101 Trail Guide | 2010

Rondegat 4x4

Rondegat is located on the banks of the Clanwilliam Dam. To the right is the Rondegat River, to the left the Olifants River, and in the middle – just you and yours, and miles of serene water. Allow for about three days on the farm to give yourself a chance to really unwind.
The first day could involve a scenic drive in – unpack, set up, breathe in the Cederberg air, relax and braai.
Start the second day with a leisurely breakfast, then a 4x4 excursion exploring the veld, and end off with sundowners on the banks of the Rondegat River.
Day three – another lazy breakfast, this time in town; an hour or two of random strolling, and a picnic by the river before heading home. Sounds great, but what about the trail? Well, it’s a straightforward 15 km circular trail on farm and fire management tracks.
It’s not difficult, although a few unexpected technical spots might catch you off-guard. The first 2-3 km hug the edge of cultivated farmlands before opening up into unspoilt renosterveld that traces the ridge of the Cederberg. The next 5 km take you up to the highlight of the trail – a lookout point with views across the Olifants River Valley and Clanwilliam Dam (best enjoyed with a mug of freshly brewed coffee and homemade sarmies).
Just before you reach the peak, you will encounter a tricky obstacle; it looks simple, but the trail is not rated “4x4 only” for nothing (although you could probably do it in a 4x2 … with diff lock and three seriously heavy okes on the back).
Once you’ve passed the lookout, it’s a gradual downhill all the way to the mouth of the Rondegat River. Work on 2-3 hours to complete the course – unless you take owner Charl along and end up tracking a leopard.

What you need to know

Accommodation:
Rondegat has 3 well-equipped family chalets on the banks of the Clanwilliam Dam. Visit the Clanwilliam and Citrusdal websites at  www.clanwilliam.info for alternatives.

What else?
Bring your boat, mountain bike, walking shoes, fishing rod and a good book.

Contact:
Anne Marie van der Merwe 
027 482 2527,
072 353 1170.
For trail inquiries contact Charl at 
082 777 2757; 
rondegat@mylan.co.za

Nearest town: Clanwilliam (14 km)

Best time to go: All year round

Trail distance: 15 km

How long will I be driving? Take your time and enjoy the views, but 2-3 hours should be enough for the trail.

Full Review | Francois Smit (November 2007)

Rondegat is not your typical Cedarberg 4x4 trail. Granted, it is for 4x4s only, but when it comes down to it, that’s not really what it’s about. Francois Smit explains.

I ’m a very lucky guy. For the past two years it has been my “job” to visit, map and assess all the 4x4 trails within the Greater Cedarberg Corridor.

Having been involved with the grading of trails for a few years now, I knew most of the 34 trails in the area, so it came as quite a surprise when I stumbled upon this little delight on the banks of the Olifants River.

Unless you know the Cedarberg area really well, you have probably traversed the same old N7 for years, senses dulled and half asleep at the wheel.

Well, it’s time for a change. Next time you are in the area on your way from Clanwilliam to Cape Town, try this little detour: In Clanwilliam, follow the main street south to the end, where it forks. Turn right on Old Kaapse Weg, follow it until it becomes dirt and then just keep going.

The road continues for 14 km, so don’t worry, you’re on the right track. Slow down, take your time and don’t speed. This is the start of your Rondegat experience.

Continue on your way, with the dam on your right, until you reach the entrance to the farm on the left.

A taste of the good life
They say the three keys to the success of any great establishment are location, location, location. Well, Rondegat has this in abundance.

Your first stop is the farmhouse. Check in, do the admin stuff, exchange cash for keys and head out. Retrace your tracks, re-cross the dirt road you have just entered on and, voila! there it is in front of you − the entrance to Eden. Goodbye cruel world, hello bliss.

Rondegat’s chalets are located on the banks of the Clanwilliam dam. To the right of you is the Rondegat River, to the left the Olifants River, in the middle – just you and yours, and miles and miles of unin¬habited aquatic nirvana.
I found three days the ideal stay. Day one: a nice serene scenic drive in, unpack, set

up and relax. Breathe out the city, breathe in the Cedarberg air. Braai.

Day two: a leisurely breakfast and a 4x4 excursion, some exploring of the veld and an afternoon of pleasurable liquid indulgence on the banks of the Rondegat River. (If you ask Charl van der Merwe, the trail owner/farmer/boat captain guy, really nicely in advance, you could even arrange a boat trip to town.)

Day three: another late, lazy breakfast, this time in town, an hour or two of random strolling, a picnic by the river pondering alternative procrastination techniques, before facing the inevitable, reluctant retreat home.

I’m with stupid!
The trail itself is quite straightforward, a 15 km circular route on farm and fire management tracks. It’s not difficult, but that said, don’t get too complacent − there are a few rather unexpected technical spots that are guaranteed to catch you off-guard. The first 2-3 km hug the edge of cultivated farm lands, before opening up into a Renosterveld paradise that traces the ridge of the Cedarberg Mountains.

The next five take you onwards and upwards toward the highlight of the trail, a spectacular lookout point that offers a view of unparalleled majesty across the Olifants River valley and Clanwilliam dam.

This type of high-quality viewing is best savoured with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and homemade samies, so come prepared.

Just before you reach the peak, you will encounter one of those spots referred to above. It looks deceptively simple, but remember, the trail is not rated 4x4-only for nothing (though you could probably do it in a 4x2 with diff lock, and three seriously heavy okes on the back).

As a seasoned 4x4 driver, I got caught there. It was my first “stuck” ever and moreover, the obstacle looked ridiculously simple. To my deepest embarrassment, I had to change my approach twice. I can still hear my wife giggling in the background.

It’s all downhill from here
Once you’ve passed the lookout, you’ve conquered the trail. From there, it’s a gradual downhill all the way to the mouth of the Rondegat River.

I would work on 2-3 hours – unless of course you take Charl along and end up tracking leopard, like we did.

So that’s Rondegat then. It’s not just about the trail, it’s also about everything else …

As it is just 14 km from the town of Clanwilliam, it’s the ideal base from which to explore the area. Alternatively, bring your 4x4, your boat, mountain bike, walking shoes, fishing rod or just a good book. Rondegat is a great place to escape to.

Drive Out says:
It’s not just about the trail, it’s about the place. And in truth, that’s why you bought your 4x4 anyway, isn’t it?