Ride Routes: Berg River Dam

Berg River Dam riding probably needs no introduction but if you haven’t been here yet there is a wide range of different routes that you can do, ranging from beginner to hike-a-bike experts. One of my favourite loops is one that links some of the Green Route with the Yellow Route that takes you up to the mast on the hill above Franschhoek.

A few months ago you might have seen two reviews on the GWM Commercial and Passenger P-Series bakkies. They were fantastic to drive and I have been looking forward to testing out one of their sister brands, namely, Haval. 

So when Haval sent us one of their updated H6 SUVs I jumped at the opportunity to head out to Franschhoek and ride the Berg River Dam MTB trails.

The 2021 4WD Luxury H6 has a 2.0lt turbocharged petrol engine and plenty of horses as well, I was surprised at how rapid this big car is when you really want to give it horns. 

There are some sections on this route that are very loose and rocky, with the odd hike-a-bike but the views are pretty epic! The Berg River Dam was a 14-year project that sought to help alleviate the water shortage struggles in the Western Cape. It was eventually completed in 2011 and since then local riders in the Franschhoek valley have been working hard to get a network of trails set up around the dam.

What struck me immediately is how well built it is inside. Gone are the days of ‘cheaper’ car brands coming out with sub-par quality interiors. The H6 feels about as luxury as most luxury SUVs and it has all the features of the so-called top-end SUVs selling for R200 000 – R300 000 more than the H6. One begins to wonder, why do we pay so much more for a car when there are options just as good for a lot fewer Mandelas.

There is no denying that it is a pretty spectacular place to ride a bicycle. Although maybe not as manicured as some of the other MTB trails in the Western Cape, it definitely gives a serious feeling of adventure when you are dwarfed by the massive mountains all around you.

The multiple driving modes were a huge plus for me, apart from the usual Sport, Normal, and Eco modes (which also adjusts how tight and responsive the steering wheel is), the H6 has multiple Terrain modes as well. Sand, Snow, Off-Road, and Normal makes sure the H6 performs in whatever terrain you find yourself in. Obviously, the ground clearance is not what you would see on an out and out 4×4 but for the places you would want to take a Luxury SUV, the H6 will be more than capable. Each mode automatically adjusts the steering responsiveness, as well as the gearbox and engine to give the H6 the best settings required for whichever terrain you happen to find yourself on.Off-Road mode engages 4wd with a ‘lower range’ setting on the gearbox, this can be done electronically and while driving. The H6 4×4 models feature an Intelligent Torque on Demand 4×4 System that analyses surface for grip with torque distribution ratio of front and rear axles up to 50/50

The climb up to the mast may not be the longest but it hits you with a 14% gradient in some sections, which proves to be a decent challenge, especially with the terrain as loose and rocky as it is.

The loose, technical climbs will definitely give you an added challenge.

As you can see a 29er MTB fits inside the car pretty easily with the seats folded down, but naturally a tow bar with an exterior bike rack would be better.

You can park and ride from somewhere in town and enjoy a meal afterwards at one of the many world-class restaurants and cafes. You can also park at the entrance to the Dam and ride from there if you prefer less tar. The entrance gate also has Snapscan codes that you can pay the R50 daily fee or R300 annual fee, as well as a large signboard with maps of all the routes.

The front of the car looks pretty mean as well. The front grille has been updated as well as the lighting and fog lamps are being updated to the latest LED technology. Some other fun features are the massive panoramic sunroof, the entire roof is literally glass which gives you a great feeling of being outdoors when you are driving and adventuring in far to reach places. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are standard but wireless phone charging and automated boot functions are only available on the Super Luxury model.

The 360-degree camera for parking and reversing is pretty nifty as well, there are literally cameras on every side of the car. It’s a small thing but one of my other favourite features was the rear taillight that goes across the whole of the boot. This gives the H6 a clean look in my opinion.

Just a heads up, if you attempt to ride the Dam 360 (Blue) route. The back section of the loop is a proper hike-a-bike section. It is more of a trail running route than a MTB route. Still fun though if you like pushing and carrying your bike.