I'm on a mission to find all the great kayaking spots in and around Gauteng. With that in mind, I headed out to Paddle Power on the Crocodile River, 4 km upstream from Hartbeespoort Dam and had my best paddle experience to date. Feeling your entire body work as you get into a paddling rhythm is a fantastic sensation, and you know you're doing good stuff like exercising your core, back, arms and legs – which is incredibly satisfying, especially if you're someone like me and spend way too much time sitting at your desk. But continually going around in circles on a small dam, albeit in a well-appointed kayak surrounded by greenery, can get pretty damn boring. The same scenery keeps gliding by like clockwork. Before you know it, you're almost on first name terms with all the coots (small water birds) defending their little territories around the dam, you've passed each one so many times. Okay, I'm pretty eccentric, so this most probably doesn't happen to you. But my point is, after putting in about six laps at Emmarentia, my mind begins to wander and I get bored. Here's the thing though: After paddling 6 km (one lap equals one kilometre) my body still has more than enough oomph to keep going, but I invariably stop and get out because I'm unstimulated. This is great for getting a couple of paddles in after work during the week, and seriously convenient as I live down the road. But when it comes to pushing myself physically and developing my endurance skills I need a much bigger pond. My next go-to place is Lake Heritage at Cradle Moon. Significantly larger than Emmarentia Dam, and only 36 km outside Johannesburg, it's a great place to paddle – and when I'm there I find I can naturally cover much more ground. Even better, when I'm taking a breather, I can just bob about in the middle, taking in the surrounding Muldersdrift countryside while appreciating the birdlife and watching game amble along its banks. They also have a great outdoor restaurant, so I always make a pit stop there before heading home. But at the end of the day it comes down to the same thing – I'm going around in circles, again. Paddle Power, my gateway to adventureWanting to broaden my horizons, I popped into Canoe & Kayak World and spoke to Robbie Herreveld – one of SA's most respected paddlers and kayak tourer of note – to get some advice. “Paddle Power,” he says right off the bat. “From there you can go 4 km down the Crocodile River and into Harties. Just keep on Malibongwe until you hit the Broederstroom T-junction and you're there.” Well, that was me sold. Two days later I was back, this time to purchase a really cool kayak life jacket – I was gearing up for my first mini adventure! On arrival, I found Paddle Power to be everything I'd hoped it would be. In many ways it reminded me of one of those rustic pub/eateries you can come across in places like the Eastern Cape. Following the colourful handmade “To the beach” sign, I walked through some dense indigenous vegetation and found myself on a small sandy area bathed in sunshine. Large enough to take a few tables and beach chairs, with enough space left over for small kids to play and build sandcastles, I thought it was a nice touch. To my left was the river, and up the bank on my right I could see the shaded deck of the Beach House restaurant that provides great views over the river. Paddle Power's main activities include river rafting trips and abseiling, but I wasn't there for that. On hearing what I was planning to do, Pat, one of the owners, warned me how low the water level was in some areas, commenting that some visitors have a complete sense of humour failure when they get stuck on a sandbank. This made me laugh – the whole point of taking on a paddle like this is to deal with what nature throws at you and work it out. If I'd wanted an uncomplicated, predictable paddle I would have stayed on a dam! Saying hello to the CrocodileNow I haven't messed about with small boats on rivers since I lived in the Eastern Cape during the mid 90's, but everything I'd learned soon came flooding back. My first “wake up call” was quite funny. The river bank dropped down about a metre and was fairly steep, with very little space for me to get my act together while climbing into my kayak. All was going well until I swung my right leg over the hull and my left leg sunk into the mud right up to my knee. Not sure how to extract myself, I gingerly lowering myself into the cockpit and somehow managed to wiggle my stuck leg free and give it a good shake (to wash off the thick mud) without tipping into the drink. Laughing at myself for forgetting how precariously sticky riverbanks can be, I headed out downstream on my way to Hartbeespoort Dam. When Pat mentioned the river was extremely shallow in areas she wasn't kidding. The first kilometre was fairly tricky to navigate, with me having to pay