Gamkaskloof Info
Hello all
Il be doing the swartberg pass down into Gamkaskloof in March and wanted to know if anyone has done this recently and if they can give me any info on the road condition and tips on handling it and what to look out for. This is going to be my first big run on the 1150gs so not quite use to the size and weight on the dirt yet.
Shawn, you're going to enjoy this one. It's one of the most scenic rides in the country. Not difficult, if you have some off-road experience and the 1150 will handle it like a dream. I ride an Adventure and the bonus is the large tank which gets you in and out of The Hell without a worry about fuel. We did the pass in October last year and the road was in excellent condition. Hard gravel, some loose areas, but never beyond medium skill level. No sand! I always ride with knobblies, but there were guys on dual purpose tyres and they had no difficulty. Two river (stream!) crossings. There were road works going on at the time, but they warn traffic well in advance. Might very well be finished by now. The dangerous things to be on the lookout for:
- 4x4 vehicles approaching from the front on hairpin bends. Be cautious, especially in the last bit of the pass before the Hell, where the turns become very sharp and these guys cut the bends, ending up on your side of the road. They also tow trailers, which makes it difficult to pass them.
- Cyclists on mountain bikes riding very fast and often on the wrong side of the road
- Take it slow on the last bit before The Hell, the road descends sharply, with loose gravel and switchback turns.
Make sure you depart from a town nearby on the day you want to visit Gamkaskloof, like Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert or Calitzdorp, as it takes quite some time to travel the road in and back. Best is to overnight in The Hell, we had a real bash of a party there, it feels like you're the only people on earth! Visit this web-site for info: www.diehel.com
Enjoy, you'll remember it forever!
Frans.
I went ther about a month ago and the road is OK but take along everything you need because the people that run the place know thar you are over a barrel when you are there and will charge whatever they feel . They charge R20 for less than a kilo(and we waited a day for it !) of ice not even to mention the price of wood or beers , so if you are going by bike I would suggest go in and come out the same day
Hi, I've been down there a few times, the most recent time was 3 weeks ago. Some comments for first time biker visitors:
The road. It will provide you with excitement but it is not very technical riding. The surface was quite good, although you will need to go slowish over some stretches due to roughness. The water streams had no, or almost no water in it - so no problem.
Re safety. Always watch the road far ahead for dust then you know to expect a vehicle to reach you at some point (which may just be on one of the bends) - timing remains a bit of guesswork, but common sense will pull you through.
Your stay. You should absolutely not go in and out in one day. That will be rushing through a great experience. I assume you will not be travelling alone. Ideally you arrive in the Kloof by mid afternoon. You then have something cold at the Kiosk - that beer has the potential to be one of the most satisfying beers you will have had in your life to that point. You then camp or stay over in one of the cottages - for a first time it will really be worth your while to stay in a cottage. Contact Pieter and Marinet down there re a cottage.
Matters food and drink. You can also contact Pieter and Marinet beforehand (say a week) and "place an order", which can include steak/wors/chicken - whatever you want to braai. For a biker this is fantastic, because you literally need not taking anything down there yourself - they source it from Prince Albert and have it ready when you arrive. You can also check their prices with them - personally I think their prices are very reasonable, given the effort to get stuff down there.
Contact number. Pieter and Marinet on 023 541 1107 - this is at the Kiosk, so just phone again if you don't get them the first time.
Enjoy and let us know afterwards how it went. It really is a unique outing.
I'd be lying if I say your pilgrimage to the hell is a religious experience , but is for sure a special one.
And pilgrimage it is.
You are living in hisdory.
The dozer operator on the Allis Chalmers was a youngster, the foreman had only an Abney level (this is like a cross the size of a cricket stump with a cross bar that you can move to sight your line and measure the gradient (1 in 12) .... that's one meter fall over a distance of 12 metres.
The community in the Hell have volumes of history to keep you busy.
SANPARKS ahve a rock collection that skriks for niks. There are open air museums all over the place and you'll kick yourself if you do not take time to take in the very essence of what went on there for generations and how they re-invented the wheel in almost all they did because of their isolation.
