Bolandcycletour day 11 – Rooihoogte, Karoo1

The most vertical gain of any day on tour. Up we go. From the very first km. This roughly 80km day is clearly split into two halves, for the first 50km we climb, and then there is a 30kms downward stint to cross the N1 national road (which is likely similar to an “I”-interstate road in the states). Enjoy the changing landscape as you become increasingly aware that we have long left the coast behind and are now approaching the semi-arid desert area called the Klein Karoo. After all, Montagu is considered the western gateway to the Klein Karoo, serving as the starting point for the 350-kilometer scenic valley stretch that runs eastward towards Uniondale.

3x water points for the day 💦 –

• WP1: 27km, Keisie lookout
• WP2: 41km, Oupa Batt
• WP3: 50km, 1234m tower

AfriCamps at Karoo 1, Hex Valley, boasts 13 boutique glamping tents overlooking the picturesque farm and its surrounding rock faces. The tents dot the landscape and lead the way to a stunning natural rock pool – an oasis against the arid Karoo backdrop. The Hex River Valley, known as the gateway to the Great Karoo, is an enchanting valley worth a spot on your Western Cape bucket list. Here, folklore meets thriving agriculture and remarkable rocky landscapes, giving visitors their first real peek into the Karoo.

africamps.com/farm/hex-valley-africamps-karoo-1/