Take your wheels for a swim - or two

The Bergwoning 4x4 Trail is a must-do driver’s trail. It’s worth the detour if you are in the neighbourhood, says Philip Sackville-Scott.

Right up against the Golden Gate mountains, just 15km from Clarens, is where you will find Bergwoning Adventures.

The farm lies along the R712, the road to the Golden Gate National Park. It is right next to the Kiara Lodge Timeshare Resort, whose residents share in the activities offered at the Bergwoning Adventure Centre. Thys Maritz devised the concept of an outdoor activity facility at Bergwoning in the nineties when Kiara offered no leisure activities.

Now you can do everything from abseiling, horse riding and quad bike trips to buggy rides, paint ball, a kiddies farm and, of course, a 4x4 trail.

The trail starts just outside the reception area in the Bergwoning Koffie Pot Restaurant. It is here - after a highly recommended Koffie Pot omelette - where you check in, sign the indemnity forms and are briefed.

The Bergwoning 4x4 Trail is a short out-and-back trail - 7.5 km of exhilarating twists and turns that takes some 3 hours to complete, depending on the weather. Located in a valley, it traces a seasonal river and includes numerous water crossings and steep climbs.

Dive right in

The trail starts after the farm gates on the opposite side of the R712. The track turns left, following green arrows down a short sharp dip into the water obstacle. It’s a tight tricky turn requiring the right amount of acceleration to get up the sandy bank on the other side.

The trail follows the water’s course, dipping in and out of the river. As it turns left up a steep bank, you could get cross-axled in the tight turn to the downslope on the other side. Then it’s through a wire gate and back into the stream again. The stream section is packed with rocks to make the going smoother. 

The next, technical, muddy obstacle looks simple, but has a nasty camber that forces the driver towards the escape route on the side. Diff locks and just the right amount of momentum will get you through.

The trail continues up to a lookout spot atop a small knoll, the highest point on the trail, before turning down a short, sharp descent, back into the watercourse. 

In the Red Zone

Next up is the optional, fun Red Zone where you need a spotter. While the main trail turns loops back on itself, this 1 km extension leads back to the water course. Steep and dotted with ouhout and maidenhair (chi-chi) trees, the thick vegetation requires careful negotiation as it zigzags south through a series of tight twists and turns. 

It passes through a harrowingly narrow passage between huge ouhout trees and out across a little log bridge. Rooftop tents and roof racks might catch here.

After the Red Section, the trail rejoins the main track and returns to the entrance along the way you came in. But don’t assume the challenge is over - each obstacle becomes a new experience, posing a new challenge. Remain vigilant to the end.

What you should know

Gradering: 3 but closer to a 4 in summer when the course is wet, muddy and slippery >

WHY SHOULD I GO?

For the scenery, the challenge and to reconnect with your family

EN ROUTE?

• How long is the route? 7.5km
• How long will I be driving? 2 - 3 hours
• Maximum number of vehicles? No limit 
• Do I need a map? No
• Will my car be scratched? Possibly
• Should I take the running boards off? No
• Should I take a compressor? Yes, you will be asked to deflate to at least 1.5 bar. 
• Can I turn around halfway? You can turn around anywhere.
• Can we have a braai on the route? No
• Are there ablution facilities for day visitors? Yes
• Can I see game? No

THE SURROUNDS

• Best time to go? Year round. It snows in winter, and summers are greener.
• Should I take my family along? Definitely
• Just for the day or the weekend? You could go for a day, but a weekend visit would be more rewarding.
• The nearest town? Clarens (15km)
• The nearest fuel station? Golden Gate National Park (5km)
• How do I get there? From Clarens, take the R712 towards Golden Gate. After 15km turn right into Kiara Lodge and follow the Bergwoning Adventures signs.
• GPS: S28.50592 E28.55883

WHERE CAN I STAY? 

Stonefly cottage, a fully-equipped self-catering rondavel, sleeps 2, and there are two self-catering guesthouses that sleep 4 and 14, respectively. Breakfasts and light lunches are served at the Koffie Pot.

WHAT ELSE?

• Should I pack anything special? recovery gear
• What else can I do there? Abseiling, hiking, hunting, swimming, horse trails, quad biking, buggy rides, painting and pewter classes. Visit the art gallery and have fun on a kiddies farm.

COSTS

• Trail: R150 per vehicle
• Camping: R60pppn; Children under 12 pay half price
• Other accommodation: On application

CONTACT

Zieta Rossouw 082 396 7595 or Thys Maritz 082 336 3088; maritzmj@telkomsa.net, www.bergwoning.co.za

