Lazy trails through the Little Karoo
Just about everyone knows the R62 through the Little Karoo, but tar roads don’t always reach all a region’s beauty spots. When you’re driving there next, explore some of the back roads…
The Little Karoo is one of our country’s best destinations for long-distance drives. And rightly so – the famous R62 takes you past quaint rural towns, over impressive mountain passes and through vast landscapes. Then there’s a network of dirt roads that get less traffic and shows you a different side of this region. There’s even a nature reserve along the way as well as some lovely guest farms with campsites and 4x4 trails where you can relax in remote peace and quiet. Some of them don’t even have any cellphone signal; so if you really want to get away from the world, these back roads are just what you need.
Your route
At 23km outside Touws River, turn off the N1 and drive south on the R318 in the direction of Montagu. Stay on the R318 for almost 27 km, until just before the Rooihoogte Pass, before turning off onto the Nougaspoort gravel road on the left. The Nougaspoort road takes you past Leeuwenboschfontein, an old favourite
among off-road enthusiasts. They’ve got a 20 km 4x4 route on which you can explore the surrounding mountains, as well as an obstacle course close to the campsite.
The Gecko Rock Private Nature Reserve lies a stone’s throw farther down the road (8,5 km). Here you can camp and explore one of the two off-road trails. Tackle the tranquil Bothashoek Trail (12 km) – no 4x4 needed – while the more challenging Seattle Trail leads you to an excellent vantage point on top of the mountain.
Head east for another 20,5 km past Gecko Rock to the T-junction with the P1432 gravel road. Turn left here and drive 10,5 km to the next T-junction, where you turn right. From here, it’s 2 km to the western entrance gate of the Anysberg Nature Reserve.
This 790 km2 reserve lies in a vast valley among the Cape Fold Mountains. Take your time here and be on the lookout for zebra, kudu, gemsbok and eland. Also bring binoculars – the reserve boasts at least 180 bird species.
More or less in the middle of the reserve are five campsites and five chalets with a great big farm dam where you can cool off on a hot Karoo day. Other than hiking, mountain-biking and horse-riding trails, Anysberg also has a 4x4 route: the Tapfontein loop (21 km). And, if you want to properly escape from civilisation, spend the night at Tapfontein in one of four hidden Wendy houses. These cottages are only accessible in a 4x4 vehicle. It’s 22 km from the Anysberg campsite to the reserve’s eastern gate. Turn right outside the gate and aim for the Klein Swartberg and Outol passes in the direction of Ladismith. About 36 km after leaving the Anysberg gate, you’ll get to the turn-off onto the R323 to Barrydale. Turn right here, but keep your eyes peeled for another turnoff, to the right again, about 4 km later. Almost immediately after turning off, the road forks – veer left. This dirt road takes you 10 km south through the Grootrivier Valley to a junction with the R62. Drive straight over the tarmac and keep going
…in the middle of the reserve are five campsites and five chalets with a great big farm dam where you can cool off
south for another 13 km until you reach the R323 again. Turn right here, in the direction of Riversdale. You’ll be on tar for 15 km to the Matjiesrivier turn-off to the right. Here your wheels hit the dirt road again and you cross the Brand River before getting to a T-junction 15,5 km later. Turn right, but immediately look for the turn-off to the left for the Gysmanshoek Pass. It is in the Boosmansbos conservancy, an area with many rare fynbos species. Follow the winding pass south over the Langeberg. At the top you get a panoramic view of the Garden Route – on a clear day you can even see the ocean. And from here you can also spot your final destination, Heidelberg, next to the N2 highway.