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Taking the Baviaanskloof/Gamtoos off-ramp from the N2,
40 km. from Port Elizabeth, the westward bound R331 takes the traveler
through an area sometimes known as the "valley of a thousand and one
hills". The route offers a panoramic view of the Eland and Groot
Winterhoek Mountains dominated by the 1 759 meter high Cockscomb Mountain
known to earlier tribes as T'Muniqua, meaning "covered in clouds". |
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The road leads past the town of Loerie, through Hankey (established 1881) and Patensie, along the thriving citrus farms of
the Gamtoos valley, past the turn-off to the Kouga Dam towards Komdomo,
which is the Eastern entrance and gateway to the Baviaanskloof
Mega-reserve. |
Komdomo To Cambria (20 km./30 min./Accessible by normal on-road vehicle) |
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Komdomo, the eastern entance to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve
and Wilderness Area is
the starting point of the gravel road, constructed under the supervision
of Thomas Baine between 1880 and 1890. The road winds its way through the
Grootrivier Poort with its spectacular, colorful rock formations for
approximately 10 km. and opens out into the Cambria valley. The Cambria
valley, boxed in by the magnificent Baviaans and Kouga mountain ranges,
forms the gateway to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve and Wilderness Area |
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Grootrivier Poort |
Colorful Sandstone Formations |
Cambria Valley |
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Cambria to Doodsklip & Rooihoek (27 km./2.5 hours/Accessible only with 4x4 or 2x4) |
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One of the unsolved mysteries of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area is the old stone wall which can be clearly seen from the second viewpoint at Combrinks Pass
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Rooihoek to Geelhoutbos (28 km./2 hours/recommended vehicle, 4x4 or 2x4) |
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| 4 km. due west of Rooihoek the trail leads to Kruisrivier,
located at the confluence of the Kouga and Baviaanskloof Rivers. The area
stretching towards the Kouga Canyon not only holds some of the best kept
secrets of the reserve, but is a favorite haunt for Cape Buffalo, Eland
and Kudu. During the sweltering heat of summer the cement causeway at the foot of the Grasnek/Keerom Mountain Pass offers an opportunity for travelers to cool of in the natural plunge pool nestling between rock face and riverine vegetation. Ascending Grasnek Pass a backward view provides a sweep of the Kouga/Baviaans flood plains, hemmed in by the impassive Kouga Mountains. |
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Reaching the summit of the Grasnek Pass, the sentinels
of the Baviaanskloof Range come into full view, with Scholtzberg, 1 626
meters dominating the Karoo skyline. |
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Geelhoutbos to Nuwekloof Pass (67 km./2 hours/Accessible by normal on-road vehicle) |
| From Geelhoutbos the road leads through an area known as Sandvlakte
where there are overnight facilities. Further on at Rus en Vrede
(overnight facilities) there is a turn-off to the left for the 4x4 trail
over the Kouga Mountains, which joins up with the R62 near Kareedouw. The
rugged Doringkloof, running at a right angle to the main valley is also
home to the rare and endemic Baviaanskloof Cedar (Widringtonia schwartzii).
Onward, past the turn-off, the trail heads for Kleinpoort and the last
opportunity to refuel before the final haul to Uniondale / Willowmore. |
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Reaching Nuwekloof Mountain Pass, marks the end of the journey through the Baviaanskloof and a memorable tour through Gods Own country, also referred to as the "World of Psalm 23" |
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Turning left off the R332 towards Uniondale, Verberg Safaris and Tea Garden is a welcome site to many a weary traveler where there is light refreshments and friendly service. |
Exiting Nuwekloof Pass on the R332 there is a turn-off to the left
towards Uniondale and the N9. To travel to Willowmore stay on the R332.

References
Treasury of Travel Series 8 (T. V. Bulpin, 1973)
Baviaanskloof Self-Guided Motor Trail (CNC Eastern Cape)
Tjaart van der Walt 1748 - 1802 (KAB)