Leeukloof Loop: A January Bikepacking Adventure

Having way overdone the distances and difficulty in 2024 we’ve scaled back for 2025. The annual Diverge Bikepacking trip will only be going over the Rooiberg Pass, twice, and conquering the mighty Attakwaskloof from the 2^nd to the 5^th of January next year. It’s not as tough as it sounds though, promise! If you’d like to join the Leeukloof Loop adventure here are the details…

The 2024 Tour took us through the Baviaanskloof, which proved pretty tough.

When, Where and What?

Arrival: 1 January 2025

Riding: 2 – 5 January 2025

Departure: 5 January 2025

From: Leeukloof Lapa

Stops: Klein Karoo Welgevonden, Calitzdorp, and Klein Moerasrivier

Riding Distance: 294km

Elevation Gain: 5 500m

GPX Files and Packing List: Download the Zip file with all the essentials here

Mark and Kim van Lith have recently purchased a farm in Ruiterbos and we’ll be starting the 2025 adventure there. Photo by Andrew Robb.

Day 1: Leeukloof to Klein Karoo Welgevonden

Thursday, 2 January 2025

Distance and Elevation: 75.15km with 1 407m of climbing

Start: Leeukloof Lapa

Finish: Klein Karoo Welgevonden

Garmin Course | GPX/KLM/FIT Download

Day 1 is an undulating day across the foothills of the Outeniqua and into the Klein Karoo.

The opening day of the 2025 tour traces the Outeniqua Mountains in an easterly direction until they culminate in the Gouritsrivier Valley. There we cross into the Klein Karoo and work our way toward Van Wyksdorp. The day will mix smooth gravel with rutted forestry roads and perhaps even some jeep track.

Day 1 Meals: Please pack lunch for the road, as well as braai meat for the night.

The first day starts in the Garden Route and ends in the arrid Klein Karoo. Photo by David le Roux.

Day 2: Klein Karoo Welgevonden to Calitzdorp

Friday, 3 January 2025

Distance and Elevation: 78km with 1 401m of climbing

Start: Klein Karoo Welgevonden

Finish: Calitzdorp Station

Garmin Course | GPX/KLM/FIT Download

The Rooiberg Pass is the major obstacle on Day 2.

Day 2 could be the toughest day of the route. Taking on Rooiberg Pass from the longer, southern, side the course undulates towards the foot of the pass, though in reality you will feel like you’re climbing all morning. The pass itself is just 7.2 kilometres long but boasts and average gradient of 7.3%, gaining 520 metres in elevation. Rough surfaces make the going slower, but from the summit a spectacular downhill awaits and the roll into Calitzdorp across the vlaktes will work any lactate out of the legs before a restful evening in the Port Capital of South Africa.

Day 2 Meals: Brunch at Van Wyksdorp and dinner in Calitzdorp.

Rooiberg Pass is rugged and beautiful. Photo by Shift Media Co.

Day 3: Calitzdorp to Klein Moerasrivier

Saturday, 4 January 2025

Distance and Elevation: 93.3km with 1 682m of climbing

Start: Calitzdorp Station

Finish: Klein Moerasrivier

Garmin Course | GPX/KLM/FIT Download

Day 3 starts with a tough climb, but the gradual grind out of the Gouritsrivier Valley isn’t to be underestimated either.

The penultimate day of the tour is the longest and once again crosses the Rooiberg Pass. From Calitzdorp the climb is just 6.5 kilometres long and averages 7.6% gradient, but it climbs from a flat valley road rather than from an undulating track across the foothills of the mountain range. From the summit the route descends into the Gouritsrivier Valley before spending the rest of the day climbing inexorably towards Klein Moerasrivier on the Robinsons Pass road between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay.

Day 3 Meals: We’ll restock snacks for lunch in Calitzdorp and grab more meat for the braai, if necessary on Friday afternoon.

The Day 3 route backtracks along the 36ONE route. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Day 4: Klein Moerasrivier to Leeukloof

Sunday, 5 January 2025

Distance and Elevation: 45km with 950m of climbing

Start: Klein Moerasrivier

Finish: Leeukloof Lapa

Garmin Course | GPX/KLM/FIT Download

The final day goes through the magnificent Attakwaskloof.

The last day takes on the mighty Attakwaskloof, its rocky climbs and steep descents. Without the support of the back-up vehicles, which will be driving around, you’ll have to bring a hydration pack and prepare to be self-sufficient. Once through the 22 kilometres of the kloof the surface improves but there is still a big climb to conquer. Anyone who has ridden the Attakwas Extreme knows that dreaded ascent out of Bonniedale. After 14 mostly downhill kilometres, to the Koumarivier crossing there are two more climbs and then a long descent to Leeukloof Lapa and the final finish line.

Day 4 Meals: Lunch at Leeukloof Lapa before hitting the road home.

Home of the Attakwas Extreme the Attakwaskloof is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the country. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Packing List:

Along with your mountain bike please bring a tent, sleeping bag, riding apparel for 4 days – including wet weather gear in the unlikely event that it rains during the trip – protein/meat for two nights (please ensure it’s frozen to keep the coolerbox temperatures as low as possible), 2 lunches, and 4 days of on the bike snacks. For more information about what to pack download the packing checklist here.

Pack your camping gear! Photo by David le Roux.

Meals:

Dinner Day 0: Self-Catered Bring and Braai at Leeukloof (Own Account)
Breakfast Day 1: Tea/Coffee, Rusks and ProNutro (Supplied)
Lunch Day 1: Trail Snacks (Own Account)
Dinner Day 1: Pack Meat/Protein to Braai (We will be supplying salad and garlic breads).
Breakfast Day 2: Tea/Coffee, Rusks and ProNutro (Supplied)
Brunch Day 2: Coffee and Brunch at The Mall @ van Wyksdorp (Own Account).
Dinner Day 2: At the Dorpshuis in Calitzdorp (Own Account)
Breakfast Day 3: Tea/Coffee, Rusks and ProNutro (Supplied)
Lunch Day 3: Trail Snacks (Own Account)
Dinner Day 3: Pack Meat/Protein to Braai (We will be supplying roast vegetables).
Breakfast Day 4: Tea/Coffee, Rusks and ProNutro (Supplied)
Lunch Day 4: Lunch Leeukloof Lapa (Supplied)

We will be swimming when possible, so pack your swimming costumes. Photo by David le Roux.

What To Expect off the Bike:

We’ll supply braai hardware, including fire wood; sides for dinner on Nights 1 and 3; ProNutro, Milk, Coffee, Tea and Rusks for Breakfast; and Lunch after the tour at Leeukloof. There will also be gas stoves for hot water, as well as a support vehicle – from which you will be able to resupply at regular intervals – for 90% of the route. Only the final day, through the Attakwaskloof and for a section of the track thereafter, will be self-supported. So, pack a hydration pack for that day, as it could be extremely hot and it will take roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to cover the 22 kilometres of the Attakwakloof section.