Boegoeberg 4WD-Trail

Boegoeberg traverses slopes between the Cederberg mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, which you can glimpse twinkling in the distance if you dare take your eyes off the route.

There's an interesting variety of plants, fynbos, bush, proteas and flowers. The comprehensive information pack supplied to visitors is the best we've encountered. It even includes a star chart of the current night sky.

It's a transition zone between three biomes - Cape fynbos, succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo - featuring the fauna and flora of each. There's also comprehensive signposting that links up to a series of supplied GPS waypoints.

The 4x4 trail is self drive, and will take a full day and most of it requires concentration and some experience. It's certainly not a vehicle-breaker, but is one of the more enjoyable driving challenges on offer in this area.

For those who prefer something more accessible, there's also a 4x2 trail. Initially cut for the sole purpose of harvesting Buchu, Boegoeberg's tracks have since been developed to accommodate a wider variety of activities - especially off-roading. Boegoeberg is undoubtedly one of the best mountain trails in the country. Covering a distance of ± 30 km, it offers a scenic and challenging driving experience that gets progressively more technical as one ascends.

The trail does not miss a beat, from start to end it is one long ascent. It snakes backwards and forwards on itself, round tight hairpin bends, passing places like Buurman se Gat, Sarel se Kop, Kliphuis, Die Poort, Groenvlei and Stillerus en route to the Platklip viewpoint where a panoramic view awaits participants. From negotiating large rock formations to radically-cambered rocky corners, Boegoeberg has it all.

On the last section to the Platklip viewpoint there are repeated river crossings to be negotiated as well. The difficulty of this section can vary depending on the time of year the trail is visited. Your driving skills and your vehicle's traction will definitely be tested, but your vehicle will not be damaged.

A second trail offers some fun for 4x2s while providing great views and interesting driving.

Boegoeberg boasts a guesthouse, three sandstone cottages and two campsites. A farm shop stocks basic necessities. Buurman se Gat is a beautiful sandstone cottage about 2 km from the start of the 4x4 trail. This thatched-roof cottage built against a natural rock overhang, has an indoor fireplace, an outside bush shower and a sea-view toilet.

A further two sandstone cottages are built in the mountains, one at Kliphuis and the other at Kliphoutkop. One of the campsites is at the start of the trail, under large trees and next to a dam, while the other is on top of the mountain at the Kliphuis. Both campsites offer basic toilet facilities and fresh water. There are a variety of adventurous activities available such as hiking, fishing in the dam, buchu-picking, a visit to the sandstone quarry, swimming in the waterfall or dam and a visit to the Heerenlogement Cave (40km).(Information supplied by DriveOut Magazine).

Office Hours: 08:00-17:00

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