Unknown Mpumalanga Route

Hi mates

I spend my childhild years in the Badplaas area. In that area is a route to Barberton that is not known to many and traveld by few.

It is an ideal route for the GS guys, I would not do it with my RT

Traveling towards Barberton, about 1km outside Badplaas (on the right) You'll find the turnoff to Msauli (Msoli) (Diepgesigt) (Known by many names). It is a gravel road up to Msauli (about 50km). At Msauli you'll find the old ghost village (Used to be an Asbestos mine).

From Msauli you go up the mountain (still gravel) to the top. This is a steep pass with many turns. (beautiful, beautiful, beautiful)!!!

At the Top you'll find the turnoff to Swaziland, just continue on the road to Barberton. Within a couple of kilos the road will become a tar road. (Still under construction). You are now on the mountain with spectacular views all around!! Also with a lot of nice turns. This continue up to Saddleback pass. On This you go down into Barberton. The distance from Msauli to Barberton is about 75km.

On the mountain you will also pass the old cableway a couple of times. This cableway was the 2nd longest cableway in the world!

I suggest to sleap over in Badplaas or nearby, this will give you enough time to really enjoy the route from Badplaas to Barberton over Msauli.

Remember - not many maps will show this route

If you need more info on the route, send me an e-mail.

Greetings
Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Is it possible to give some co-ordinates of this road and of Saddleback Pass.

If you can see the road in Google Earth, then you can get the co-ordinates from the Google Earth screen (bottom left).

Thanks

Sounds like an awesome route.

I think we need to make a round trip in Swaziland and include this pass in the weekend.

Rudi can you make a proposal in mapsource and indicate roughly where this pass is?????

Believe this was included in a GS challenge a number of years back. ?????

Has the GS Challenge ever been held near Badplaas??

Think the GS Challenge might been confused with the 2006 ABBG.

AH! That makes sense! ABBG was there in 2006 I think?

Quite right, it was the ABBG. Can remember friends of ours that attended the ABBG, described doing this route and coming across the ghost village mentioned.

Indeed, we were there and there are some nice roads in the area

I'l see what I can do, whith some co-ordinates.

On the fotos of MadnohB is Nerston borderpost. Nerston is between Oshoek and Amsterdam, that is not near the route I,m refering too. One of the photos looks like if it was taken at Chrissiesmeer if I am not mistaken.

An alternative to the route is to travel to Oshoek, then turn off left to Chaka Stadt, also a nice pass to take. Then you'll join the road between Badplaas and Msauli. Turn right at the T-junction and you are on your way to Msauli.

I'll post some photos of the route.

Greetings
Rudi

I'll post some photos soon, but you are welcome to view some of my other photos at www.mywebroom.co.za. Click on the link for "Drive Out"

Greetings
Rudi

Sorry for hijacking your thread………was not deliberate.

I was not trying to post pics of the route you are referring to. The post took a turn to the 2006 ABBG which was staged at Badplaas and this were some routes we did in that area

More Info on the Route

Badplaas R38 25°57' 25.14" S 30°33' 47.33" E
Msauli Turnoff R541 25°57' 01.41" S 30°34' 39.81" E
Msauli 26°00' 21.70" S 31°04' 39.06" E ele 745m
Bulembo T-junction R40 25°56' 36.29" S 31°06' 20.99" E ele 1451m
Top of Saddleback pass 25°47' 52.40" S 31°06' 12.91" E ele 1312m
Bottom (Barberton) 25°45' 44.90" S 31°02' 59.60" E ele 745m

Greetings

Rudi

Thank you Rudi,

I have added this pass to the Passes-List.

The club have done this route in December 2002 and in Feb 2006 and we did it as part of the April 2006 ABBG in Badplaas. Very scenic route.

I am planning to lead this route on the Year end Function again. It is not to be missed.

Turn east from Badplaas and ride towards Tjakastad as per the route.

You omitted to mention what gear you need to take with, i e mountain climbing gear or snorkels.. and don't forget the spare clutch plate or spade and bucket? just teasing.

Is anybody planning a route for the road bikes?

There is a route for the club ride - this does not include riding on the highway.

Thought you were going direct because of your late departure?

This is the route for the Saturday morning?
Looks good!

JohanGT wrote:Is anybody planning a route for the road bikes?

Yes.. You will find Dave's maps for the Saturday outride at UPCOMING TRIPS > Year End Function
and the Friday route is on the website.

I have done this route recently. Absolute great scenery, especially in summer. Just be carefull of some nasty potholes on the last piece of the pass before getting to Baberton. Recent rockfalls may also leave rocks on the tarmac. Be carefull.