close attention to what the current was doing to pick out the deeper channels. Even then, the water was often too shallow to paddle, and I had to resort to using my hands to scoot myself along until I found a deeper section. But with all the sandbanks out the way, the river opened up and continuing on my way became a non-issue. With the current pushed me in the right direction, making paddling easy, I glided through the predominantly rural landscape dotted with expensive estates with views to die for. And the birdlife was spectacular. At one point, about one kilometre from Harties, I came across a vertical cliff that dropped straight down into the water. Dotted with precariously hanging trees, I paddled under the high-rise canopy and found myself completely engulfed by swirling swallows as they hunted insects for lunch. Then I noticed a pair of Malachite kingfishers hanging out on a branch close to the water not three metres away from me doing the same thing. It was a special moment, and exactly the kind of stuff that made me take up kayaking in the first place! My Harties experienceBefore I knew it I was entering Hartbeespoort Dam. The wide open, watery vista that greeted me I found completely liberating – I'd never paddled on such a big body of water before. So I struck out for the middle, not knowing where I was going, just that I felt free. Eventually, way in the distance, I spotted what looked suspiciously liked a yacht mast, so I changed direction to go investigate. Turns out I'd stumbled across the Ifafi Aquatic Club. After paddling closer to check it out properly, I then began considering my options. Although still feeling strong, I'm no Man Mountain and fairly new to paddling, so I didn't want to push things too far on my first major outing. With that in mind, I headed around the bay where the Swartspriut River enters the dam on my way back to Paddle Power. While doing so I came across a bird sanctuary chock-a-block with breading birds on their nests. The raucous cacophony of bird cries completely bombarded my senses, making the experience quite special – so I decided to take a well-deserved break and hang out watching them for a while. Heading back to baseBy now the sun had shifted somewhat in the sky and I realised it was time for me to start heading back. I had no idea how far I'd paddled, I just knew that when I eventually got back to the Crocodile I still had 4 km to go, and with the current working against me. Travelling against the current once I was back on the river proved to be quite interesting. Whenever I stopped paddling there was no forward momentum at all – I just stopped, then started moving backwards. This meant I had to paddle hard the entire way, it was my only option if I wanted to get back to my car and crack open a refreshing ice cold beer! Negotiating the shallow sandbanks proved to be particularly tricky. Although there was still just enough water to float my boat, it was too shallow for me to paddle, so the current kept swinging my bow downstream and back towards the dam. Knowing that it's always a mistake to fight a current, I went passively with it instead until I found my gap and headed back upstream. By the time I got back to Paddle Power I was happily exhausted, not to mention famished! So I settled down on the Beach House restaurant's deck for a couple of pints and some chow while I chilled taking in the view. And, as an added bonus, the one man band was knocking out some amazing blues – perfectly finishing off what had been an epic day. I've always known that I'd enjoy kayak touring, and now that I've completed my first mini adventure I'm chomping at the bit for more. In fact, I've already given myself a new goal; paddling the entire circumference of Hartbeespoort Dam – now there's a nice big circle for me to get stuck into! - (c) 2017 NavWorld To find out more about Paddle Power visit their website www.paddlepower.co.za

Kayaking isn't rocket science, neither is it particularly expensive, but it can give you a great workout. So if activities like going for a run or climbing onto a bike don't float your boat much, maybe you should consider giving paddling a try. That said, here's how I got into kayaking – hopefully my journey will help motivate you into taking up this amazing, multifaceted sport! Not all of us were born to run, or clock-up kilometre after kilometre along winding trails on a mountain bike. Fortunately, there are many ways for active types to burn calories, get fit and have some quality outdoor fun that have nothing to do with “mainstream sports”. I definitely fall into this category. I'll happily lug heavy camera gear around with me on a 15 km day hike. But if you ever catch me running, chances are something bad's going down – like I'm getting shot at! And I enthusiastically dumped my bike chain for the rush of an internal combustion