leisurewheels.co.za
tarred R323 for 3km after which you
turn left onto the Brandrivier gravel
road. Travel west for 17km then left
at Gysemanshoek Pass through which
you will transit for 13km before coming
to the T-Junction with the Riversdale-
Suurbrak dirt track. From here it’s
53km to Suurbrak. The total length of
route is 138km of which almost all of it
is gravel.
Time required: Around two and a half
hours, depending on the length of your
stops.
Permit required: Not required.
Cost: Nil
TRAVEL
ADVISOR
THE GARDEN ROUTE UNPLUGGED:
AN ALTERNATIVE WESTWARDS
BACK ROADS ROUTE WITH TWO
OVERNIGHT STOPS
This return route follows the
predominantly dirt track path
extrapolated in these segments, via
De Vlugt, the N9 to Louvain Farm,
the Old Voortekker Pass to the
Seven Passes road, George, the
Groot Brak back route from Blanco,
Bonniedale Farm, Gysemanshoek,
Suurbrak, Swellendam and the dirt
track from there via Drew and the
Klipfontein pad to the N2 at
Stormsvlei.Plettenberg Bay to Caledon:
539.5km (the N2 distance is 408km)
of which around 377km was on dirt
and 163.5km on tar. Total time spent
in the bakkie was close to 13 hours
over three days.WHERE TO STAY
PIETERSRIVIER NATURE
RESERVE near De Vlugt for
camping. Call Katot Meyer on
082 083 9976 andBONNIEDALE FARM (near
Herbertsdale) for a range of
accommodation options
Call Nico or Danette Hesterman
on 044 695 3175.This page: The Isuzu
D-Max 2.5 TD Double
cab 4×4 X-Rider
proved to be a perfect
exploring partner.SEPTEMBER 2019 55