Gamkaskloof "Die Hel" — Swartberg to the HiddenValley.
Distance
74 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,400 m
Gamkaskloof "Die Hel" — Swartberg to the Hidden Valley.
The Otto du Plessis road drops off the top of the Swartberg Pass and plunges 37km of raw gravel hairpins into Gamkaskloof — "Die Hel" (The Hell) — a hidden valley whose farming families were cut off from the outside world until the road was finally built in 1962. A demanding, remote out-and-back on loose surface with no fuel, water or signal. One of the great adventure rides in Africa.
Quick facts
SurfaceOff-road
Distance74 km
Days1
Total climb1,400 m
DifficultyExpert
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The route.
Swartberg Pass Summit — Die Hel TurnoffStart · Top of the Swartberg Pass (~1585m), reached by gravel from Oudtshoorn or Prince Albert. The Otto du Plessis road branches west here. Adventure/4x4 bikes only — no fuel, water or cell signal for the next 37km. Allow up to 3 hours each way.
Gamkaskloof DescentScenic Point · The track clings to the mountainside then drops in tight, loose hairpins into the kloof. Spectacular and slow — big-drop exposure and no barriers.
Die Hel — GamkaskloofEnd · The isolated valley floor, farmed in total isolation until 1962. Restored stone cottages and shade trees make a good rest before the long climb back out the same road.
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