Valley of Desolation & the Sneeuberg Passes — Graaff-Reinet KarooLoop.
Distance
415 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
2,600 m
Valley of Desolation & the Sneeuberg Passes — Graaff-Reinet Karoo Loop.
A two-day Karoo loop from the graceful town of Graaff-Reinet into the Sneeuberg mountains. Day one climbs to the Valley of Desolation's dolerite columns and crosses the N9 over Lootsberg Pass to Middelburg. Day two returns over the quiet Wapadsberg Pass and detours to the off-grid art village of Nieu-Bethesda, home of the Owl House. Big skies, empty roads and classic Karoo hospitality.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance415 km
Days2
Total climb2,600 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 8 waypoints to discover along the way.
Graaff-ReinetStart · Start in Graaff-Reinet, the Gem of the Karoo — a graceful 1786 town ringed by the Camdeboo. Fuel and provisions here; the Karoo is empty beyond.
Valley of DesolationPhoto Spot · Dolerite columns rising 120m from the Camdeboo plain, formed by a 100-million-year-old volcanic intrusion. The overlook at sunset is one of South Africa's great views.
Lootsberg PassMountain Pass · The N9 climbs the Sneeuberg to nearly 1,750m. Snow closes it in winter. Vast Karoo horizons in every direction — watch for cold crosswinds at the summit.
MiddelburgOvernight · Overnight in Middelburg, a quiet Karoo rail town. Simple guesthouses and a hearty Karoo lamb dinner.
CradockFuel Stop · Fuel up in Cradock on the Great Fish River. The restored Victorian Tuishuise cottages line Market Street — last reliable fuel before the pass.
Wapadsberg PassMountain Pass · The R61 crosses the Sneeuberg on a quiet, sweeping pass once used by ox-wagons. Empty, scenic, and a favourite of Karoo riders.
Nieu-BethesdaScenic Point · Detour to this off-grid artists' village, home of the Owl House — Helen Martins' extraordinary outsider-art courtyard of cement owls and glass. Gravel access road.
Graaff-ReinetEnd · Return to Graaff-Reinet, closing the Karoo loop through the Camdeboo foothills.
More routes in ZA EC
Hogsback — Fort Beaufort to the Amatola MountainsZA EC · 110 kmBarkly Pass — Elliot to Barkly East (R58)ZA EC · 55 kmBen Macdhui & Tiffindell — Rhodes to the Roof of the Eastern CapeZA EC · 48 kmKatberg Pass — Whittlesea to SeymourZA EC · 65 kmWild Coast — Mthatha to Coffee Bay & Hole in the WallZA EC · 95 kmNaudé's Nek Pass — Rhodes to MaclearZA EC · 95 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS