WARTRAIL – BALLOCH - DANGERSHOEK
5 day MTB experience

It’s probably the most beautiful part of our country and most South Africans never get to see it.
Nic Davies, Durban

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R4999 p/p
5 nights fully catered

An awesome five days of riding in some of the most spectacular scenery South Africa has to offer. It is a remote area surrounded by mountains, transversed by trout filled rivers and once the home to countless San (Khoisan, Bushman). A harsh terrain, ideal for mountain biking, The climbs are rewarded with awesome descents, amazing rock structures, eroded over time and deep gorges. We will swim in pristine mountain pools, ride Moab, Colorado type flat flowing rocks and crisscross from Lesotho into South Africa in a seldom visited valley called Dangershoek.

We will do an assault, either up or down on the steep, windy, narrow, technical Volunteershoek Pass. At over 2500m it is silent and hauntingly beautiful, whilst at the same time introducing your body to high altitude riding. I have ridden up there on many occasions and it never fails to stir the soul…

The spectacular Balloch Valley is where we will stay, without doubt one of the prettiest valleys in South Africa with some of the best trout fishing around.  The farm is situated in a valley in the Witteberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape and majestic sandstone rock formations of unequalled splendour abound. The Willow stream on the upper reaches of the Vlooikraal River runs through the center of the farm and directly in front of the cottages. From the main gravel road one travels through a narrow valley entrance and it opens up to something very unusual, quite different to any scenery one would expect to see in South Africa. Wartrail is a mountain farming community steeped in tradition. Many of the farms are still inhabited by direct descendants of the original settlers to the area. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

Will structure the tour according to the level the group is at…enjoy the remoteness of the Wartrail region. Max riders 14, and if the group is too large (more than 14) or very mixed abilities, an extra guide will be used. This will cost an extra R175 per day split between the group. Cost will be R4999 for 5 nights fully catered.

DAY 1
Depart early and head for a remote part of South Africa near Rhodes, Lesotho and Barkley East. The drive from KZN will take you through Underburg, Swartberg, Mclear, Elliot, the stunning Barkley East Pass and then just after Barkley East you take the Tiffendal/Rhodes turnoff and head towards Balloch Valley which without doubt is one of the most beautiful and remote valleys in South Africa. It should take you just over 7 hours depending on how much you stop. If there is time and if you are up to it we can do a short ride. First night on Balloch farm.

www.ballochcottages.co.za

DAY 2
Early farm breakfast and then once again down the Balloch Valley. Perhaps this time you can take in the phenomenal rock formations and farm surroundings. Up the hill and over the top you will be greeted with a view of Halstens Krans and the, past our family farm, Glengariff and down towards the Wartrail Club. If you carry on straight you head to Dangershoek and Lesotho. Today we veer of right up Isted Hoek to the Dargle dam for a swim and snack, across to Bonnyvale, Sods Castle down a beautiful valley as far as the incredible double caves and then back to Wartrail. Ride  up to Wartrail View and back to Balloch. That is an awesome ride.

Trout fishing, an afternoon snooze, explore the rock formations, visit San paintings nearby…

View from our farm, Glengariff near Wartrail Sports Club.

DAY 3
After a farm breakfast we will head off down the Balloch Valley, I really enjoy this downhill, winding along the river before our first little testing climb of the day. When you see a long hill ahead of you we take a welcome right past the original Wartrail farm and onto the old trail that Moshesh used to get back to Moshesh’s Ford on the Kraai River.  Couple of river crossings, snacks on Eagles Crag and then we ride through stunning scenery in canyon like surroundings. You won’t see them without some exploration, but this area has an abundance of San paintings. Up to Burley turning in at Glen Gyle. There is a rutted cattle track, technical but rideable, up and around the mountain with stunning views of the area and then back to Balloch.

Probably a 3 to 4 hour ride depending on the pace setters! We can extend this ride very easily if the guys are up to it. I did this ride for the first time in December and am looking forward to doing it again. Perhaps a recovery drink and a few quiet cold ones, then lunch. Afternoon trout fishing, swim in the river or we can go for a short ride or walk to check out some San paintings. Perhaps just put your feet up…

DAY 4
We leave at sunrise! And ride up to Lundeens Nek 2162m….see view below. Then the drop down into the valley on my favourite downhill, worldwide! We ride up Dangershoek and into the remoteness of Africa. A very special place. The camp is all set up, there are showers, braai area, kitchen, mattresses, sheets, and so it is up market camping…we just have to get there! What can I say; this is a very special part of our planet. It is very remote and has a haunting beauty about it. I took a couple of mates here in December this year and they were blown away. (Tony Starke, Mike Frost, Hilton Frost) This area was part of the former Transkei and you will pass many remote mountain villages where traditional cultures and farming practices are still very much a way of life.

My favourite downhill to Dangershoek.

In the afternoon we will ride, and some portage to near base of Telle Falls which is seldom visited. This is rural Africa 50 years ago. The top of Telle falls can be reached from Tiffendal which is at around 2720m. We get up onto the ridge and then ride along slick rock. This is something special, really amazing riding and as far as I know we were the first to do it in December 2010. Look at the pictures, I don’t think it is necessary to describe it, fantastic riding. We then drop down into the valley and ride along trails on either side of the river, criss crossing from Lesotho into South Africa until we hit the dirt road. Camp the night under the African stars.

