Trompsburg Karoo Loop
Trompsburg sits on the northern edge of the Great Karoo in the far south of the Free State — a small dorpie surrounded by the semi-arid landscape where the Highveld transitions to Karoo. The 40km gravel loop is a remote, meditative ride through a landscape of exceptional silence, vast scale and spare Karoo beauty.
What to Expect
Gravel roads on flat to gently rolling Karoo-edge terrain. Sparse Karoo scrub, rocky outcrops, the occasional windmill and vast open sky characterise the landscape. The riding demands no technical skill but the exposure, heat and isolation require solid preparation. This is one of the most remote rides in the Free State.
The Karoo Experience
The southern Free State Karoo is one of South Africa’s most profound natural landscapes — the silence is literal, the scale is enormous and the clarity of the light is extraordinary. Riding here requires patience and respect for the environment’s demands, but rewards with an experience entirely unlike anywhere else in the province.
Getting There
Trompsburg is on the R717 in the far south of the Free State. GPS: -30.0234, 25.7812.
n
🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →
More Trails in Free State
9 trailsBethlehem Singletrack Sprint
15km of punchy intermediate singletrack near Bethlehem — fast-flowing trails over red sandstone and grassland terrain,…
Ash River Outride
35km intermediate gravel outride along the Ash River valley in the northern Free State — rolling…
Fezile Dabi Farmland Loop
40km intermediate farmland gravel loop through the agricultural heart of the Fezile Dabi District — mealie…
Memel Mahem Guest House Loop
30km intermediate loop from Memel Mahem Guest House through the Memel wetlands and surrounding Highveld grassland…
Ladybrand Mountain View Trail
25km intermediate singletrack and gravel loop from Ladybrand near the Lesotho border — sandstone koppie terrain…
Golden Gate Mushroom Rock Route
22km intermediate route through Golden Gate National Park to the iconic Mushroom Rock formation — sandstone…
Virginia Mining Trails
28km intermediate gravel loop through Virginia's goldfields landscape — mine shafts, headgear silhouettes, gold mine dumps…
Golden Gate 30km Challenge
30km advanced challenge through Golden Gate Highlands National Park — extended highland plateau riding with dramatic…
Ventersburg Challenge Loop
42km intermediate gravel challenge from Ventersburg — a longer loop through the central Free State goldfields…
