Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
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Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
This past weekend we were three families that set off to the Cederberg for a nice weekend retreat. We left on Friday morning and arrived in the Cederberg in time to start the fires. First stopover Ou Werf (http://www.redcederberg.co.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). It was fantastic. Nice and rustic with traditional herder's cottages providing accommodation and a covered lapa area provided a cosy place to relax and enjoy a few cold ones while the fire was crackling in the back ground.
Saturday morning marked our departure for Mertenhof farm via Whupperthal. The road between Ou Werf (from Ceres to Whupperthal) is really a 4x4 track all the way. I did most of the road in low range, 3rd gear. It's a stunning drive with the Cederberg splendor surprizing you around every corner.
We arrived a bit late at Mertenhof and decided to do the route on Sunday morning rather. Shortly after our arrival a thunderstorm let rip and 18mm rain fell in just twenty minutes. (ever tried to pitch a tent in a thunderstorm?). Two of the families had small babies and the farm owner, Barry Lubbe, suggested that we "upgrade" to the farmhouse - Thank you Barry and Mariette.
Sunday morning the excitement was tangible, the vehicles and drivers was ready (some not so ready), but we set off for the track. Barry decided to join us, I think he was hoping to see the two recovery vehicles being put to good use with the Landy in tow, but all the vehicles ended up being quite capable of completing the course with no hick-ups.
The trail starts with a very challenging axle twister up the mountain and gets the Adrenalin rushing right from the onset. Once this obstacle has been crossed, the trail winds and climbs through the majestic Biedouw Valley. A few other challenging parts makes the route interesting, but easy enough to bring the whole family with.
What makes this trail so special is the three sight seeing stops. The first stop takes you to a beautiful waterfall, the second to the pot holes and the third to huge rock pools that can serve as a lunch or picnic stop while taking a dip to cool down. Unfortunately it was raining quite heavily when we arrived at the rock pools, so we couldn't enjoy a dip as planned.
The trail is 30km in total and will take roughly 6-7 hours to drive if one were to do it all in one go. There is, however, an option to do one part only or to split the trail in two legs and drive it over two days making it a roughly three hours on each leg. The trails is by no means a vehicle breaker, but is very challenging and fun to drive. You never get bored with the terrain and the views are spectacular. I would put the route on a comfortable 3-4 grading, but if you want to go test your rock crawler, this one's not for you. The trail is perfect for the weekender that want to enjoy beautiful surroundings with the family while dad get the chance to play on the rocks for a bit, without scaring the living daylights out of mommy and the kids.
If you are ever in the Cederberg or Biedouw Valley, I highly recommend this route. Enjoy.
Saturday morning marked our departure for Mertenhof farm via Whupperthal. The road between Ou Werf (from Ceres to Whupperthal) is really a 4x4 track all the way. I did most of the road in low range, 3rd gear. It's a stunning drive with the Cederberg splendor surprizing you around every corner.
We arrived a bit late at Mertenhof and decided to do the route on Sunday morning rather. Shortly after our arrival a thunderstorm let rip and 18mm rain fell in just twenty minutes. (ever tried to pitch a tent in a thunderstorm?). Two of the families had small babies and the farm owner, Barry Lubbe, suggested that we "upgrade" to the farmhouse - Thank you Barry and Mariette.
Sunday morning the excitement was tangible, the vehicles and drivers was ready (some not so ready), but we set off for the track. Barry decided to join us, I think he was hoping to see the two recovery vehicles being put to good use with the Landy in tow, but all the vehicles ended up being quite capable of completing the course with no hick-ups.
The trail starts with a very challenging axle twister up the mountain and gets the Adrenalin rushing right from the onset. Once this obstacle has been crossed, the trail winds and climbs through the majestic Biedouw Valley. A few other challenging parts makes the route interesting, but easy enough to bring the whole family with.
What makes this trail so special is the three sight seeing stops. The first stop takes you to a beautiful waterfall, the second to the pot holes and the third to huge rock pools that can serve as a lunch or picnic stop while taking a dip to cool down. Unfortunately it was raining quite heavily when we arrived at the rock pools, so we couldn't enjoy a dip as planned.
The trail is 30km in total and will take roughly 6-7 hours to drive if one were to do it all in one go. There is, however, an option to do one part only or to split the trail in two legs and drive it over two days making it a roughly three hours on each leg. The trails is by no means a vehicle breaker, but is very challenging and fun to drive. You never get bored with the terrain and the views are spectacular. I would put the route on a comfortable 3-4 grading, but if you want to go test your rock crawler, this one's not for you. The trail is perfect for the weekender that want to enjoy beautiful surroundings with the family while dad get the chance to play on the rocks for a bit, without scaring the living daylights out of mommy and the kids.