We ride all along the top the ridge in the foreground from right to left and then drop down into Lesotho on the other side.

Slick rock riding… something unique, unforgettable. Probably the first mountain bikes to ride here.

View from the camp site just before the mother of all storms

DAY 5

We have a number of options depending on the mood of the group.

Option 1 for the extreme mountain biker
we can head off towards the base of Tella Falls, very seldom visited and then follow the Basuto pony trail up into the mountains. We will have done an hour portage to get up but once we are on the top we will make our way across the top of the Witteberge Mountains near to Tiffindell. I was told about this route by farmers who ride their horses up that way And then depending on the strength of the group, we can ride towards the ski resort and down to Rhodes for a few beers at the Rhodes Hotel or carry on along a 4-wheel drive track leading us to Lesotho Lookout and then on to a well kept secret at 2500m above sea level, a quaint little lodge where three mountain ranges meet - the Drakensberg, the Witteberg and the Maluti – “a very special place where the hand of man has brushed it but lightly, beautiful San rock art being the only sign of its former inhabitants. The lodge is hand build by stone masons, Basotho style from rocks and stone collected from the area.”

A remote Sotho cluster of huts… they showed us how to get on to the ridge. Amazingly friendly.

2500m above sea level on the way to Tiffindell. The views and the stillness is mind blowing.

Anton Apps (Rhodes Extreme Organiser), Tony Starke, Mike and Hilton Frost
joined me for a few days in December. Mike and Hilton are regular visitors to Wartrail.
It is the kind of place that draws you back…it is a well kept secret,
but Ride Away would like to share it with you.
A mountain biker’s paradise!

Near Lesotho look out, heading toward Tena Head. There is no one else up here, we have the mountains to ourselves

…or instead of heading towards Tiffindell after the portage to the top, after traversing the high plateau, we ride Volunteershoek Pass as it winds its way down to the farming community of Wartrail. The road is narrow with precipitous drop-offs.  After the steepest section, there are wonderful views of Halstone Krans and the farmlands beyond. Interesting rock formations along this section, the most notable is "Funnystone" which lends its name to the farm opposite. We then make our way back to Balloch.

Option 2 For the adventurous mountain biker
We have another option…a ride into Lesotho towards Telle Bridge and up the next Valley, untouched and unexplored. We will then arrange transport back to Balloch. It was recommended to me by a farmer who has done the Roof of Africa and farms in the Wartrail area. Great for mountain biking and a beautiful valley in Lesotho as of yet, it hasn’t been visited by mountain bikers.

Option 3 For strong and adventurous riders
Last option for day 5 is to drive back from Dangershoek and we ride up Volunteerhoek Pass! Very tough but rewarding...

Nearing the top of a climb that is challenging both mentally and physically
I therefore put out the challenge…it can be done!!

It’s a very tough start, not for the faint hearted…but the challenge is there to get up without putting your foot down. Climbing 700m in around 6km but once you are up at around 2500m the views are well worth it. This is remote mountain biking heading in the direction of Tiffendal in the shadow of Ben Macdhui, 3000m and then a stunning descent down to Rhodes. After a couple of beers and pizza at the Rhodes Hotel or Walk About we make our way back over Moshesh’s Ford to Balloch Valley for your last night.

Option 4 As above but we will drive you to the top!

Here is what Mike Frost had to say after our trip there in December 2010…

CHECK OUT THESE IMAGES

Lundean's Nek

https://picasaweb.google.com/102444200867490785073/1MTBClimbToLundeanSNekNECapeWithRideAway#

Descent to Dangershoek

https://picasaweb.google.com/102444200867490785073/2DescentLundeanSNekIntoDangershoekNECapeBorderingLesotho#

Slick rock riding, Dangershoek

https://picasaweb.google.com/102444200867490785073/3SlickRockRidingDangershoekNECapeSouthAfrica#

It is an absolute privilege to be able stay on the beautiful Balloch farm. In all my travels, I have never come across such a beautiful valley with the stunning rock formations, crystal clear streams and the tranquillity that comes with it.

On the rides in the Wartrail area there is a crisp freshness to the air that only comes with the higher altitudes. The vast open expanses of rolling hills give you such a sense of freedom, but at the same time placing you in perspective with the big world. Riding through the remote farms you realize how tough the pioneers were in the rugged hills.

The day trip via Tiffindell and Tena Head to Rhodes was such a great challenge but done in such a relaxed manner that when it was finished, I wanted to do it all again the next day.

The part of the ride at Dangershoek is so remote and peaceful with a tremendously relaxed atmosphere. Nothing like a great days’ riding and then sitting high on a ridge watching the changing colours and light in the valley below with a beer in hand. Whatever you do, don’t tell Steve that a rocky ridge looks interesting to ride, the next thing you know, a way to ride it is worked out and the challenge is set. This is what mountain biking is about.

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5 nights fully catered, 5 days guided mountain bike trip.

Starting with dinner on first night, then breakfast, packed lunch, dinner for 4 days and ending with breakfast and packed lunch on day of departure. The first 3 nights are at Balloch, 4th night at Nomlingana, Dangershoek and 5th night at Balloch again. Routes are flexible and can be adapted to the strength of the group.