Klein Tafelberg-4x4-roete

Klein Tafelberg-4×4-roete

101 Roetegids | 2010

Klein Tafelberg-4×4-roete

By Klein Tafelberg, geleë in die Sandveld tussen Redelinghuys en Aurora, besef jy waaroor veldry nou eintlik gaan. Sodra jy deur die hek ry, begin die pret en moet jy jou banddruk verlaag om die kampplek te haal (vertrek verkieslik vroegoggend terwyl die sand nog klam is).
Hier ry jy op sand – ernstig op sand – en momentum is een van die goue reëls. Moet net nie te veel vet gee nie, anders gaan jy dalk teen ’n boom beland. En ry in ’n groep goeie vriende, want julle gaan mekaar langs pad moet help. Jy gaan byna ’n hele oggend aan die 5 km tot by die uitkykpunt ry, maar dis elke oomblik werd.
Daarvandaan kan jy ontspan en ’n oomblik lank jou nuutgeoefende sandryvernuf bewonder. Jy het pas die eerste deel van die Skilpadroete met sy gepaste naam agter die rug.
Die Adoons-bergroete is volgende aan die beurt, heeltemal die teenoorgestelde as die vorige roete. Blaas maar weer jou bande op tot by 1,5 bar, ruil jou vrou en kinders om vir ’n navigator waarop jy jou lewe kan vertrou en pak die steil afdraande tot in die kloof. Hierdie tegniese roete is nie vir papbroeke nie: Dis ’n wilde woeste bielie van ’n roete, wat meer as een passasier al laat besluit het hulle klim eerder uit en stap verder.
Terug op die hoofroete kan jy jou bande afblaas, jou vrou weer inlaai en in die rigting van Heartbreak Hill ry, waar jou voertuig beproef sal word.
Dik, dik sand, ’n ongenaakbare draai van 90 º en slim weggesteekte asknopers sal jou poging om teen hierdie steil helling uit te klim, die eerste van vele maak.
En jy hoef nie alleen te voel terwyl jy die graaf die soveelste keer uithaal nie … Volgende keer kan jy bergop kyk, en jy sal sien hoe die eienaar in sy mou lag – maar eintlik hou hy net die sake dop sodat almal veilig die roete klaar ry.

Wat jy moet weet

Blyplek:
Die kampplek is goed uiteengesit met ’n boma en ’n swembad in die middel van skaduryke staanplekke. Jy kan dus tot laatnag kuier en steeds privaat wees. Daar is warm storte en spoeltoilette.

Wat nog?
By Elandsbaai kan jy branderplank ry en kreef uithaal, by Verlorenvlei kan jy voëls kyk en voetslaan, Redelinghuys het geskiedkundige plase en geboue, en die Sandveldberg het mooi uitsigte en rotstekeninge.

Kontak:
Stephen Burger
021 982 3000;
082 558 4575;
www.kleintafelberg4x4.co.za

Naaste dorp: Redelinghuys (15 km)

Beste tyd van die jaar: Somer – dis lekker vir kampeer en die sand bied dan die beste uitdagings; lente vir die blomme

Roeteafstand: 17-18 km

Hoe lank gaan ek ry? 3-4 uur

GPS: S32.55713 E18.47351

Full Review | TOP TEN 2006

Nearest town Redelinghuys (15 km)
Contact Albert Smit
Tel 022 783 1682
Cell 083 429 9313
Email caritveldrif@xsinet.co.za
Best time of year Summer – great camping and the sand presents the best challenges. The flowers are spectacular in springtime.
Maximum vehicles 15
Route distance 17-18km or 3 -4 hours
GPS Points S32 33 25.9 E18 28 24.6

Drive Out is relieved to finally be able to proclaim Klein Tafelberg as a Top Ten destination. For years, readers have been asking us why such a magnificent trail has not been included in our selection, and the unlikely (but true) answer we had to give them was that Albert himself kept telling us that he simply wasn’t ready yet!

Wow! What a perfect destination. Klein Tafelberg is what our off-road lifestyle is all about.

Over the years Albert has succeeded in delivering the most all-round off-road driving experience that anybody can dream of. Imagine having both sand and rocky sections all on the same trail!

The fun starts as soon as you enter the gate, where you have to drop your tyre pressures just to make it to the campsite. The campsite is wonderfully laid out,
with a central boma and pool surrounded by shady sites, so you can kuier the night away and still have some privacy. But don’t kuier too much, because
you’re going to need all your wits about you to deal with (and truly appreciate) the multitude of surprises and challenges the morning will bring.

Leave early in the morning while the sand is still damp, and by the time you’ve turned onto the trail itself, you’re in for some serious sand driving. To add to the challenge, Albert has added some mischievous turns in thick sand to give you a couple of wake-up calls and remind you to keep up that momentum.
But too much momentum and you will find yourself parked up a tree!

Critical to your success here is camaraderie, as your mates will no doubt be helping you out along the way.

It will take you the best part of a morning to drive about 5km to your viewpoint. And boy is it worth it! There, you can sit down and savour the moment while reflecting on your newly honed sand driving skills, as well as the thrill of accomplishing the first section of the aptly named Skilpad Trail.

Next you have the option of tackling the Adoons Mountain Trail, which is the complete opposite of what you’ve just experienced. So, re-inflate the tyres to 1,5 bar, take a deep breath, swap the wife and kids for a trust-worthy navigator (you will need one) and take a steep rocky descent into a scenic gorge.

Follow the contour track that will hopefully bring you back up for air. Nice, technical driving – but not for the faint-hearted.

Back on the main trail, allow some time for the adrenaline to subside, deflate the tyres again, let your wife back into the car and head down to Heartbreak Hill. This is where your vehicle can really be put to the test. Very thick sand, an undeserved 90º corner and cunningly hidden cross-axles will make your attempt at this sustained incline the first of several.

While you will definitely feel the thrill of being on the trail on your own, some secret tracks along the route mean that Albert will never be far away. In fact, while you’re hauling the spade out for the umpteenth time to dig yourself out of yet another sand trap, do us a favour and look up the mountain. There’s Albert, having a good chuckle and making sure that, at the end of the day, everyone will be safe and sound.

WHY GO THERE?

Just two and a half hours’ drive from Cape Town
Enjoyable driving and great views
Excellent five-star facilities
Lovely bush camping location
Technically challenging section
Excellent sand driving opportunities
New groups are guided
Ecologically sound project

WHERE TO STAY

There is a lovely bush-style campsite with charming ablution facilities and plenty of shade (and sand!). A lapa and swimming pool make it more attractive.
For thos
e who prefer four solid walls, try the Sandveld Country
Cottages nearby (022 9621 655).

WHAT ELSE?

The attractions of the West Coast are just a short drive away. Visit the towns of Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay and enjoy a meal at one of the outdoor seafood restaurants on the coast.