Die laaste dag. Die langste dag. Die mooiste dag.
The last day. The longest day. The most beautiful day.
Dag 5 van die Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek is die dag waarvoor jy die hele week gewerk het. 98.5km van Springfontein terug na Smithfield — die langste dag van die trek, maar elke kilometer word gedra deur die wete dat jy iets buitengewoons voltooi het.
Day 5 of the Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek is the day you've worked the whole week for. 98.5km from Springfontein back to Smithfield — the longest day of the trek, but every kilometre is carried by the knowledge that you've completed something extraordinary.
Ontbyt by Prior's Grange — dan die wiele op die pad vir die laaste keer.
Breakfast at Prior's Grange — then wheels on the road one last time.
🍳 Ontbyt by Prior's Grange voor die groot finale — die laaste keer dat jy jou bene rek voor 98.5km Karoo-gravel.
Breakfast at Prior's Grange before the grand finale — the last time you stretch your legs before 98.5km of Karoo gravel.
Dag 5 Hoogtepunte | Day 5 Highlights
🛶 Die alleenheid van die Karoo
Die Vrystaat op sy mooiste — 'n sonsondergang wat jou herinner waarom jy hier is.
The Free State at its finest — a sunset that reminds you why you're here.
Die Gateway to the Karoo vertel sy stories langs die pad — vir diegene wat stadig genoeg ry om te luister.
The Gateway to the Karoo tells its stories alongside the road — for those who ride slowly enough to listen.
Dag 5 is nie 'n dag van groot besienswaardighede nie — dit is 'n dag van die Gateway to the Karoo self. Wye oop vlaktes, 'n eindelose grondpad, en net jy en jou gedagtes. Die stilte van die Gateway to the Karoo praat op Dag 5 harder as ooit tevore.
Day 5 is not a day of grand sights — it is a day of the Gateway to the Karoo itself. Wide open plains, an endless gravel road, and just you and your thoughts. The silence of the Gateway to the Karoo speaks louder on Day 5 than ever before.
🌯 Verversingstasie by Badenhorste — Slykspruit (~km 50-51)
📍 Halfpad deur Dag 5 wag Karen Badenhorst by Slykspruit met die perfekte verversingspakket: Millize se suurdeeg wraps gevul met Towerbos hoenderfilette, en vars vrugtesap in sakkies. Na 50km in die saal is dit presies wat die dokter voorgeskryf het!
Halfway through Day 5, Karen Badenhorst waits at Slykspruit with the perfect refreshment package: Millize sourdough wraps filled with Towerbos chicken fillets, and fresh juice pouches. After 50km in the saddle, it's exactly what the doctor ordered!
🏆 Die aankoms in Smithfield — 375km voltooi!
📍 Smithfield — die dorp waar dit alles begin het, verwelkom jou terug. 375km. 5 dae. 2,110m geklim. Jy het dit gedoen.
Smithfield — the town where it all began welcomes you back. 375km. 5 days. 2,110m climbed. You did it.
En dan — Smithfield. Die dorp waar dit alles begin het, verwelkom jou terug. 375km. 5 dae. 2,110m geklim. Die Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek is voltooi.
And then — Smithfield. The town where it all began welcomes you back. 375km. 5 days. 2,110m climbed. The Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek is complete.
Fisio by David & Bianca Senekal wag vir jou — en dan die welverdiende viering! 🍺
Physio with David & Bianca Senekal awaits — and then the well-deserved celebration!
Dag 5 Roete Detail | Day 5 Route Detail
Springfontein → Smithfield
| Afstand / Distance | 98.5 km |
| Geskatte tyd / Est. time | 7u31 |
| Klim / Elevation gain | 430m |
| Afdaling / Elevation loss | 500m |
| Hoogste punt / Highest point | 1,570m |
| Laagste punt / Lowest point | 1,380m |
| Gravel / Unpaved | 82.7 km (84%) |
| Teer / Asphalt | 15.3 km (16%) |
| Graad / Difficulty | Hard 💪 |
Die langste dag van die trek — 98.5km — maar die afdaling van 500m beteken die pad werk saam met jou. Jy ry terug na waar dit alles begin het, en elke kilometer voel soos 'n oorwinning.
The longest day of the trek — 98.5km — but the 500m descent means the road works with you. You ride back to where it all began, and every kilometre feels like a victory.
🌯 Verversingstasie / Refreshment stop: ~km 50-51 by Slykspruit — Badenhorste. Millize suurdeeg wraps + Towerbos hoenderfilette + vars vrugtesap in sakkies. Die perfekte halfpadmerk-fees!
Millize sourdough wraps + Towerbos chicken fillets + fresh juice pouches. The perfect halfway celebration!
🔗 Sien Dag 5 roete op Komoot | View Day 5 route on Komoot
Die Volledige Trek | The Full Trek
Smithfield → Bethulie → Oviston → Gariep Dam → Springfontein → Smithfield
| Totale afstand / Total distance | 375 km |
| Geskatte tyd / Est. time | 26u59 |
| Totale klim / Total elevation gain | 2,110m |
| Totale afdaling / Total descent | 2,110m |
| Hoogste punt / Highest point | 1,570m |
| Laagste punt / Lowest point | 1,230m |
| Gravel / Unpaved | 288 km (77%) |
| Teer / Asphalt | 85.3 km (23%) |
| Graad / Difficulty | Hard 💪 |
375km van suiwer Gateway to the Karoo — 77% gravel, 2,110m of climbing, 5 days of unforgettable landscape.
375km of pure Gateway to the Karoo — 77% gravel, 2,110m of climbing, 5 days of unforgettable landscape.
🔗 Sien die volledige roete op Komoot | View the full route on Komoot
Trek Besonderhede | Trek Details
24–28 September 2026 | Smithfield, Gateway to the Karoo
✅ 5 dae / days | 4 oornagte / nights | Maks 10 fietsryers / Max 10 riders
✅ Ondersteuningsvoertuig / Support vehicle
✅ Alle etes / All meals + eerste rondte drankies / first round drinks
✅ Goodies bag | Fisio / Physio
💰 R9,900 per persoon / per person
🔗 Bespreek jou plek nou / Book your spot now — slegs 10 plekke / only 10 spots!
💬 WhatsApp vir navrae / WhatsApp for enquiries: 061 544 1436
🔗 Teken in vir ons nuusbrief / Subscribe to our newsletter
#GatewayToTheKaroo #GravelTrek #Karoo #Smithfield #Springfontein #GravelRiding #375km