Die pad lê voor. Die Karoo wag. En ons het dit gaan verken.
The road lies ahead. The Karoo waits. And we went to explore it.
Verlede naweek het ons Dag 1 van die Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek gery — van Smithfield deur die Gateway to the Karoo tot by Bethulie. Wat ons gevind het, het ons verwagtinge oortref.
Last weekend we rode Day 1 of the Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek — from Smithfield through the Gateway to the Karoo to Bethulie. What we found exceeded our expectations.
Hierdie is nie net 'n fietsrit nie. Dit is 'n reis deur een van Suid-Afrika se mees onontdekte landskappe.
This is not just a bike ride. It is a journey through one of South Africa's most undiscovered landscapes.
Die Wegspringplek | The Starting Point
Die pad begin hier in Smithfield — ontbyt by die Plaaswinkel, goodies bag in die sak, en dan die oop Karoo voor jou.
The journey begins here in Smithfield — breakfast at the Farm Store, goodies bag packed, and then the open Karoo ahead.
Die oop Karoo-grondpad lê voor — kilometers van stilte, gravel en vryheid.
The open Karoo gravel road stretches ahead — kilometres of silence, gravel and freedom.
📍 Die wegspringplek — Smithfield, Gateway to the Karoo. Die wit gebou regs is ons toekomstige fisiese Plaaswinkel — tans Sweetfield Heuning se prosesseringsfasiliteit.
The starting point — Smithfield, Gateway to the Karoo. The white building on the right is our future physical Farm Store — currently Sweetfield Honey processing facility.
Op 'n fiets is dit anders. Jy ruik die grond. Jy hoor die voëls. Jy voel elke klip onder jou wiele.
On a bike it's different. You smell the earth. You hear the birds. You feel every stone beneath your wheels.
Dag 1 Hoogtepunte | Day 1 Highlights
Die Karoo hou verrassings. Soms is dit 'n trop boerbokke wat besluit die pad is hulle s'n — en jy wag.
The Karoo holds surprises. Sometimes it's a herd of Boer goats who decide the road belongs to them — and you wait.
Dag 1 Roete Detail | Day 1 Route Detail
Smithfield → Bethulie
| Afstand / Distance | 87 km |
| Geskatte tyd / Est. time | 6u40 |
| Klim / Elevation gain | 490m |
| Afdaling / Elevation loss | 630m |
| Gravel | 72.9 km (84%) |
| Teer / Tar | 13.4 km (15%) |
| Graad / Difficulty | Hard 💪 |
Die roete begin op 1,550m en daal geleidelik na 1,270m — 'n lang, stadige afdaling met die Karoo-landskap wat oopvou voor jou.
The route begins at 1,550m and gradually descends to 1,270m — a long, steady descent with the Karoo landscape unfolding before you.
🌳 Middagbreek / Lunch break: ~km 46-47 — bruggie oor 'n kabbelende waterstroom, omring deur populierbome. Die perfekte plek om te stop en bene te rek.
A small bridge over a babbling stream, sheltered by poplar trees. The perfect spot to stop and stretch your legs.
🔗 Sien Dag 1 roete op Komoot | View Day 1 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 klim, 5 dae van onvergeetlike landskap.
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
➡️ Lees Dag 2 / Read Day 2 — Bethulie → Oviston
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