Karoo Adventures 4x4 Trail

About Karoo Adventures 4x4 Trail

On the family-owned farm of Koenieskraal, in the heart of the Western Cape's Karoo, is the fun and excitement of the aptly named Karoo Adventure 4x4Trail. This experience is about two hours' drive from Cape Town, the capital city of the Western Cape Province. Despite its close proximity, though, the trails are set within the serenity and untouched beauty of the Karoo; where the unique flora and fauna define the landscapes, the air is crisp and the sunshine clean and warm.

The Karoo Adventures 4x4Trail is actually one that comprises a number of circular routes. These include an obstacle course to test the drivers' skills and technical abilities, a multi-day trail, and the Winter Trek Route, which is a soft-roader or 4 x 2 trail. The trails here are as diverse as the people that tackle them, and offer a variety of difficulty levels and rewards. Some areas are easy to manage, even for those with less experience, while others are grade five sections that require technical savvy and guts.

The terrain comprises largely loose and large rocks, which provide plenty of slip-and-slide under the wheels, and add to the challenge. There are also solid rock faces. There is a Mountain section and a Karoo section to the trail. The Karoo section is pre-empted by a good warm-up obstacle course (the Chicken Run). It has one challenging bit, but there is an escape route for those who prefer the less adventurous style of driving.

The Mountain section has a grading of two to five, thanks to some hair-raising climbs and narrow passes. However, the views are unrivalled. The entire trail spans 35 kilometres and takes between five and eight hours to complete. These are self-driven routes that are open all year round. However, heavy rains may necessitate the closing of certain sections of the trail, and those planning to tackle the Karoo Adventures trails should enquire beforehand to ensure that this does not hinder their plans.