Ganora Guest Farm Cycling

back

About Ganora Guest Farm Cycling

Ganora Guest Farm Cycling

Ganora Guest Farm Cycling Trails

You can choose to do easy rides, setup by Soeren Mades, near the homestead or try something a little longer. There are two marked trails on the farm that are accessible to mountainbikers, although some level of experience is recommended. Trails numbered 3 and 4 allow mountainbikers to explore the Karoo landscape the farm has to offer. You will need double shocks and a puncture kit for the longer ones. You will be biking through our springbuck camp and will surely be able to see some close by. Please bring your own bike along.

Recently Lucas Dreyer, from Pretoria, surprised us with a detailed review of his experience he had on a route of 62.3km JP suggested to him. This info will surely entrigue the more serious mountain bikers. It has as much detail in as you will ever need! Read about it below under "JP's Loop".

biking.jpg


Trail 3

Distance: 11.6 km.

Duration: 1 hour biking

Trail 3 forms a loop around the farm, and bikers will cross rocky hills as well as sheep pastures. At certain points bikers may have to lift their bikers over sheep gates if locked and over streams depending on the rain, although these streams are very narrow and easily crossed.

Trail 3 Map

ganora_around_the_farm1_trail_3.jpg


Trail 4

Distance: 19.7 or 21.3 km.

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

Trail 4 leads to a mountaintop on the farm from which bikers may view Compassberg in a spectacular panorama. The trails begins on a dirt road and passes a dam where bikers may see flamingoes depending on the season. As the trail ascends the mountain, the path becomes rockier. After reaching the summit, bikers have a choice of a longer or shorter route back to the main farm area.

Trail 4 Map

ganora_mountain_bikers_trail4.jpg

 


JP's Loop

 

62.3km

808 m gain

200W Estimated average power

lukas_graph_jps_loop_1.png

Lucas wrote:

 

I asked JP if there was a scenic 60-80km section of dirt road and without hesitation he pointed me in the vicinity of Sneeuberg. (See Google Map and downloadable KMZ and GPX files below)

I underestimated the beauty that would unfold in this exploratory ride and wanted to pay tribute to JP by naming the ride and sections after its chief navigator.

Be prepared to go out early, preferably sunrise. The temperature very quickly becomes a test in itself and make sure you have enough water.

Preparation wise this is not a casual ride. There are two climbs that will help you understand that the Karoo does have some climbs to take note of.

The views are spectacular, I stopped many times to take some Pano shots and took some GoPro footage on the faster descents. The surface was all-round good with loose rock on the latter part of section two.

The ride is broken up into three distinct sections:


Segment 1: JP se loop (Ganora tot bo)

22.6km

377 elevation gain

lukas_graph2_jps_loop_2.png

The air is crisp and you are warming up on this rolling segment that has Compass berg to your left for the majority of time.

As you enter Sneeuberg reserve you will encounter Springbok, Zebra and Wildebeest.

A steady climb will see you reach the highest point of the ride (1744m)

lukas_foto1024x522.jpg


Segment 2: JP se loop (Mynskag na N9)

18km

341m

lukas_graph3.png

This segment leads you into a South Eastern valley that stretches as far as the eye can see. Be prepared for some speed if you are willing to select the longer gears. Old railroad crossings remind you of the bygone era of transport logistics.


Segment 3: JP se loop (N9 na Ganora)

20.4km

350m elevation gain

lukas_graph_4.png

This section will be uncomfortably hot if you did not manage to start early enough. It starts at the N9 turnoff to Nieu-Bethesda and a quick glance up the valley will remind you of the constant climb to reach your destination. A few 12% grade climbs in short succession but elation once you reach the top and from there on it is all downhill. Watch out for the dry riverbed crossings that has some thick sand, keep it straight and peddle hard.

 

lukas_map.png

 

Here are the *.gpx and *.kmz files.

This ride was special due to the fact that I had no expectation. I will be sure to return and better some segments of my own. Happy riding!

One last option is to bike from the farm to Nieu Bethesda

Distance 8.6km

Elevation: 104m

profiel.png

Directions to Ganora Guest Farm Cycling

Directions

Just before entering Nieu-Bethesda from Graaff-Reinet turn right onto the pink brick paved bridge.  Turn right at the second 4 way stop. Into Hudson street. Turn left at the third street (Naude Street) with a small sign to Middelburg, Cradock  and Nieu-Bethesda station. After 5km you will find a turn off to the left which you can ignore. 2km further you will find the GANORA GUESTFARM & EXCURSIONS sign on the right-hand side. 1km after turning right you will find our homestead.

When coming from the North - Middelburg: 2km after you see the "Gods Motel" sign on your right-hand side (halfway to Graaff-Reinet on the N9) turn right at the Nieu-Bethesda sign. After 20km you will see our sign on the left hand side. 1km after turning left you will arrive at our homestead.

When coming from Cradock: Turn right at the T-junction (towards Middelburg). After 600 meters turn left towards Nieu-Bethesda for 20km. Turn left at the GANORA signpost and you will find our homestead 1km further on.

Google Map

Rates at Ganora Guest Farm Cycling

Prices from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020:

Standard Rooms: R560 per person sharing, Bed and Breakfast

  R840 Single, Bed and Breakfast

Large Rooms: R720 per person sharing, Bed and Breakfast

     R1075 Single, Bed and Breakfast

Meals: Dinner (3-Course) - R200pp

  Dinner (2-Course) - R180pp

  Lunch - R90pp

Children under 12 years of age: 1/2 Price

Guided Excursions

Bushman Rock Art and Anglo-Boer War Engravings Story (3/4hr-1hr) - R100pp

Medicinal Plant Walk (1 1/2hr-2hr) - R120pp

Explanational Talk in Private Museum on Fossils & Bushman Artifacts (3/4hr-1hr) - R60pp

Fossil Walk with Bushman Edging (1hr) - R180pp

Sunset Snacks & Drinks Available: R90pp

back
Cape Coast Accommodation

Cape coastal accommodation with West2Wild Coast

Share
Links
Activities
  • Cycling
  • Mountain Biking
 

ganora guest farm cycling

website design, search engine optimisation by ZAWebs Designs ZA Webs
web hosting by ZAWebs Hosting ZA Web Hosting