- Draaihoek Lodge & Restaurant - https://www.draaihoek.com -

Calling 4×4 Enthusiasts to the West Coast

South Africa is a 4×4 enthusiast’s paradise. The mountainous regions and coastal areas of the Western Cape especially offer the most diverse and challenging 4×4 choices – from beginner trails to overnight expeditions for experts.

Draaihoek Lodge is fortunate to have 2 highly regarded 4×4 trails in the immediate vicinity [1] – Jakkalskloof, near Redelinghuys and Klein Tafelberg near Aurora.

Klein Tafelberg

Sandveld vista from 4x4 Trail [2]

Spectacular Sandveld scenery along the Trail

In the heart of the West Coast Sandveld, towering above the sandy plains, rest the lonely landmark Klein Tafelberg. Within two and a half hours’ drive from Cape Town, a visit to the Klein Tafelberg 4×4 trail sets a gateway for 4×4 tourists to explore this interesting region. This trail has gained a reputation for delivering the ultimate all-round off-road driving experience.

Explore this scenic and adventure-filled 4×4 trail, snaking along sandy fynbos covered slopes and weathered sandstone formations to viewpoints revealing more than just Sandveld flats. The owner of this ecologically sound 4×4 trail has put a lot of thought and effort into developing the trail and the facilities at the campsite.

As this trail is situated in the Sandveld, the majority of the terrain consists of sand driving with a recently added mountain section now forming part of the trail. This section not only provides for a break from the sand driving, but offers a different type of challenge to the driver.

The length of the trail is ±20km and it will take ±5 hours to complete. Various interesting challenges will be encountered, putting one’s sand driving skills to the test. The trail has a 4×4 rating of 3 (3 = Low-range and some off-road knowledge required).

Comprehensive information available at www.kleintafelberg4x4.co.za [3] .

Jakkalskloof

Rocky ascend on Jakkalskloof 4x4 trail [4]

A Rocky slope at Jakkalskloof

Nestled in a valley amongst Sandveld mountain ranges, Jakkalskloof is situated 8km North East from Redelinghuys and 190km from Cape Town.

Beautiful rock formations in various colour schemes as well as stunning kloofs are encountered whilst doing this scenic 4×4 trail. Even the Atlantic Ocean is visible on a clear day.

The trail offers both circular rocky and sand routes that are equally challenging and take approximately 4-5 hours to complete. Along the route optional challenges are available to the hard core off-road enthusiasts and adventurous – fortunately with escape routes.

The rock trail ascends and descends over a mountain range. Given the steep rocky slopes to conquer, the trail is rated a 4 (4 = Technical trail for the experienced).

On the Sand Trail at Jakkalskloof [5]

On the Sand Trail at Jakkalskloof

The 14km sand route runs mostly in a dry river bed with lots of soft sand , driving difficulty varying according the seasons. There are a couple of steep down- and up hills in this route. The sand banks are long, requiring lots of momentum and driving skill to get to the top. Some of them are so steep when going down that the nose of a vehicle could get stuck at the bottom if one’s vehicle does not have a good ground clearance.

Visit www.jakkalskloof.com [6] for more information should you be up to the challenge.