Touws River, located only 2 hours from Cape Town, has a drier and less densely vegetated climate, making the region ideal for testing out your 4×4 vehicle. Venture out onto rugged tracks and drive through the veld while enjoying the vast and untamed Karoo landscapes.
If you are considering visiting Touws River or have already booked your Touws River accommodation, then you are probably keen to see what activities are available and what there is to do in the area. Explore our growing selection of Things to Do in Touws River and discover the magic of the Western Cape’s Karoo.
Close to Touws River, Western Cape, you’ll find Witteberg Private Nature Reserve’s Diep en Deur 4×4 trail, which is a whole lot of Karoo off-road fun. This 15km trail is one of four 4×4 trails in the reserve, and at the halfway point you’ll find wonderful views of the Matroosberg peak. Please note that a vehicle with 4×4 capabilities, low range, and high clearance is required for this trail.
The Gecko Rock Seattle 4×4 Trail is a 9 kilometre, one-way route that takes between two and three hours to complete. It links up with an access road, which leads to the beautiful Echo Valley Camp, as well as to other off-road trails. The terrain includes sand, gravel and rocks with plenty of steep climbs and descents, as well as sandstone ridges and pole bridges. There are tight corners, rocky outcrops and other challenging surprises.
This trail consists of one main circular route with some optional loops and a short obstacle course. Drivers can expect rocky terrain with some gloriously adrenalin-inducing descents, as well as cross-axles and side-slope climbs. The Leeuwenboschfontein 4×4 Trail is 20 kilometres long and has achieved an official grading of between three and five. It takes approximately four to six hours to complete, thanks to the challenges of the harsh, craggy mountains.
The Karoo Adventures 4x4Trail comprises of many circular routes, including 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 4×2 trail. The trails are diverse and offer a variety of difficulty levels. Some areas are easy to manage, even for those with less experience, while others are grade five sections that require technical knowledge and a whole lot of guts.
The Kopbeenskloof 4×4 Trail is open to drivers all year round. It comprises a circular section and a return route. There are parts of the route that have a grading of up to four, making it challenging. The trail is 36 kilometres long and usually takes between 5 – 7 hours to complete. The terrain comprises of rocks, gravel and sand, with some tricky ditches and deep river crossings along the way.
The Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve 4×4 Trail is a 30 kilometre route that does not require a guide. It is made up of solid rock face as well as a variety of loose rocks, sand and mountainous areas. The various terrains are graded between two and six, and it takes about six hours to tackle its full extent.
The Karoo is a semi-arid region, so it is important to be prepared for hot and dry conditions. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses. The Karoo is also home to a number of venomous snakes, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to wear sturdy shoes.
