Gemsbokfontein

This is the direct line between Tankwa Padstal and Da Doer Padstal that doesn't appear on any public map. At 46.44 km with 151m of climbing, the route crosses private farmland and several uninhabited reserves, threading through classic Karoo terrain — sandy patches, slippery clay and mud when wet, washouts, and dongas that keep you honest. The Ongeluks River crossings are the key variable: in dry conditions they're a manageable axle-depth wade; after heavy rain they can be impassable. Multiple gates along the way mean you'll be stopping regularly — leave them as you find them. Difficulty sits at 2–3 out of 5 and is genuinely rain-dependent. Novices should sit this one out. For experienced riders, it's a spectacular alternative to the R355 and a natural building block for a wider Tankwa National Park or Middelpos loop.