Closest Town: Uniondale
Grading: Difficult
Duration: 2–3 hours
Location (Area/Province): Central & Klein Karoo and Western Cape
Configuration: Circular – 26km
Start Point: Start in Uniondale and follow the route markers
Access: Permit payable at Uniondale Tourism (044) 752 1266
Beware of: Extreme summer temperatures; dehydration
Facilities: None on route
Cell Reception: None on route
This challenging ride forms part of the annual Karoo-to-Coast Mountain Bike Race
Start off along the 26-km circular ride in the pretty town of Uniondale, then crank into the spectacular Uniondale Poort and onwards to Avontuur. The clearly marked route then bangs onto the Ou Wapad trail to return to Uniondale. The road surface varies from harsh to hectic and this, in conjunction with extreme temperatures during the summer months, makes this a testing ride.
Carry ample water, slap on the sun protection and make sure you have a spare tube in your tubby bag. The diverse scenery of the Kammanassie and Kouga Mountains unfolds along the green valleys, scenic passes and dramatic rock formations with the vegetation varying from fynbos to arid Karoo succulents.
Kammanassie comes from the Khoisan language and means ‘Mountain of Water’. This rain-fed mountain sustains a small herd of endangered Cape Mountain zebra. Day hikes within the Kammanassie Nature Reserve afford the opportunity to see the Zebra, as well as klipspringer, kudu, duiker, grysbok, rhebuck and of course baboons. Waterfalls provide relief from the summer heat and there is a self-catering guest house in Uniondale, a few kilometers from the reserve.
GPS: 33°39’30.2” S 23°07’24.2” E
