A picturesque mission village, Goedverwacht, awaits approximately 11km along the gravel of the R399, with a range of accommodation options, including camping at Januariesfontein (total riding distance of 43km) and premium self-catering at Retreat Guest Farm (49km). You’re in for a solid ascent from Goedverwacht, so this is not a bad place to break out some cold beers and chill after Day One of your ride. Retreat Farm boasts a superb MTB Trail, so bump up your ride with a kickass 35 km addition of extra singletracks!
Your second day starts with an exhilarating downhill ride as you pedal the quiet tar road plunging back down to Piketberg. Negotiate the side-swiping ess-bends of Versveld Pass (10km) before you T-bone onto the R366 (15km), where you will pass the turn-off to Eendekuil (R365) to your right after another 24km. Keep the pedals turning as the R366 curves southwards to Redelinghuys (80km) where Affieplaas awaits with excellent accommodation and meals.
Welcome to Day 3, people! A rather corrugated and sandy (in places) stretch of gravel road awaits as you crank off towards Aurora. Look out for a turn-off to your left towards Danielshoogte Private Nature Reserve after 25km, with proper climbing as you attack the western ascent up Piketberg Mountain. The 9km uphill to Danielshoogte is gritty, but you have another 8km before you top out. Either return to Danielshoogte (51km) or bomb all the way back down to Aurora (63km) where you can book into Die Rooi Granaat for some R&R.
Anyone for a Bonus Day in the saddle? Here goes … from Aurora, head southwest for 2km, then keep left for another 15km to the junction with the R399. Keep left again for 3km to the next left as you begin to undulate up the scenic Kapteinskloof valley, passing Banghoek Private Nature Reserve just on 38km into your ride.
You will rejoin your old friend, the R366, again after a total distance of 55km; turn right here towards Piketberg for a fast 40km tarmac crank. Piketberg offers a bunch of accommodation options, and after nearly a 100km in the saddle you will surely need cold drinks, good food and a comfortable bed! I’d check out Lemon Tree Self-catering as a starting point!
All in all, you’re in for a 40/60 mix of tarmac versus gravel, with long and undulating stretches and a few grueling climbs. The northern side of the mountain brims with loads of jeep-track for those keen to explore off the secondary roads, but be aware that you will be riding through farming areas and that all gates should be left in the position you found them.
Keep a look out for jackal- and steppe buzzards, black eagles, bat-eared fox, steenbok and other small mammals. Leopards are often spotted in the high-lying mountain wilderness, but your chances of seeing them are unfortunately not brilliant. The vistas towards the Cederberg and West Coast, however, will more than make up for that!
GPS Coordinates
32º 42′ 05″ South / 18º 28′ 52″ East
For some AATBs (Alternative Activities to Biking), check out our blogpost on the Piketberg Gravel Circuit and its surrounding areas. And if you’re left wanting more trails, head over to Trailforks, where there are some beautiful additions to the trails we’ve discussed.