101 Trail Guide | 2010

Bergwoning

You will find Bergwoning Adventures and its two diverse trails 15 km from Clarens, surrounded by the Golden Gate Mountains.
Bergwoning offers a family-orientated 6 km scenic trail and a 26 km In-the-clouds trail led by its owner, Thys Maritz.
The scenic trail starts gently enough before becoming a series of mild inclines and declines with a few complicated rocky sections and river crossings. The difficulty of these challenges depends on the time of year and weather conditions. In the wet summer months, low-range is vital as the route becomes unpredictable.
Fording the swollen river and moss-covered boulders can get tricky, but concentration rather than experience is usually enough to see you through.
On a good day, the trail comprises mild inclines and declines, with some river crossings, and some very tight twists and turns where a “spotter” is required to see your vehicle through safely. The trail follows the course of the river, turning left up a steep cross-axled bank before turning back on itself down another steep slope.
From there it gets muddy, and there’s a technical section where diff lock, momentum and suitable tyres are needed to see you through.
The trail leads to a flattish spot on top of a small hill – a favourite for sundowners, as it has views of the Golden Gate sandstone formations. The trail then turns around on itself and repeats the rollercoaster in reverse, but don’t be fooled; each obstacle is a completely different when tackled from the other direction.
You need to remain vigilant right to the end.
Some sections are tame enough for two-wheel-drives in winter but it is adviseable to check first.
The guided In-the-clouds trail is a more serious challenge and needs to be booked in advance.
After starting in the valley, the trail traces a riverbed and includes numerous water crossings before it starts to climb.
It takes you up into the mountain, offering spectacular views and challenging sandstone rock obstacles.
Diff lock is adviseable.

Accommodation:
Stonefly cottage, a fully equipped rondavel, sleeps 2. There are also two guesthouses that sleep 14 and 4 people respectively. All are self-catering, although breakfasts and light lunches are served at The Koffie Pot. Campers and caravans are also welcome.

What else?
Activities include horse riding, abseiling, quad bike and buggy rides, hiking and mountain biking. For the littlees there is a kiddies farm to play in.

What you need to know

Contact:
Helena and Thys Maritz
058 256 1124,
082 336 3088,
maritzmj@telkomsa.net,
www.bergwoning.co.za

Nearest town: Clarens (15 km)

Best time to go: All year round. It often snows in winter but in summer it’s greener.

Trail distances: 6 km and 26 km

How long will I be driving? 2 hours, and 4-7 hours

GPS: S28.50969 E28.56188

FULL REVIEW | APRIL 2006 (DO14) | Danie Vorster

Nearest town Clarens (15km)
Contact Thys Maritz
Tel 058 256 1124
Cell 082 336 3088
Fax 058 256 1566
Email maritzmj@telkomsa.net
Website www.bergwoning.co.za
Best time of year All year
Maximum vehicles 30 (minimum 10)
Route distance 6km (2 hours) and 25km (4–7 hours)

Nestled against the Maluti Mountains, Bergwoning is a historical route with spectacular scenery.

Driving on rocky terrain and mostly through grasslands, this is one of those places where you can take your whole family to enjoy nature at its best – and pets are welcome too!

The 4x4 trails offer challenges for the newcomer as well as for the more experienced driver. The numerous activities at Bergwoning will keep the kids busy, giving you time to relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding sandstone cliffs.

The 6km trail is a lovely ‘family’ trail, clearly signposted, but challenging enough for the newcomer to test his vehicle and driving skills. After an initial gentle start, you soon get to a more difficult river-crossing, ideal for experienced drivers and adrenalin junkies.
Some recovery gear might be necessary after heavy rains. This section can be avoided, however. Most of the trail meanders along a series of mild inclines and declines and takes you through a beautiful valley between two hills.

The 26-km guided trail is on a nearby farm. It takes you up into the mountain and back along the same route. A diff-lock is useful, but not essential. The trail offers breath-taking views, numerous plant and tree species, and challenging sandstone rock obstacles.
It was created long ago to take a caravan to the shepherd’s hut – and the caravan is still used by the owner today.
Once down the mountain you can stop at Bergwoning’s own Tea Garden before heading back to your comfortable accommodation or taking part in one of the many activities on offer.

WHY I LOVED IT
“I loved this trail because of the stunning scenery and the hospitality of Thys and his wife.” Danie Vorster

WHERETO STAY
Accommodation:
There is a variety of fully equipped self-catering units.
Crowther House, with its lovely wooden deck to watch the sunset, sleeps 14. Mickey’s Finn Cottage sleeps six.
Stonefly Cottage sleeps two with a view of the trout dam.

Camping:
There is shaded camping next to the dam, with electricity, a communal kitchen and good ablutions with showers.

WHAT ELSE
Yearning for some real adventure? Bergwoning has it all.
Activities range from bird watching, horse riding, fly fishing and dune-bug rides to clay pigeon shooting, abseiling, mountain biking and more.
Bergwoning specialises in professional hunting safaris.
Clarens and Golden Gate and various other interesting places to visit are close by.

SPECIALIST PACKING

• Swimming costume and sunscreen in summer.
• Rain jacket for the well-known thunderstorms.
• Basic recovery kit, pruning shears and a tyre gauge.
• Warm clothing and plenty of hot chocolate are essential in winter!
• Also make sure that your binoculars and cameras are packed.

THE COST
Trails R75 pv
Day vistors R300 pv
Accommodation R150 pp.
Camping R60 pp (children under 12 less 50%) .
Cost for other activities available on request.

WHY GO THERE

• Great family weekend
• Good accommodation
• Many activities on offer
• Great mountain scenery
• Malaria free