TRAIL GUIDE
Cavort on one of the best off-road tracks in the Western Cape, a mere two-hour drive from Cape Town.
Klein Tafelberg 4x4 is located on a farm near Redelinghuys – surrounding towns include Velddrif, Aurora and Elands Bay. The trail and campground were developed by owner Stephen Burger, but these days they’re run by his neighbours, Alfie and Gezie Louw. On arrival, you get a pointed briefing and a two-way radio. No alcoholic drinks are allowed on the route and every vehicle must wait at each obstacle until called by a guide. Normal convoy rules also apply, which is why you wait at every intersection or turnoff for the vehicle behind you to catch up. THE FIRST OBSTACLE is called Milkshake, which arrives shortly after the start. You first follow a few turns through the sand and then wait for a guide to drive through a number of sharp bends to the top of the hill. The guide calls the first vehicle up, which kicks up great arches of sand as it progresses around sharp bends. It appears that he’s going to make it, but then the vehicle stops, the engine revs up a few times, but eventually the driver sounds the retreat and reverses all the way back down to the bottom. A question on the radio: “What is your tyre pressure and what gear were you in? Just reverse to where you started.” It is found that the vehicle’s tyre pressure went up by 0,2 bar between reception and here – this would be due to ambient heat. After the pressure is addressed,
a second attempt succeeds without any issues. And so, each vehicle gets tested properly at the very first obstacle. From here you progress to the next obstacle. It’s new and has yet to be named, but for now it’s called Little Heartbreak Hill. It’s a steep hill in the sand with a sharp twist at its base, which limits your speed and, of course, momentum. If you can maintain speed and momentum, it’s relatively easy, but if not, you have to start over again. After your third failed attempt, you must take
You can cool off and the kids can have a run-around after being cooped up in your car
the escape route. Don’t feel embarrassed – you have to start somewhere to get to know your and your vehicle’s abilities. On the next section of the route, you have to traverse several sandstone steps, and occasionally there’s a larger stone in the middle that you need to navigate around. The guide, Uncle Alfie, gives great directions and everyone passes by without damaging their vehicles. Then you get to the Corkscrew: again you drive in sand with hairpin bends and steep dunes. The drivers are already more experienced at this stage and nobody struggles much. The trail winds all the way around the ‘mountain’ of Klein Tafelberg, and you slowly but steadily go up with beautiful views of the Sandveld. Take a moment to look at the fields of rooibos below, waiting in neat queues to be watered. Then suddenly there’s a massive stone ledge straight ahead – it’s called Adoons. Here you have to pick your line carefully to begin with to avoid axle twist-up. Uncle Alfie is here to help with advice while stacking rocks. The stone-ledge track goes higher and higher, around bends, and you have to make sure you hold the line, otherwise
you could damage your vehicle. After showing Adoons who’s the boss, there’s a stop to stretch your legs and admire the view. This is also where the Tortoise Trail (grade 5) begins. During our visit, the trail was closed for maintenance, but we’re told it’s quite rocky with sharp bends and slopes. After this, the trail winds through the fynbos, which is recovering after terrible fires a few years ago. Finally, you reach Heartbreak Hill. It’s a steep and sloping stretch of road with lots of sand and large holes to cross. This is undoubtedly the most fun obstacle of the route. THE CAMPSITE IS SPACIOUS and divided into three sections. If you’re camping with a group, you can camp in the sheep, goat or cattle camps. For smaller groups – or even single vehicles – the calf or lamb camps are suitable. All the stands are under large rooikrans trees with lots of shade and sand underfoot. There’s one central ablution block and two smaller ones that are kept spick and span. If you don’t want to camp, stay in one of the chalets. In the campsite is a lapa with a large braai area where everyone can socialise, but the highlight is the large pool where you can cool off and the kids can have a run-around after being cooped up in your car. If you don’t want to spend a whole weekend at the campsite, you can easily make day trips in the immediate area. Visit the bird island or dine at Isabella’s in Lamberts Bay, check out rock art at Elands Bay or, if it’s the season, go for a drive and see the wildflowers.