Baviaanskloof
Motor Trail
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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 1759 meter high Cockscomb Mountain
known to earlier tribes as T'Muniqua, meaning "covered in clouds".
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Cockscomb Mountain |
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The road leads past the town of Loerie and 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.
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Komdomo To Cambria (20 km./30
min./Accessible by normal on-road vehicle)
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Komdomo, the gateway 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.
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Grootrivier Poort |
Colourful Sandstone Formations |
Cambria Valley |
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Entering the Cambria Valley with its excellent overnight facilities,
ranging from campsites to full-board accommodation, a signboard on the
right indicates the turnoff to the Goedehoop/Sandrivier area and the
Osseberg 4x4 route, as well as the Tjaart van der Walt monument. In 1798
he was appointed commandant of the Swellendam district by the governor of
the Cape Colony, to stop the cross border raids by tribal bands. After
numerous clashes with these tribesman he was ambushed and fatally wounded.
He's grave on the farm Onverwacht in Cambria marks the location where he
was killed and burried in August 1802.
One of the oldest Outoniqua Yellowwood trees in the area, estimated to be
in access of 800 years, can be located at the entrance to Baviaanskloof
Lodge. An ancient specimen of Cycad, approximately 3 000 years old can be
found at the view point, near the Lodge.
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Ancient Cycad |
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Outoniqua Yellowwood |

Osseberg 4x4 Route |
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Cambria to Doodsklip & Rooihoek (27 km./2.5
hours/Accessible only with 4x4 or 2x4)
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Rooihoek to Geelhoutbos (37 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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Eland |
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Grasnek Mountain Pass (1626 meters) |
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.
Viewpoints offer a 360 degree vista of the entire complex
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Ascending Grasnek Mountain Pass the winding road leads to the
Geelhoutbos mountain retreat which, consist of self-catering chalets
managed by the Eastern Cape Parks Board. The chalets are nestled amongst
White Stinkwood, Wild Fig and Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. This facility is
temporarily closed for construction purposes.
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Geelhoutbos to Nuwekloof Pass (36 km./2
hours/Accessible by normal on-road vehicle)
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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 Willowmore.
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Donkey carts are extensively used by the local people in
the areas of Coleske Plaas and Sewefontein and motorists should drive
cautiously.
From Kleinpoort the road heads towards Studtis, which is the birthplace of
one of South Africa's acclaimed authors, P. H. Nortje. His epics "Voetpad
se Kloof" and "Die Wildedruif Val" are dedicated to the life and struggles
of the people of the Kloof.
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Reaching Nuwekloof Mountain Pass where there is excel lend overnight
and camping facilities, 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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"Golden sunset" in the Baviaanskloof |
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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)
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