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The secret of the Rooiberg Mountains

The thing about the Rooiberg Pass is simply this – few bikers ever talk about it. Sure, they all know the Ouberg Pass, Seweweekspoort or the Swartberg and Prince Alfred passes, but mention Rooiberg and they all get a faraway look in their eyes like someone who has seen the signboard, but has never followed the arrow.

No wonder, because the pass is on the far side of Van Wyksdorp – another place that makes eyes glaze over. This is a shame because, despite the claims of a Cape Town shopping centre, Van Wyksdorp is the centre of the universe. Or at least the unofficial capital of the Little Karoo from a biking point of view.

It lies to the south of Ladismith and you will find the turn-off just a fraction over 10 km from that town, on the Barrydale road: the R327. (The route that we actually recommend is from Barrydale: 16,5 km from Barrydale – on the way to Ladismith – turn right, after 51,5 km turn right again onto the R323, after 54,2 km turn left onto gravel road. Ride as far as Van Wyksdorp, where you will turn right after 94 km, to the Rooiberg Pass, and finally to Calitzdorp.)

As with all routes in this area, part of the enchantment lies in the names of the farms, each of which tells a story, or paints a picture of words in your mind. You ride over and past Klein Begin, Boerbonefontein, Opsoek and Olyvenrivier before you reach Van Wyksdorp. The Western Cape’s very own Mount Ararat is the greatest carbuncle on your left-hand side. About 31 km after you hit the gravel road, it is time for the first turn-off – to the left.

It’s easy to miss it, as directions are scarce. Look out for the big sign advertising Assegaaybosch – just beyond it the Rooiberg route begins in earnest.

The dirt road initially twists and turns through a short, nameless pass and just beyond Dwars-in-die-Weg it swings north. One of the problems of riding Rooiberg from Van Wyksdorp is that the best panoramas are behind you. So, stop often and look back – the ridges roll on to the Langeberg horizon.

Only 20 km beyond Assegaaybosch you hit the true Rooiberg Pass, which, understandably enough, takes you over the limbs of the Rooiberge. The highest peak is in the distance to the left, 1 490 m high.

Ride slowly as there is plenty of game here. On our last outing three klipspringers pranced along with us for a couple of hundred metres. Watch how the vegetation changes too. On the seaward side it is still protea country, but beyond the crest it is all Karroo bush.

And then: the most striking view of the day is when you descend the Calitzdorp side.

It’s not just the broad green band of the Gamka River Valley that takes your breath away; it is also the view over the mountain beyond: the Klein Swartberg far to the left, where you can see the ravines of Seweweekspoort on a clear day. And the Groot Swartberg far behind Calitzdorp. Even Oudtshoorn is visible in the haze.

At the bottom of the pass you ride through the farmyard of Rietvlei and then the road becomes flat and tame until you hang left at Rose Villa for the last few kilometres to Calitzdorp. Usually you will see literally thousands of ostriches in one feedlot after the other – and like clockwork they run along with the motorbikes, as if they share some obscure family bond.

The last secret that this route yields is the vineyards of Calitzdorp. People who normally travel the R62 tar road are seldom aware of the extensive, irrigated grapevines that are cultivated in abundance beside the Gamka River. We were last there during harvest last, and managed to beg a bunch or two from a heavily laden tractor and trailer. Pure, edible sunshine.

Route grading

2

Starting point

Barrydale

Distance

From Barrydale to Calitzdorp it is 146 km.

Duration

4 hours