Leisure Wheels – September 2019

leisurewheels.co.za

Background and directions:

Although I’ve done half of this

mixed farming route before, I’ve

always battled to find the north-

eastern start point just on the

other side of Blanco, the details

of which are: after passing SAB

on your left about 3km out of

Blanco you come to a traffic

circle. Take the second exit

(straight) and then take the

next turn-off right to Geel-

houtboom after which you

follow the signs to Groot Brak.

Difficulty: The route has a

number of corrugations but

it’s a scenic detour.

Vehicle requirements: Normal

sedan vehicle.

Length of the route: 18km

dirt track

Time required: 30 minutes

Permit required: No

Cost: Nil

More information: Slingsby’s

Garden Route map

GREAT BRAK RIVER

TO BONNIEDALE FARM

VIA DIRT TRACKS AND

ROBINSON PASS

Background: I discovered this

twisty route, which winds its

way through numerous steep

and dense gorges, a number

of years back on my adventure

motorcycle. It’s not only one of

my favourites because of the

scenery and engaging riding on

offer, you also pass through a

number of game farms en route

and I’ve had excellent sightings

of rhino, wildebeest, bontebok,

hartebeest and zebra – a real

bonus. To access the start of

this route, you’ll need to cross

the Great Brak River and turn

right immediately afterwards,

following the tar road west up

a steep hill and then north for

a total distance of 6km before

turning left onto the dirt track.

Difficulty: With loose gravel,

corrugations, steep ascents

and descents, this route is

reasonably challenging but

should not trouble a seasoned

back-roader.

Vehicle requirements: Normal

sedan vehicle with reasonable

ground clearance.

Route length and directions:

Great Brak to the R328

(Robinson Pass Road) is

25km, of which 19km is dirt

track; heading north on the

tarred R328, turn left towards

Hagelkraal after 1.5km. After

8km you will turn right on the

dirt track to Bonniedale Farm,

18km distant. Total length of

route: 52.5km, 45km of which is

dirt track.

Time required: 90 minutes.

Permit required: No

Cost: Nil

More information: Slingsby’s

Garden Route map and

http://www.bonniedale.com

READERADVENTURE The Garden Route unplugged

Below: The Gouka River

in Still Bay is a worthwhile

view and fishing stop on the

dirt track route from Malgas

to Vleesbaai.

52 SEPTEMBER 2019

BLANCO TO GREAT BRAK RIVER:

DIRT TRACK BACK ROAD

“You pass through a number

of game farms en route and

I’ve had excellent sightings

of rhino, wildebeest, bontebok,

hartebeest and zebra”

Right: A rollercoaster of engaging back-road driving and spectacular

scenery: the Woeska Ox-wagon Trail. Far right: Crossing the worryingly dry

Gourits River between Herbertsdale and Brandrivier.