a list of west coast 4 x 4 trails
with thanks to Cederberg 4 x 4 http://www.cederberg4x4.co.za

a list of west coast 4 x 4 trails
with thanks to Cederberg 4 x 4 http://www.cederberg4x4.co.za

BOEGOEBERG 4x4 - ONE OF THE BEST MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND CAMPING FACILITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA - 20 – 22 MARCH 2010

AN IDEAL WEEKEND GETAWAY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

The Boegoeberg 4x4 trail is situated on the farm “Lambertshoek”, in the “Engelsman se Berge” overlooking Graafwater, Elands Bay, Lambertsbay and Clanwilliam.  Trail owner Sybrie de Beer has been committed from the start to making Boegoeberg 4x4 an eco-friendly, family orientated venue, ensuring maximum pleasure for the whole family, with the minimum impact on the environment.

It has attained its well-deserved “Top Ten” status in the Drive Out magazine. The camp area, with its well thought-out lapa, ablution blocks, plenty of shade, power points at each campsite and a huge swimming pool, are some of the many reasons why this trail is so highly rated. Definitely one of the best camps we visit throughout the year.

Koningskop Camp Site & 4x4 Trails
are to be found off the N7 on your way to Citrusdal from Cape Town

The camp site and 4x4 trails are situated on the farm Wilgerbosdrif between the Olifantsrivier mountains, 27km from Citrusdal and 17km from the N7. The farm belongs to the Spreeth Family and has been in their family for four generations. The main farming activities are citrus and rooibos tea.

Come and enjoy a peaceful weekend away from hustle and bustle of the city.

Bring your 4x4 and let it do what it was designed to, on our 4x4 trails. There is one for the adventours and one for the "not so brave", both have beautiful scenic views of the Swartland.

the sevilla rock art trail

The 4km trail winds along the Brandewyn river and visits nine sites of rock art paintings left behind by the San people, who inhabited the area for thousands of years.

The Sevilla trail offers some of the finest examples of rock art in the district and a fascinating glimpse into the world of these early inhabitants.
The trail is relatively easy walking, the atmosphere is inspiring and in spring the wild flowers are and added bonus. Small game, dassies and baboons may be encountered on the walk and a fascinating array of indigenous plant species and birds can be observed.

Porterville Blue Crane Route

Because the Swartland area and the Porterville surrounds in particular, are now home to the Blue Crane, the Overberg Crane Group has extended its conservation efforts into the area. This has given rise to the fourth Blue Crane route being formed. Blue Cranes are omnivorous and eat plant, grain and insect material, which is why the wheat lands and pasture systems here suits them so well. Nevertheless even here they face threats  including collisions with power lines and fences, misuse of agrochemicals, getting caught in baling twine, chicks drowning in water troughs and the theft of chicks for the pet trade.

The cederberg heritage route

The Cederberg Heritage Route offers a collection of four community-based walking trails in the Cederberg mountains, ranging from three to five nights. The majestic and rugged Cederberg mountains are only 2½ hours drive north from Cape Town.

The Cederberg walking trails are fully inclusive of all meals, entrances & park fees. Guests stay at comfortable guesthouses, some in the picturesque Moravian mission villages. Walks are escorted by local community members and, as overnight luggage is taken to the next night's stay, walkers only have to carry day packs.

FLOra and FAUNA ROUTE

For many years the spring flower route of the West Coast has had an international acclaim. The area receives little rain throughout the year but after winter rains, the entire landscape becomes a carpet of drifts of wild flowers with vibrant swathes of gousblomme and vygies.

The South African west coast area boasts an exceptional diversity of wild flower species due to the differences in topography, from the dry Karoo through to the wetter vlei areas of the Oliphants River and the Sandveld coast. The flower season peaks between early August and late September and its delights depend on the amount of winter rains.

the olifants River Wine Route

The Olifants River Wine Route winds like a beautiful silver thread for 200km along the fertile banks of the Olifants River from Citrusdal to Lutzille. Under the watchful eyes of the surrounding mountain peaks, Gifberg, Maskam and Koebee, the Olifants Valley offers a restful and calm environment of which city dwellers can only dream.

