To Hell and Gone

tonyt's picture
While everyone was relaxing at Nelson's, I was one my way to Oudtshoorn - Mosselbay for the weekend, with one reason and one reason only - THE HELL. I filled up in Barrydale and thought if any GS's at Ronnies, I will stop and have a drink, but to no avail. However, just over the first hill I found a 1200GS standing next to the road with the rider. I stopped trying to find out if he is OK and started chatting. It seems he is from Belgium and is touring SA all on his own and wants to take a picture with his camera, but is trying to find help on the electronic documentation on his laptop. I tried to convince him to do "The Hell" with me but when I told him it is a gravel road he said he has done some gravel Road in Prince Alfred Hamlet area that day and does not feel up to another day on gravel so soon. Weird but nice chap. The Hell - It must be there somewhereThe Hell - It must be there somewhere Or Maybe There.Or Maybe There. Afer arriving on Oudtshoorn, I convince an old friend of mine (we have known each other since we were toddlers) to follow me in his bakkie to Hell the next day and he agreed. We left Oudtshoorn at 7:30 and stopped at start of gravel to deflate to 1.5 bar and disable the ABS. I must say, that makes a huge diffence. Swartberg Pass - The TopSwartberg Pass - The Top View to Prince Albert from Top.View to Prince Albert from Top. I am soooooo READYI am soooooo READY For those of you who have never been to the Hell, it is an absolute must and if you look carefully at the next picture round about in the middle of the photo you can see the gravel road zigzagging away on the mountain in the far distance. Can you see the road zigzagging?Can you see the road zigzagging? Road to HellRoad to Hell I also encountered a possible highjacker and wasn't sure how he will react. Possible HighjackerPossible Highjacker We stopped many times to enjoy the scenery and I also had to wait for my support vehicle a few times but finally got to the decent. I did a lot of engine braking going down to prevent unnecessary wear and tare on the brakes. The Decent - Offramp to HellThe Decent - Offramp to Hell Not much water to play withNot much water to play with Alles loop reg, Altyd Reg ToyotaAlles loop reg, Altyd Reg Toyota Carried into the Kloof by 10 Men and a counple of donkeys before there were any roads. Now retired.Carried into the Kloof by 10 Men and a counple of donkeys before there were any roads. Now retired. We got to the kiosk thinking it is the end of the road but Annatjie informed us that there is still another 7 odd km's to go. So we got two cold ones and off we went. I love this type of road.  It reminds me of the farm roads I use to ride when I was a kid.I love this type of road. It reminds me of the farm roads I use to ride when I was a kid. The road ends at a gate that is locked, apparently leading all the way to Calitzdorp, and we stopped at one of the streams to relax and enjoy the Heinekens before returning. Gerhard van Deventer and I - His nickname is WindpompGerhard van Deventer and I - His nickname is Windpomp Returning went a bit faster as we did not stop as much and I also knew the road better then. The Way BackThe Way Back Some more waterSome more water BackBack My original plan was to return to Oudtshoorn via Prince Albert and Meiringspoort but having my friend and his son with their bakkie with me, we decided to stop for lunch at Wilgewandel. I ended up in Mosselbay the evening with my in-laws and wife and after a not so good nights sleep and a walk on the beach I left for Seweweekspoort via Riversdal and Ladismith at about 11:30. It started to rain softly just outside Riversdal and I stopped to waterproof myself and the tankbag. Seweweekspoort also has amazing scenery and looks a lot like Meiringspoort except for the gravelroad. I met another gentleman from Cape Town on a yellow 1100 or 1150 GS in the poort but did not get his name before leaving for Gamkapoortdam. SeweweekspoortSeweweekspoort Close the GateClose the Gate The road to the dam leads through a beautiful kloof and is was very misty making it even more so glamorous. SpookySpooky Gamkapoort DamGamkapoort Dam Honesty ShopHonesty Shop I Love this CountryI Love this Country A friendly warning, there is no fuel available at the dam (unless I suppose you ask from Water Affairs). I returned to Laingsburg for a last fill up and something to eat and then left for the final stretch back to Cape Town. As I got to Touwsrivier the rain started coming down and did not stop until I reached Jip De Jager. Only my boots leaked but fortunately it was not to cold and I ended another pleasant, successful and safe trip.

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Joined: 2007/06/19
Nice trip report!
Corné (not verified)
Nice report... cool pictures... What spares did you carry with you? Corné Kloppers 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com
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Joined: 2007/11/09
Thanks for the report. Very nice. How long did the ride into Die hel take. Kobus --------- Dream like you will live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow
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Cloudgazer Steven's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
Nice. Why is it called The Hell? A name like that would keep me away - but it looks stunning.
There are so many problems in this world. Luckily there's a wristband available for almost all of them.
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Joined: 2007/11/09
Quote "Why is it called The Hell?" Nobody really knows. Kobus --------- Dream like you will live forever, live like you're going to die tomorrow
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tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Cloud from the PATourism Website (one of the stories I suppose): ' The name "The Hell" is attributed to a local stock inspector, who had to make a monthly trek into Gamkaskloof to check stock for disease. The route he followed was down the steep track known as "die leer" - the ladder. On one occasion he said it was like "going to Hell and back" - and it stuck. The Gamkaskloofers DID NOT approve of the name at all. When a Gamkaskloofer received a letter from the Receiver of Revenue addressed to "The Hell" he sent it back unopened with a note scrawled across the front: "They don't pay tax in Hell." ' Also interesting is www.diehel.com . If you go the history link, you will find a picture showing how they moved the car (picture in my report) over the rocks. "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Cobus, a comfortable hour and 50 minutes from the Hell turnoff to the Kiosk with plenty stops enroute. Back went a bit faster. All and all the trip took 7 hours from Oudtshoorn and back, including plenty of small stops (waiting for the bakkie and enjoying the scenery) and another 45 minute stop at one of the streams for a drink. "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Hi Tonyt, where was that gate ,as when I was there +- a year ago it was not there, at least I don't recall it.
tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Corne, I am a bit naughty when it comes to spares. I had with me a few Cable Ties, a puncture repair kit including CO2 refills, a Multi tool knife, a pint Oil and Camelbak filled with water and if all else fails , Faith. "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Neil, the gate is probably about 5 minutes drive after the T junction end of Seweweekspoort, Laingsburg Road and the Dam. They are also building a few chalets in the area now. "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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Joined: 2007/06/25
Tonyt, lovely report, a week later & I would have joined you. That area is fantastic,one of my favourites. That gate: Are they building chalets at the gate area or at the dam. Is that not a public road? Have there been provincial ammendents to the ownership of this road? The name of the pass is Bosluiskloof,quite hectic as I recall. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

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tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Cheesy, They are building about halfway between this gate (There is also a second gate and yes it is pu and the dam, I am attaching an image. BuildingBuilding I enlarged the photo by the gate and it says : "Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve (OPEN 2008..) Please respect nature, plants and animals, Drive Carefully, Reception and accommodation 9.5 km. Enter at own risk, Owners accept no responsibility. Bookings recommended 023 581 5046. " "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Hi Tonyt, if I understand correctly, the gate is a bit past the onion patch. (In my pics of my Gamkaskloof ride.)
tonyt's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Hi Neil, that's correct, before you get to the actual pass leading down. Loved the onions, almost stopped for a photo. "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... " Ewan Mcgregor - 2007
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Benna's picture
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Joined: 2008/01/15
Fantastic report. I MUST do this trip before departing to the real hot place... KIND van die WIND
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