OVERVIEW

The Winterhoek Mountains, together with the Ratel and Olifants River catchment areas, create a MTB playground of note within the Beaverlac Reserve.

On your bike

Explore two main routes from the camp site, heading across the concrete causeway over the Ratel River. Follow the Yellowfish / Flatrock / Africa Cottage Route to the left past a big shed to enter Beaverlac’s wild heart. From here, a high-speed descent along the main gravel road awaits as you ess-bend via an incredible Stone Temple landscape. Pass the turn-off to ‘Africa Cottage’ (7km), but keep rolling north. Unfortunately, a gate signifies the start of the neighbouring farm after a further 1.5km, with the crossing through the scenic Olifants River only a tantalising kilometre away.

Here’s your Plan B! Pedal back to the eroded ‘Extension Road’ (you’d turn right here after Ratel River causeway) and start grinding into high ground through proper Old Testament rockscapes. Quiet riders may be lucky enough to bump into klipspringers, lynx or even Cape Mountain leopard (it can happen!) on this trail, so keep those peepers peeled.

Off the bike

Natural springs, spectacular mountain pools and waterfalls, hiking, fishing or paragliding. Beaverlac is set amongst stark and rocky cliffs on a 3,700ha orange farm where you will be sharing the fresh mountain air with majestic black eagles and chacma baboons. Cool off next to Beaverlac’s natural spring or hike down to the waterfalls and rock pools of the Olifants and Ratel River. If you’re in the mood, fresh-water angling for elusive bass and yellowfish adds to the outdoor options. Porterville, at the bottom of the mountain, is a world-famous paragliding and hang-gliding destination.

GPS: 32°54’28.8” South / 19°04’01.1” East