If you are ever in the Cederberg or Biedouw Valley, I highly recommend this route. Enjoy.
Last edited by 4x4 Junkie on Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:40 pm, edited 4 times in total.
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
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- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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- Real Name: Julian
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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- Vehicle: Hilux 3.0 D-4D 4x4 DC A/T
- Real Name: Julian
- Location: Somerset West
Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
Last edited by 4x4 Junkie on Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
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- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
- Town: Cape Town
- Vehicle: Hilux 3.0 D-4D 4x4 DC A/T
- Real Name: Julian
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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- Real Name: Julian
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
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- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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- Real Name: Julian
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
- Town: Cape Town
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- Real Name: Julian
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
...
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- 4x4 Junkie
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- Posts: 146
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:26 pm
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Special mention has to be made for this 2.5 D-4D.
This was the first 4x4 experience for its driver and both driver and vehicle impressed everyone.
Well done ... we salute you.
Just remember, we didn't get the chance to welcome you to the 4x4 fraternity, properly. This will need to be taken care of on our next trip.
This was the first 4x4 experience for its driver and both driver and vehicle impressed everyone.
Well done ... we salute you.
Just remember, we didn't get the chance to welcome you to the 4x4 fraternity, properly. This will need to be taken care of on our next trip.
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.
- Thunder02
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Beautiful part of the world
I see you made it a working holiday
The Landy...........
I see you made it a working holiday
The Landy...........
Not all those who wander are lost!
Scout motto:be prepared....
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Email: boksburg@4x4direct.co.za
IFS is like a swambo, soft, sexy and expensive!
Scout motto:be prepared....
www.4x4direct.co.za
Email: boksburg@4x4direct.co.za
IFS is like a swambo, soft, sexy and expensive!
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
LOVELY place !!
We have camped at Mertenhof a couple of times.
We have camped at Mertenhof a couple of times.
- FJCruiser-ZN
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Beautiful, thanks for the trip report
T
T
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Until we meet on a dusty road someday, somewhere, keep on Cruisering....
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Until we meet on a dusty road someday, somewhere, keep on Cruisering....
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Nice report and nice pics.
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Julian, that looks like a very nice trail to drive!!! Very nice trip report and the pictures are great!!! Please load some more pictures!!!
Johan Marais
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Baie mooi, thanx for sharing, will put it in my "must visit" folder
Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow!
1999 Hilux 2.7i 4x4 Raider DC with 3.4 Prado V6. Rear diff-lock, Bull Bar and rock sliders, 31" Cooper ST Maxx, Snorkel, Alu-Canopy, VHF Motorolla radio, West Coast Rust, Mikem Suspension, Ball Joint Spacers in front and Mikem extended shackles at the rear, 25watt LED Spots
1999 Hilux 2.7i 4x4 Raider DC with 3.4 Prado V6. Rear diff-lock, Bull Bar and rock sliders, 31" Cooper ST Maxx, Snorkel, Alu-Canopy, VHF Motorolla radio, West Coast Rust, Mikem Suspension, Ball Joint Spacers in front and Mikem extended shackles at the rear, 25watt LED Spots
- 4x4 Junkie
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Re: Biedouw 4x4 - Mertenhof
Thunder02 wrote:Beautiful part of the world
I see you made it a working holiday
The Landy...........
LOL Little do you know. My buddy has an Engel fridge in the back of his Landy and after a few glasses of Red forgot to switch the fridge off before going to bed on Friday evening. Saturday morning we needed to jump start the Landy. Taking pity on the poor bloke and being a respectful Hilux bunch together, we didn't rub salt in the wounds so didn't take a picture, but then on Sunday morning just before we tackled the trail, I notice this black bag in the back of the Landy ... We let this one slide and just a good chuckle.
But on the return trip to Cape Town the Landy really started playing up with the battery finally giving up the ghost. We decided to quickly stop in Citrusdal in the hope of finding a new battery. We tried a few places, but with not much luck. Finally I decide to pull in at Toyota Citrusdal and low and behold, one of the managers were there to quickly do a fuel cash-up for the adjacent Caltex garage. The poor Landy owner had no other choice .... and this time we made sure the incident was documented properly
Last edited by 4x4 Junkie on Mon Apr 08, 2013 8:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
If you still have blank pages in your passport, it's probably time for a road trip.