engine decades ago. My main outdoor focus has always been water. (Although it must be said, hiking comes a close second.) My childhood passion, swimming, later morphed into scuba diving which, in turn, stoked my interest in powerboats and, ultimately, moved me on to sailing – where my interests remained stuck for longer than I care to remember. That said, I don't have a competitive bone in my body, so the thought of taking any kind of racing seriously just gives me the creeps. As a result I prefer more chilled, less structured activities where I get to push myself physically – often without realising it – while simply enjoying myself outdoors. So yeah, I definitely see myself more as a “weekend warrior” than a dedicated sports enthusiast. How I got into kayaking The kayak touring seed got planted in my brain back in 2013 when I signed up for a short offshore paddling course in Cape Town. However, I was still besotted with the 18-foot daysailer I had at the time, so it remained just a fun experience. But when I moved back to Gauteng last year everything changed – now landlocked, I had to come up with a radical new plan to get my “water fix”! Chad Andrews from Canoe Concepts playing model on our NavWorld photoshoot. It was November, and I'd met up with Chad Andrews from Canoe Concepts at Emmarentia Dam for a NavWorld photoshoot. I had recently interviewed him for a beginners kayak article I was doing titled Getting started: All the basic moves a newbie paddler needs to know and needed to illustrate the thing. Knowing that I was interested in paddling (albeit basically clueless!), at the end of the shoot Andrews casually mentions “You should seriously think about join the club, it's really affordable.” “Hey, why not!” I figured. “I'm already here.” So then and there I wandered straight into Dabulamanzi Canoe Club's reception to find out how the whole gig worked. What really surprised me was how affordable signing up was. Annual membership is just R720 (this diminishes as the year progresses), I also paid R100 for the SAMSA levy, along with R80 for my tag that gives me access to the showers and boat storage area. And, when I get my own boat (which I now have), storing it would only set me back an extra R1 000 per year. My luck was in timing-wise for the beginners paddling course, too. This cost R600, but courses aren't run regularly throughout the year. When the racing season is in full swing, like it is now, they shelve newbie training so members can concentrate on competitions. Considering the whole deal to be an absolute bargain, I paid up in full on the spot. Why joining a club makes sense I've completed enough boat competency courses to know how important it is to get the basics right before heading out on your own. And the quickest, most efficient way to do this is to join a club. For a start, you're surrounded by an amazing pool of knowledge – so you tend to not pick up any of those nasty rookie habits that are so hard to shake later on down the line. And yes, while I may not be competitive, I do want to develop an efficient paddling style. That way I get to work the main muscle groups that kayaking targets properly, namely my core, back, shoulders, arms and legs. It also means I can travel further with less effort. Even if you don't want to enter kayak marathons like these guys, you can still learn a lot by just observing their paddle techniques. Another advantage is you get answers to all your questions, often over a beer. And just by kicking back at the clubhouse, watching the “grown ups” doing their stuff, you get to understand what areas you need to focus on and why. Apart from that, you get loads of good informal advice. After I'd completed my beginners paddling course and was wobbling around the dam on my own, other paddlers would often stop and make constructive comments. Things like: “I've noticed you're not holding your paddle correctly, here's how you do it”, or “try this with your stroke, you'll find the blade strikes the water more efficiently”. In no time I was up to speed. And the beauty of it all was I didn't even have my own boat! I'd simply used one of the club's beginner K1 kayaks that are freely available to members 24/7. Apart from allowing me to practice enthusiastically over the December holidays without spending a cent, it also meant that I had some breathing space to save up for the touring kayak I wanted while still enjoying my new-found sport. I opted to pay for the beginners paddling course (comprising three Saturday sessions out of four) simply because I figured it was a really affordable way to get up to speed fast. That said, I could've gone a more informal route. The club throws in one free training session for newbies, which is enough to get you wobbling around and not falling in too often! Then you can either get a coach, or do your informal thing, relying on