Oestervanger Trail

OVERVIEW

The Leopard’s Bane circular across-country (not to be confused with XC) trail winds via vineyard and natural fynbos, mostly along a jeep track. The variety of track conditions (hard-pack, rocky stretches and sandy patches) will challenge the enthusiastic rider. A sandy section of road leads to ‘Boskloof’, the latter offering some technical riding.

Dawid-se-Pad is a return ride with three shortish, steep gradients, along an otherwise gently rolling slope – save some stamina for these ascents. Loose stones may make fast downhills tricky, so take care on the descents.  [div2 class=”highlight1″]

On your bike

DURATION : 60 minutes for the 12km and 90 minutes for the 22km – including stops

TOP SPEED : 40km p/h

Start Point: “Oestervanger” [33˚56.721’S and 19˚39.921’E] guest house or self catering cottages [33˚ 57.173’ S and 19˚40.269’ E] The name shown on the map is “Kasra”

Start with a gravel road – slight downhill till you get to a T junction. Left toward the farm Retreat (they also have self catering cottages) – still on gravel road. You’ll pass a dam on your right (plenty of water birds here) and at the next T-junction, bear right. (Left will take you to a farm house.) There should be a marker board to confirm the MTB route. Follow this and keep your eyes peeled for another MTB marker board to the right. (if you carry on straight, you will be doing the 12km route)

You’ll now be riding along the vineyards and cross a mountain stream further along. You’ll wind your way through the vineyards until you head in the direction of “Boskloof”, which is quite significant. The jeep track will become a little sandy in places and eventually – as you near the mountain – become quite “stony”.

You’re now in the “Protea” garden and this looks amazing in flowering season. Thousands of huge Protea bushes everywhere!

Once you’ve reached the start of “Boskloof” the track makes a sharp switchback to the left and down to the mountain stream. You will need to get off your bike once you’ve reached the bottom and carry it across the stream – great drinking water here! Once you’ve reached the other side and up against the embankment, you’ll do some single track and dual single track riding, passing a huge farm dam on your left. Stay on this track at the foot of the mountains all the way to another large dam. The track actually follows the top of the dam wall. See if you can spot the Wild Geese!

A short distance along and yet another big farm dam with plenty of bird life. Ride up a short hill and past the self catering cottage on your left until you pass another on your left. There’s a wall (with a house behind) in front of you. Turn left here and head down the hill. The road bears right at the bottom and at the seconnd farm dam on your right, you need to turn right and cross the dam wall. The signage here is not all that clear (slightly hidden) You’re actually now on the second half of the 12km route as well.

The route from here is fairly obvious and with some great undulating riding all the way to the end – bear left toward the “Oestervanger” cottages and guest house once you’ve gone through the second Eskom gate – making sure you’ve closed them again – if they were closed in the first place. You should see the “Oestervanger” cottages clearly once you’ve reached the second gate.

Off the bike

Hiking, fishing, 4×4 trails and some excellent stargazing.

CONTACT:

More information: Alda Botha – 023 626 5570

Facilities: The “Oestervanger” guest house has a small restaurant – book first. Plenty of dams to swim in.

Accommodation: Call Robertson Tourist info – 023 626 4437

Website: www.oestervanger.co.za

Telephone: +27 23 626 4047/5570

GPS: 33°56’43.6”S  19°39’55.6”E

Weather: {weather Robertson, South Africa}