For a leisurely day trip, you can’t beat the gravel roads following the meandering canals north of Hartbeespoort Dam.

South Africa’s North West province is synonymous with farming and Brits is its green heart. Thanks to a system of irrigation canals supplied by Hartbeespoort Dam, it’s become known as the vegetable basket of the region. The landscape is a patchwork of fields – peppers, tomatoes, brinjals, cabbages and other veggies – while the air carries the sweet scent of oranges. What many people don’t know is that a network of gravel roads criss-cross the area. With careful planning, you can string together a route that runs alongside the canals and avoids tar. That’s exactly what Tracks4Africa user Willem Rudolph did.

Willem set out to create a dirt road loop through this scenic landscape. His goal was an enjoyable Sunday morning run for himself and other adventure bikers. But navigating the way among the canals can be challenging as there are many turns and intersections. So he first plotted potential sections on the map and then did a recce in his Land Cruiser to settle on the best route. The result is a scenic 120km loop along gravel roads that follows the canals for about 60% of the journey.

Riding the Canals Loop 

To trial the route, Willem and a group of keen adventure bikers got together on a wintry Sunday. From their meeting point at the Engen Umfula 1 Stop, they quickly turned off onto gravel, winding their way through the scenic countryside. Aside from farmland, the area north of Hartbeespoort Dam is also home to game lodges and bush pubs. “You’re 60km away from the city and you could be seeing giraffe,” says Willem.

“This is a relaxed ride as it is mostly flat and there is not a lot of traffic. The gravel tracks are well kept, varying in width from a dual carriageway to a single car width.” It’s quite doable even for novices, making it an ideal ride for bikers who want to build up some experience off tar. “No special skill is required and some of the bikers completed it on multipurpose bikes. A couple of bikers also brought their companions along and they rode pillion without a problem.”

A sense of peace

Although it’s not hardcore, the Canals Loop certainly isn’t boring. Willem says the scenery is stunning. “You have to go there to understand the beauty of this interesting environment. For much of the ride, you are travelling alongside this channel of water that somehow draws you on. You ride through thickets of blue gums, past fields dotted with shimmering dams. There’s a sense of peace out there even though you’re close to the city.” 

Being a breakfast run, there clearly had to be a breakfast spot on the route. Willem found the perfect place in Farm Vibes Guest House, situated around the halfway mark. Although it is a guest house that typically caters only for overnight visitors, Willem arranged a breakfast buffet with the owner in advance. Surrounded by the lovely green garden, the bikers could refuel before the next stretch. It also made a convenient meeting point for any riders who fell behind or took a wrong turn. 

Good to know for bikers

• In winter there is a lot of dust on this route, so leave enough space between riders. Summer rains will likely cause muddy patches – it’s best to take a slow and steady approach.
• Even in winter you will get your wheels wet as there are a couple of shallow water crossings due to overflow from a weir. 
• Although the gravel roads tend to be quiet, they are not completely deserted. It is important to stick to your side of the road, especially when coming up a blind rise.

• The road surface is good, so travelling at 40-60km/h is doable. Even so, allow 1.5 hours to get to the halfway mark as you may want to stop for photos or have to deal with a flat tyre.
• If riding in a group, it is useful to have a backup plan of where you will meet if you get separated. 

The verdict

On his ride, Willem was accompanied by 12 bikers, of which the majority were experienced dirt riders. All the same, they rated the Canals Loop highly. Although it is mostly easy riding, cruising alongside this meandering waterway is something unique.

While the route is well suited to adventure bikers and mountain-bike riders, it would be just as enjoyable for those travelling in a 4×4. The landscape is postcard pretty and if you’re an enthusiastic photographer, you’ll find plenty of inspiration. From reflections in the water to an overgrown train track, these surroundings lend themselves to landscape photography. 

For a Sunday run with a difference, a loop around the Brits canals is just the ticket.

To see more of Willem’s adventures, follow @wildwilltour on Instagram.

Interested in doing the Canals Loop? Download the Canals Loop GPX file. Note that this is a GPX file, which can only be opened on a computer by using Basecamp, Garmin’s free software. If you are not familiar with Basecamp, you can find videos on the Tracks4Africa YouTube channel on how to install and use it.