other paddlers to point out flaws in your form as you work it out for yourself. Finding the kayak of my dreams Paddling may be paddling, but how you go about it makes a huge difference. For example, you might want to enter marathons (which in my mind is best equated to road cycling), or go the touring route (the mountain bike equivalent). Then again, you could have aspirations to shoot rapids, or enjoy the hurly-burly action of kayak polo. And the boats used for each specific sport category are completely different. That said, I knew right from the get-go I wanted a touring kayak. But having wasted more money on boats than I care to admit over the years, I knew the best option was to buy secondhand. So I dived online and, after about a month of patient searching, I found an absolute bargain. My pride and joy ready and waiting for me to have some fun at Cradle Moon. I'd been coveting the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140 touring kayak ever since I first saw it at the 2016 Johannesburg Boat Show, but I never expected to get one so soon. Imported from the US, and a real quality build with a solid international reputation to match, it goes for R20 400 new (including the rudder system). I found one in immaculate condition, including rudder, for just R7 000! And, to sweeten the deal even further, the guy threw in a paddle worth R1 500 and a bilge pump that goes for R300. This seriously freed up my budget – allowing me to get a good Holdfast kayak mounting system for my car, a set of quality lockable tie down straps, along with a good collapsible kayak dolly to easily move my heavy 25 kg touring boat to and from the water. Right now I feel like I'm living the life of Riley. I still have a few more kayak bits and pieces I want to purchase, and some of the compact camping gear on the market is catching my eye, but I'm sure I'll be sorted by the end of the year. Right now I'm just concentrating on having fun – paddling at Emmarentia Dam in the week when I can, and taking my new toy out to Cradle Moon over the weekends where I can train and enjoy myself surrounded by nature. I also feel new destinations calling, my wanderlust is definitely growing – it's going to be interesting to see where I end up next! - (c) 2017 NavWorld

When Garmin launched the GPSMap 276Cx back in December 2016, both the marine and 4x4 overlander communities breathed a huge collective sigh of relief. That's because they'd been waiting for an worthy upgrade to the legendary GPSMap 276C for years! Although no longer “shiny and brand new”, the 276Cx is still one of the most capable navigation devices in Garmin's stable. To sweeten the deal even further, NavWorld has dropped the price to R10 799, and included a free Auto suction cup mount with speaker plus NavWorld Pouch (worth R1 478) to boot! If you're reading this, and have only really ever used Garmin’s handheld or automotive devices before, let us help put things into perspective. The GPSMap 276Cx was designed specifically for land and sea adventurers who require the most durable and functional digital navigator and chart plotter imaginable to reach their destinations. This sophisticated device achieves this in a variety of ways. The most noticeable being its gorgeous 5-inch LCD display that works in direct sunlight and offers a resolution of 800×480 pixels. This resolution offers plenty of headroom to display maps and other data. Old vs New: The original GPSMap 276C (left) and the new GPSMap 276Cx (right) One aspect that may surprise new users is that its display isn't touch-capable – causing newbies to get nowhere fast as they initially swipe or tap the screen to no avail. Fortunately, it doesn't take long to get used to its robust button interface. While this could arguably be a problem for average consumers accustomed to touchscreen devices while driving around town, the GPSMap 276Cx isn't aimed at that audience – but rather a more rugged crowd who desire robust, reliable functionality over modern convenience. The same, but completely different Looking under the hood, there's very little that resembles the old GPSMap 276C device. After a decade’s worth of technology advancements, Garmin has been able to cram a lot more into the 276Cx. This navigator now features GPS + GLONASS support. It's also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible and can even connect to ANT+ devices. There's also a removable micro-SD card slot that can be used to add new maps or expand the unit’s 6 GB internal storage capacity. Coming preloaded with TopoActive Africa Maps, the GPSMap 276Cx also includes a free 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery Subscription. What this does is make it even easier to transfer high-resolution satellite imagery to the device so you can get a better representation of your surroundings. Other BirdsEye Satellite Imagery