain crevices eastwards, where it finally ends at the confluence with the Kouga River. Both the river and the kloof get their name from the Khoikhoi i Ncwama which, when translated, means 'baboon'.
The Baviaanskloof is one of the most incredible and remote environments through which to cycle, accessible only along the R332 that runs parallal to the Baviaans River. A dirt road comparable with the Tsitsikamma forest road, it was built by Thomas Bain - one of the longest roads and mountain passes he was to design.
The untarred R332 stretches for 180 km from Patensie in the east to Willowmore in the west.
Cycling it is an endurance test along rough, eroded gravel roads, over numerous river crossings, and through dense woods. It is best done with the aid of a support vehicle (cell reception is, at best, intermittent). Be aware that there are stray baboons, and leopards live in the kloof, although they are seldom sighted.
You can remain on the R332, or design alternative routes (various farms allow thoroughfare), staying overnight at camping sites (Geelhoutsbos or Rooihoek (a wilderness campsite) come recommended) or self-catering farm cottages.
You may start from either end of the kloof, but the Trans Baviaans (the toughest single stage MTB event in the world) starts in Willowmore, following a farm road through Poortjies to the Baviaanskloof turn-off 4 km outside town.
The route then climbs the Nuwekloof Pass and drops into the Baviaanskloof for 80 km, passing through farms like Rietrivier, the town of Studtis, via the Sandvlakte, before entering the Baviaanskloof wilderness area.
The route reaches Geelhoutbos via a long descent roughly 110 km from Willowmore. From now it gets strenuous, and more difficult to negotiate along the narrow gravel road. The road ascends up to Bergplaas, from which it drops into the Cambria Valley and the Komdomo campsite.
From Komdomo the route heads straight to Patensie. The Trans Baviaans deviates here and heads to Jeffreys Bay.
Whilst they do it in 24 hours, you can take as long as you like.
The ride is tough, but the beauty and the remoteness are second to none.
Need to Know
WhereThe Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site, Eastern Cape.
The untarred R332 stretches for 180 km from Patensie in the east to Willowmore in the west.
WhenBest during daylight hours.
How muchFree
OvernightStay nearby in Willowmore, in Eastern Cape
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Find Baviaanskloof MTB Route in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Baviaans Lodge
Baviaans Lodge is the gateway to this natural wilderness offering superb lodge accommodation, directly adjoining the Baviaanskloof World Heritage...
Willow Historical Guest House
Ideally situated for stopovers when travelling from Gauteng to George, the Willow Historic Guest House offers accommodation, fine food in it's a ...
Finchley Farm
Situated on a working sheep farm just 2,5km outside Willowmore, Finchley Farm offers self catering accommodation. Experience the peaceful and tra...
Keurfontein Country House
Keurfontein Country House offers fine accommodation on the N9 between Willowmore and Uniondale easily accessible from the main road. It is theref...
Other things to do in the area
Doringkloof 4x4 Trails
Deep in the ancient formations of the Baviaanskloof Mountain Range lie the Doringkloof 4x4 Trails. This area is characterised by rugged landscape...
Elandsheuwel MTB Trails
Where: on the R329 from Steytlerville towards WillowmoreLevel: great family rides; not very technical although there are a few rocky bits Type of...
Timbila 4x4 Trails
The Timbila 4x4 Trails comprise three separate routes that are all contained within the prettiness and diversity of the Timbila Nature Reserve, b...
Glenmore 4x4 Trail
The Glenmore 4x4 trail is located on a farm in the Baviaanskloof, and consists of five trails. The farm is located approximately 35km from Willow...
Belly Deli
Belly Deli is a quirky little retreat in the heart of the Karoo Heartland. Willowmore, the deli’s home town, is a small hub, but has earned its s...
Baviaans Heritage Tours
The Baviaanskloof is a majestic mountain range that is not only significant for its natural abundance, but also for its historical and cultural h...
Vondeling Optel Craft
Vondeling settlement consists of an isolated scatter of homesteads, made up of only 29 families, on public and private land close to the now disu...
Soetendalspoort 4x4 Trail
Experience the haunting beauty of the Karoo in a very special way when venturing out on the Soetendalspoort 4x4 Trails. These trails are situated...
Noteworthy attractions
Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve
The Valley of the Baboons in the Eastern Cape (in the sandy soil of this valley one can easily spot their footprints), also known as the Baviaans...
Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve
The Baviaanskloof Wilderness is an incredibly scenic gorge that lies between two sets of mountain ranges - the Baviaanskloof and the Kouga mounta...
Grasnek Pass
The ‘home of the baboons’ (Baviaanskloof) is a deep ravine through which sweep a number of mountain passes that are nothing short of spectacular....
Holgat Pass
Only one road takes you through the kloof, which is probably why so much of its landscape is untouched, pristine and remote. To the north of Bavi...
The Kouga Dam
Built in the 1960s, the Kouga Dam was the first double-arched dam in South Africa. It's worth a stop for the beauty of its setting in amongst the...
Combrinks Pass
The Baviaanskloof is a valley that runs east to west between the Baviaanskloof Mountains and the Kouga Mountains. The wilderness area is also a W...
Antoniesberg Pass
Antoniesberg Pass is a remote, sheer gravel pass that links the Groot River with the northern side of the Baviaanskloof Mountains.The pass itself...
Nuwekloof Pass Baviaanskloof
The Nuwekloof Pass functions as an entrance to the Baviaanskloof, its red rock faces linking the western section of the kloof with the Karoo town...
Gamtoos Valley
Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Han...
Accommodation convenient to Baviaanskloof MTB Route
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Eastern Cape Accommodation / Karoo Heartland Accommodation / Baviaanskloof Accommodation / Willowmore Accommodation
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