Based on a solo bikepacking trip Seamus Allardice did in May 2021 the Diverge January 2022 tour will take in Seweweekspoort, Die Hel, Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve and the Huisrivier Pass. It’s a 4 day Klein Karoo Bikepacking Adventure dubbed the Hell’s Teeth Tour.
Die Leer to Hell.
Basics
Dates: 3 to 7 January, 2022
Start Location: Le KaRoux, Opsoek, Seweweekspoort
Distances: 255km with 5 900m of climbing
Stops: www.diehel.co.za | www.dehoekmountainresort.co.za | www.capenature.co.za
Proto Trip: Hell’s Teeth Boet
Cost: R1 300 per person for accommodation and support vehicle with driver
Spots Available: 8
The trip will be a supported one with a 4×4 following for days 2-4 in order to provide water and food as needed. As well as carry the camping equipment required for 3 nights of camping in the Klein Karoo. Riders will be responsible for their on-the-bike nutrition as well as dinners. Simple breakfasts will be provided, as will coffee and tea in the mornings. The group will stop for lunch at a restaurant on Days 2, 3 and 4.
Le KaRoux is a great spot to start or finish a ride.
Day 0
Arrive at Le KaRoux, on Monday, 3 January. Get organised and prepare for an early departure on Tuesday, 4 January. Day 1 is probably the second toughest day of the trip and with a 1.5 to 2 hour hike-a-bike it will be a challenge. It is also the only day the vehicle will not be following throughout the day, and as such will require careful planning of what you are going to take with you, both for the ride and for upon arrival in Die Hel. The vehicle will probably only arrive at the camp site 2 hours after us.
We will be staying in a farm cottage at Le KaRoux, there will be electricity to charge devices for the first two days of the trip, a freezer to ensure meat is frozen before the trip starts and it is a safe place to leave your vehicle for the 4 days of the ride.
Le KaRoux will provide the only non-camping accommodation on the trip.
The western part of Die Hel is verdant and green, blessed with virtually perennial rivers.
Day 1:
4 January 2022 | Opseok to Die Hel
Route: www.plotaroute.com
Distance: 46km
Elevation: 1 300m
Water at 34km (from a tap at a trough)
Difficulty: Most technical riding on the route, rough jeep track and a 2km hike-a-bike down Die Leer
Accommodation: Camping at Boplaas campsite (No electricity or cell signal, hot water from a donkey geyser)
Day 1’s route takes in Seweweekspoort and Die Leer.
The road to hell…
Day 2:
5 January 2022 | Die Hel to De Hoek
Route: www.plotaroute.com
Distance: 78km
Elevation: 2 500m
Water at 11km (Fonteinplaas Shop) and at numerous river crossings
Difficulty: Strenuous climbing out of Die Hel (km 16) to Swartberg Pass summit (km 56).
Accommodation: Camping at De Hoek (Limited cell signal)
Lunch Stop: Kobus se Gat (67km)
Day 2’s route ascends out of Die Hel to the summit of the Swartberg Pass, climbing over 2 000m in 40km.
Elandspas is the first of the brutal climbs leaving Die Hel.
Day 3:
6 January 2022 | De Hoek to Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve
Water at 34km (Kruisrivier)
Distance: 66km
Elevation: 1 000m
Route: www.plotaroute.com
Difficulty: Arguably the easiest day of the trip with lots of stretches trending downhill for 10km at a time.
Accommodation: Camping at Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve
Lunch Stop: Bella de Karoo (51km)
Day 3’s route crosses the Klein Karoo basin via Kruisrivier and Red Stone Hills.
The Red Stone Hills are definitely worth a visit!
Day 4:
7 January 2022 | Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve to Opsoek
Distance: 65km
Elevation: 1 100m
Route: www.plotaroute.com
Difficulty: Largely flat with the only major climbs on tar
Lunch Stop: De Kranz Winery (38km)
Accommodation: Le KaRoux
Day 4’s route takes in about 25km of tar road and features two tar passes.
The Huisrivier Pass from the bottom, looking up at the first half of the pass.
Essential Gear
Aside from the usual, cycling and camping gear, we recommend a pair of trail shoes, if you don’t have cycling shoes you are comfortable walking in to navigate the portage down Die Leer. Please also pack all your gear into a plastic container with a lid which closes firmly. This is to keep the dust which swirls around in the canopy of the bakkie out of your tent, sleeping bag and clothing.
Download the gear checklist, as well as the route maps, profiles and GPX files here.
A container like this Addis Roughtote (110l) is ideal. They’re currently R170 from Builders. Click the image to buy it online.
If you’ve been on one of our trips before you know what to expect. But if you have questions please drop us a line.
To book your spot or for more information please email info@diverge.info.
