My brother Paul climbs gingerly out of our Defender; it’s cold up here and we’ve reached the turnaround point – the lookout point just below Conical Peak. Straight away he bends down to grab a handful of snow – it’s his first time in the stu . He has the eyes of an excited kid.
Additional Info
- Nearest Town Ceres (35 km)
- Contact person Reception
- Telephone Number (023) 312 2282, Didi 082 453 9841, Waldo 079 502 7382
- Email info@matroosberg.com
- Website www.matroosberg.com
- Trail Duration From the reception to the Conical Peak lookout area is 13 km.
- Costs R250 per vehicle and R50 per person.
- Min / Max Vehicles None
- Guided / Unguided Both
- Difficulty Rating Depending on which section of the trails you try it can be anything from a 2 to a 5. Most of the trail to the lookout point is a 2-3. Even though we did not drive the 7 km top loop due to the snow we were told that this section is a 5.
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Rating Guide
1 Suitable for complete novices. Softroader friendly, no low-range required.2 Low-range required, but suitable for novices.3 Low-range and some off-road experience required.4 Technical trail for the experienced.5 Extremely technical, for experienced drivers only. Vehicle damage a distinct possibility.
- GPS Points Lakeside Cottage S33° 19.910 E019° 36.641 Start of 4x4 trail S33° 20.999 E019° 37.291 Conical Peak Viewpoint S33° 22.463 E019° 39.868 Nearest fuel stop Ceres
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Trail Details
TerrainMostly rock, both loose and solid. There are gravel and compact clay sections too but these are short. Obviously during snowfall, conditions will change rather dramatically.Will I get lost?NoRecovery facilitiesYes. A quad bike is normally sent up first to assess the situation and most times this is adequate as local knowledge and a few strategically placed rocks can create recovery miracles.Onsite compressor facilitiesYesOnsite high-pressure wash facilitiesYes
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Vehicle Details
Low-rangeDefinitelyDiff-lockNot necessary but it will help you along.Minimum ground clearance200 mmTyresAll tyre types have successfully negotiated the trails. We had MTs running at 1.5 bar and they easily chomped up the rocks and snow.Recovery pointsOnly if you plan on driving off the tracks and down the mountainside.Underbody protectionAs aboveSoftroader friendlyNot allowed on the trail. There is an Avis, 4x2 and softroader trail but it doesn’t take you up the mountain.What vehicle were we driving?A ’11 Defender 110. It laughed at the track and easily made its way to thetop. Every now and then the traction control light would illuminate. When the serious climbing started I engaged low-range and would shift between the first three gears.
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Accommodation
Camping is R70 pppn. The various houses and huts range from R135 pppn.
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Also in the area
EselfonteinSome of the best mountain bike trails in the Western Cape and only a 20-minute drive from Matroosberg. See www.eselfontein.com or call (023) 316 1726.Klondyke Cherry FarmSituated on the property next door. The picking of the cherries is seasonal so check out the website beforehand or call ahead. See www.cherryfarm.co.zaor 023 3122 877.