The area known as the Matzikama encompasses the towns of Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, Koekenaap, Ebenhaezer, Lutzville and Klawer, and once visited, one will find that lifelong friendships have been formed.

The route consists of only a handful of cellars that over the years have proved to produce excellent wines, capable of competing with the best in the industry and have won gold and silver awards both locally and internationally.

Hike The West Coast Crayfish Trail

The trail forms part of the South-North Tourism Route (SNTR) initiative, a community based tourism network developed based on sustainable and responsible tourism principles in conjunction with local people from the area. Most of the enterprises that make up the route were created in their entirety or in part with Social Responsibility funding from the Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T). The aim of this initiative is to establish a self-regulated tourism industry that will benefit local people.

The 6 day guided Crayfish Trail starts in Elandsbaai and ends in Ebenhaeser to the north, and includes overnight accommodation at community owned guesthouses in the remote villages of Steenboksfontein, Lambertsbaai and Papendorp. Although this is mainly a coastal route giving visitors the opportunity to explore virtually uninhabited stretches of coastline, the trail also occasionally meanders inland to visit interesting sites in the Strandveld.

Participants are asked to be patient, understanding and provide constructive feedback as to how the Trail can be improved. The trail price includes all accommodation as mentioned in itinerary, food, non-alcoholic drinks, local guides, hostess, support vehicle to transport luggage between overnight stops, transport between Lambertsbaai and Doringbaai, and transport for the driver from Ebenhaeser to Elandsbaai at the end of the trail to collect car.

Photo courtesy of Tiana Stanton

The Dunes 4 x 4 and quadbike experience

The Dunes is a well-run guided 4x4 route for anyone wishing to improve their sand-driving skills.

The best part is that it is basically vehicle-friendly. Of course there have been cowboys who have damaged their vehicles, but that's usually due to irresponsible driving and not listening to the guides.

The Hardeveld Route

The Hardeveld Route is an emerging tourism destination, aiming at bringing the benefits of tourism to the rural villages in the area. We are a growing destination, but bent on giving the visitor the best possible experience and whatever we advertise can be accessed by making arrangements beforehand.

Each village in the Hardeveld has something unique to offer the visitor.

Park your car anywhere at Nuwerus and take a stroll through the village, admiring the beautiful old buildings, amongst other the last complete corrugated iron house in the country. At Bitterfontein the railroad line ends and this is where the only green granite in the world is shipped from. Bitterfontein’s source of water is a desalination plant, where water from boreholes is desalinated.

THE MISSION VILLAGE ROUTE
PARTICIPANTS
Mamre Moravian Mission Station
Wittewater Moravian Mission Sta tion
Goedverwacht Moravian Mission Station
Wupperthal Rhenish Mission Station
Vanrhynsdorp – Troe-Troe Zending and Mission of the Little Flower
Rietpoort
Papendorp
Ebenhaezer
Vredendal – Vergenoeg Catholic Mission Station

List of local Tour Operators and Tourist Guides
1. MAMRE - Off the R307, between Atlantis and Darling)

Mamre is situated between Darling and Atlantis on the R307, within an hour's drive of Cape Town. It was first settled in 1701 when the Governor of the Cape, Willem Adriaan van der Stel decided to establish a military and cattle post in this area to protect the European settler's cattle from theft by the indigenous KhoiKhoi people. In 1808, when the Cape Colony was again under British control, the region was transferred to the Moravian Missionaries, Kohrhammer and Schmidt from Germany. In time a thriving mission station became established and all of the buildings dating from this period have been restored and were declared National Monuments in 1967. Today the mission complex at Mamre provides a peaceful oasis under the oak trees.

The Mission Route

A mission station route has been established north of Cape Town, along the sparsely populated west coast. There the landscape varies between wild white sand beaches washed by icy Atlantic Ocean breakers, to the mystical Cape Folded Mountain ranges, to rolling croplands of canola, wheat and vineyards.In early spring, this dry land is often carpeted with short-lived but colourful flowers.

The principal mission stations along this route are Wupperthal, Mamre, Goedverwacht, Wittewater, Papendorp and Rietpoort. Further south are the pretty Moravian mission towns of Elim and Genadendal (Valley of Grace).