The kiosk sells books on the Hell in English and afrikaans and if you stay, read them and then discover.
I will never do that ride in and out in one day.
Thats a criminal offence of the highest order.
a travesty of the moment.
If the history of the place does not grab you, then sorry mate you have little imagination and you should maybe just go to a movie and drive past.
Harsh, opinionated?
No, its real.
The 2 hour drive on the 50km road is just a gravel road like any gravel road... requiring a lot of defensive driving to avoid head on collisions and cyclists. people do this road in sedan cars all the time.
There are some spectacular panoramic views, but to turn around and come back up without getting aquainted, you came for the wrong reason. Please don't bother.
Truncilo por favor, truncilo, calmes, just take your time. It's not a fast place.
You can overnight in 2 camp sites and in many houses. Not sure if the caravan camps are still there or time expired and removed.
The Gamkas kloof is a magical place where time stood still for 20 families, and their pastoral life was unfettered by the world outside.
They proved you could live off the land form A-Z.
There are rock pools to swim in, trails to hike, caves to climb to, the river to fish in.......
Anbd the ride does exhaust you, a next day or longer is your best option.
I feel sorry frr the bikers who just go in and out to 'get the T-shirt' and tick a box.
Shawn, Jaco is right their prices are not horrendous and they have all you need.
I do a pilgimage there once a year and I'm still discovering its secrets.
for your first time, 'cos you'll want to go again, take it as a sighting visit, but take your time.
There are two rivers on the 50km road with reeds and a drift to cross, upstream of both are rock pools you can dip in and just watch the world go by.
March is a good time, still bit hot.
April and May are the best times to visit.
In winter the days are shortened by the high mountians either sied that close out the riaing sun and setting sun.
The stars are spectacular.
To all that commented thanks so much and you are right this is going to be a pilgrimage. Die Hel is one of those places that shows you that we really have alot to see in this country of our's.
We will be doing the trip for JHB and ending it Witsand can you suggest and nice routes to do coming out Swartberg to Oudtshoorn
Shawn,
I can send you files in .gpx format which you can then load to your GPS once you've perved them on your mapsource.
I would suggest go in and come out the same day
Absolutely not!
You should absolutely not go in and out in one day.
Contact Pieter and Marinet down there re a cottage.
I agree with Jakobus, go and relax in Die Hel and let it all soak in, you will feel it and understand what we mean. Piet and Marinette are great people, talk to them, and if you meet their mom, Tannie Annetjie, talk to her as well, she has wonderful stories.
I'd be lying if I say your pilgrimage to the hell is a religious experience , but is for sure a special one. I will never do that ride in and out in one day. Just take your time. It's not a fast place. You can overnight in 2 camp sites and in many houses. Not sure if the caravan camps are still there or time expired and removed. their prices are not horrendous and they have all you need.
Andy has summed it up perfectly. There is private accomodation available as well as Nature Conservation. There is camping, restored farmhouses and a choice of 5 caravans. Abluts at all the campsites are adequate and cleaned every day, the choice is yours where you want to sleep, you will enjoy whatever you chose. Prices are reasonable.
Die Hel is one of those places that shows you that we really have alot to see in this country of our's. We will be doing the trip for JHB and ending it Witsand can you suggest and nice routes to do coming out Swartberg to Oudtshoorn
shh, don't tell everyone it's there! This is a special place, you will take away something from it, and treasure that something for the rest of your life, I promise.
How much time do you have to get to Oudtshoorn from Die Hel? The shortest and quickest is out the Kloof, turn right, head down the Swartberg Pass and on to Oudsthoorn via the R328 (90km's / 3 hrs). If you have another hour or two to spare there are alternatives to this route. The pink ring below indicates 3 optional dirt roads, all are in good condition, the choice is yours which to take. If you decide to go check out Caltizdorp, go via the Calitdorp Dam, a beautiful road, and think about returning on the cement road, ringed in green as an alternative to the R62.
This is a beautiful area, enjoy your visit. I will be in Mosselbay in March for the Buffalo Rally and will spend the previous days in Die Hel, maybe we will cross paths.
Kevin
R1200GS-WP
Die Hel to Oudsthoorn
