Cycle Trails around Kamieskroon, Namaqualand
In spring, the MTB trails around Kamieskroon in Namaqualand literally make you think you have found your way to the Garden of Eden. In fact, the famous photographer Freeman Patterson based parts of his beautiful book “Garden of the Gods” around Kamieskroon and Leliefontein and runs photography workshops in this area.
From Kamieskroon, head east, deeper into the mountains, towards either Nourivier or Leliefontein. The cycle trails are mainly on quiet public gravel roads, or paths, as in the case of the circular route at Leliefontein. The trails loop around amazing rock formations and past stunning floral displays on the slopes.
Four rides traverse the area ranging from from 7.5 km to 49 km and are easy to moderate. Some are circular and on others, you may need to be collected. Some of the trails are not well marked or well maintained in the off-road areas, but are navigable. As the weather can get very hot here in summer, please make sure you have plenty of water. Cellphone reception is not available, so tell someone where you are going and takes some spares. There are no ablutions en route.
Click to see the map detail
The Nourivier Route (38km) offers a moderately easy circular route. Drive to Nourivier and park or add 20km onto the route and start and end at Leliesfontein.
There is also a longer route that can be done either as a straight-line 30km (you would need to arrange a pick-up), or a challenging circular return ride of 49km.
This is for the more accomplished rider.
Leliesfontein – 30km to the southeast of Kamieskroon and reached via a series of picturesque mountain passes – offers a short 8.2km ride perfect for the whole family.
The Garies Tourism Office has route information. They are in the main road of Garies. Telephone: 027 652 1220 or +27 27 672 1948.
TERRAIN:
Gravel roads
MAP:
Try to get hold of a 1:50 000 topographical map of the area
FACILITIES:
A range of accommodation options in Garies and Kamieskroon;
HOW TO GET THERE:
Kamieskroon is approximately 68km south of Springbok on the N7 towards Cape Town, and Garies is another 48km further south. To get to the Leliefontein settlement, turn off the N7 at Garies and then pass eastwards under the highway and along a dirt road towards the Kamiesberg area. After 45km or so, you will reach a sign on the right-hand side indicating the turn-off to Leliefontein – turn here and continue for another 10km until you reach the town. Alternatively you can approach from the north via Kamieskroon.
BEST TIME OF YEAR
No doubt about this one – spring, flowers, cooler weather … it’s got to be August or September. The flower display may start as early as July and end as late as November – the duration depends on rainfall, wind and temperature.
| More info on the quaint town of Kamieskroon | More info on the Namaqualand area |
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