Sabie, Pilgrim’s Rest, Ohrigstad – 4 days (adventure bike)
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1. Total distance of route and date of ride?
+/- 1 300 km; February 2011
2. How long did it take to complete? Were you going fast or travelling leisurely?
Four days. Leisurely.
3. Why do you recommend this route?
Within a comfortable four-hour range of Johannesburg or Pretoria, including great riding from early on in your journey from Gauteng.
4. Give us directions, please
Take the N4 from Johannesburg or Pretoria and head west to Mbombela (Nelspruit). Just north of Mbombela, take the R37 to Sabie. Then turn onto R539 all the way to Mashising (Lydenburg). Take R37 to Sabie. Continue till you meet R532, turn left to Sabie. With R532 you go towards Graskop and at T-junction you turn right to meet the R535 later, which you then take (left) to go to Graskop. From Graskop you go to Pilgrim’s Rest with the R533. Outside Pilgrim’s Rest follow the dirt road that follows the Blyde River. This road goes all the way to Ohrigstad. From here you take the R36 south and then later on turn left onto the R533 again, back to Pilgrim’s Rest and then Graskop.
Continue on the R533. A few kilometres from where the R535 turns off to your right you take a gravel road to your left. Follow this road all the way to the R531. Take the R531 north until you reach the R527. Turn left here towards Diputhi. Take the R36 south, pass Ohrigstad all the way back to Mashising. Continue with the R36 through Mashising and then turn onto the R540. Take the dirt road to your right which passes Enkeldoorn Primary School, Rooikrans Primary School and Bosfontein Primary School. This road later becomes the R577, which will take you to Roossenekal. From here you take the R555 south until you reach the R33. Turn right on the R33 towards Loskopdam. Take the gravel road to your left that takes you round Loskopdam to Verena-D. From here you take the R25 to Bronkhorstspruit. And from here back to Pretoria with the R104.
5. What kind of motorcycle is the route suitable for?
We did it on a Yamaha Super Ténéré and KTM 990 Adventure. The route is suitable for any adventure bike as the off-road stretches are not too technical. But you can also complete the route on a road bike and just bypass the dirt.
6. Please name significant points of interest along the way.
The Sudwala caves between Mbombela and Mashising is a great place to visit. And should you be on an adventure bike, the road from Sudwala Lodge (near the caves) to Mashising is an awesome ride.
In Graskop the Graskop Hotel is a lovely place to stay. Just opposite the hotel is Canimambo restaurant which serves excellent fish and gigantic hamburgers. The Loco restaurant in the old Graskop railway station building is a local favourite and popular with bikers. Remember to visit sites like the Pinnacle, God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes near Graskop.
7. Are there petrol stations and motorcycle repair shops in the area?
More than enough petrol stations along the way. Towns are not far from each other.
There are some bike dealers and shops in Mbombela;
Rudamans Bike and Marine – 013 752 7077
Honda Wing – 013 753 7324
Kawasaki – 013 752 5026
8. Are there any dangers along the route?
Be careful on the passes on this route; Long Tom, Robbers and Kowyns. And be on the watch for wild animals, especially in the northern part on the R531. The grass is long and right on the verge of the road.
9. What did the trip cost in fuel, meals and accommodation?
+/- R3 300 per person.
10. Did you use any special gear?
Just my Bialetti Moka Express two-cup aluminium coffee maker.
11. Any must-do activities on the route?
Ride the passes and the dirt road from Sudwala to Mashising. See #6.
12. Do you have any other comments or advice about the route?
If you come from far, like the Western Cape, take it slowly and visit as much of the magnificent places this region have to offer. You are most likely not going to be here soon again.
13. Are there any doctors and/or hospitals in the area that you know of?
Ambulance services in this area:
ER24 – 084 124
Netcare – 082 911
Nelspruit MediClinic – 013 759 0645
Graskop:
Dr. Viljoen – 082 452 1209
Dr. Verster – 013 767 1705
Lydenburg Medical Centre – 013 235 2205
This route was taken from Greg Beadle’s book, BIKE: Tar & Gravel Adventures in South Africa, and edited for Bike Routes.
