4x4 Motorbike Routes

Suggested things to do:

Day1: Leave Tiffindell for “Lesotho View” and Tenahead Lodge for lunch on “the highest contour road in SA. Carry on to the top of our Natural Heritage site Naude’s Nek Great views over the escarpment; back towards Rhodes visiting the Naude Brothers memorial– drinks at Walkabouts – return to Tiffindell Alpine Resort (1)- (SA’s highest resort) via Carlisleshoek pass 

Day2: Extreme ride to Rhodes via Mooivlei and Mertuin (bikes only). Visit the Hamlet of Rhodes a National Heritage Site or down Volunteers pass, visit the Old Farm Implement Museum follow the route to Mosheshe Ford and swim in the Jakgomo Canyon sink hole, driving back past the southernmost volcano in Africa.

Day3: Down Carlisles Hoek, to Rhodes onto Mosheshes Ford turn off left towards Elliot on the 393, turn off to the top of the Bastervoetpad Pass (9) **

Take some photos and return onto the 393 and the onto the R58 sealed road near Elliot; turn right and return to Barkly East over the Barkly Pass(15). This is where they have recently (2013) discovered the fossilised bones of the world’s largest Dinosaur; Return towards Rhodes and left to Martin’s Hoek, swim in the Boiling Pot, visit the smugglers cave where Mosheshe hid 200 people from the British Army, (and now a popular night club on New Year’s Eve);

**Not recommended descending Basterfoot Pass unless you are prepared for extreme 4x4 roads**. As the “Bastervoetslaan” is rated the meanest, most technically difficult pass in South Africa it is recommended that this is done only after local advice, dry/good weather conditions and with more than one vehicle.

If you brave it down the pass to Ugie, you may return to Tiffindell via Naude’s Nek Pass (3) and The TT,  Tenahead to Tiffindell (1) (highest contour road in SA). Have a sundowner on Ben Mac 3001 and you will have done 4 of South Africa's High 5 Extreme Passes in one day.

Day 4: Down the Volunteers Pass, visit the secret Balloch Cave with its bushman art. You may wish to pass the day here with mountain biking trails, farm horse riding available -look out for the Cape and bearded vulture colonies here...  

OR... carry on past the Wartrail Country Club and over Lundin’s Nek Pass (10) turn off to Dangershoek and follow the river up to towards Telle Falls – hike the last stretch (15 mins) to the bottom of Telle Falls;

Carry on to Telle Bridge border post – cross and recross to Lesotho if you have your passport; carry on over Jouberts Pass (9) to Lady Grey. Lady Grey is the start of the lands toughest ultra marathon - the Salomon Sky Run– 100km from here to The Wartrail Country Club (on 22^nd Nov this year 2014); Lunch in Lady Grey .RETURN on the main roads:

EITHER taking the second turn off to Tiffindell (5kms from Barkly East). Here you will cross the National Monument of Loch Bridge “the bridge over the river Kraai”, then look out on the left as there is a section of switch-back railway line rising from the river valley. Then up the Bidstone Pass to the comfort of Tiffindell.

OR return via Barkley East and Rhodes.

Always carry your camera or go pro as the views, light and weather can present incredible opportunities for some remarkable shots.

Look out for Jackal Buzzards, Cape and Bearded Vultures, Rock Jumpers, Blue Crane, Pied Starling, the Black Harrier and Secretary Birds; Mountain Reed Buck, Weasels, with Porcupines and Spring Hares at night, not to mention one of the clearest views of the milky way in the Southern Hemisphere.