Subscription advantages include the following: The ability to seamlessly integrate satellite images into maps whenever you need them. Allows you to layer vector maps on your device for a real-life view of roads, buildings and terrain. New images are updated frequently for greater accuracy, and the download process delivers faster updates. Captures the world in brilliant clarity and detail with high-resolution sub-meter colour satellite imagery. Hunters can perform preseason scouting, determine placement of stands and locate game pinch points. Helps hikers and campers find trails/trailheads and clearings for camping areas. Lets geocachers determine the terrain type around a cache and identify parking areas close to the caches. Allows travellers to view tourist hot spots and landmarks from an aerial view to make excursions memorable. Interestingly, the GPSMap 276Cx now also uses the same Garmin AMPS Rugged Mount that's used for the two Montana handheld GPS models. The device can be powered by your vehicle, by 3x AA batteries, or a 5000 mAh Lithium battery (that comes supplied in the box). Garmin says this battery provide 16 hours of usage. Considering this is a product for adventurers, the GPSMap 276Cx has a waterproof rating of IPX7 – which means it can be submerged underwater up to 1m in depth. Other tools such as the Barometric Altimeter and 3D digital compass come in handy when you're traversing remote landscapes. You can also pair it with your smartphone to get Active Weather Updates, enable Live Tracking, access Weather Radar data, update Live Geocaching information and receive phone notifications. Explaining the button interface in detail The buttons are what makes this product so unique and the layout has not changed from the original 276C. That said, here's a breakdown of its button functionality.  OUT & IN: Select to zoom Out and In on the Map Page. Works great to see the weather radar map when you zoom out. PAGE: Select to scroll through the main pages in sequence and to return to the home page. Hold down the PAGE button to switch between Automotive and Marine mode. QUIT: Select to scroll through the main pages in reverse sequence, revert to the previous value in the data entry field, or cancel a function. ENTER/MARK: Select to acknowledge messages and select options. You can also hold down this button to mark a Waypoint. MENU: Select to open the menu for the page you are on. Press twice to open the Main Menu. NAV & MOB: Select to open the navigation options. In Marine mode, hold to create a Man Overboard (MOB) and begin navigation to the MOB location. In Automotive mode, with an active Route, you can press and hold to replay the current voice prompt. Power Button: Hold to turn on and turn off the device. Select to adjust the backlight and external speaker volume. FIND: Select to find a destination. Pressing the FIND button twice quickly will give you the option of setting your current location as the HOME Waypoint. Directional arrows: Used to scroll, highlight options and move the cursor on the Map. Thanks to the larger screen on the GPSMap 276Cx, there's also a bunch of customisable screens that you can use when navigating with this device. Naturally, there's also plenty of space to add your waypoints, tracks and routes. In fact. the GPSMap 276Cx can store 250 routes, 250 tracks and over 10,000 waypoints. That is a lot of data! Simply put, if you're an adventurer who requires the best that technology has to offer, then this is the navigator for you. – (c) 2016 NavWorld

After much-animated discussion and debate here at the NavWorld headquarters, we narrowed down our five favourite MTB trails. These trails have been shredded more than once by the team here and we recommend you do too. South Africa is one big treasure trove of exciting trails, some discovered and others still waiting to see the light of day. And, with our sunny climate allowing for riding just about every day of the year, not to mention our country's spectacularly varied landscape – many of us quite rightly consider ourselves to be in MTB heaven. That said, not all bike trails are created equal. This got us all thinking about which trails rock the best. After bouncing the topic around the NavWorld office for a few days, here's a list of the 5 favourite MTB trails we either like to ride on a regular basis, or wish we could visit more often. Where do you ride, which MTB trails do you prefer, and what would you consider your ultimate biking holiday destination to be? Why not leave a comment at the bottom of this article and let us know. Braamfontein Spruit (Johannesburg)Location: Along the Jukskei RiverGPS Coordinates (Emmarentia): S 26.1570, E 28.0014 Jozi bikers in search of some dirt hit the Braamfontein Spruit, or ‘The Spruit’ as it's known to locals. This popular sliver of greenbelt snakes through the heart of suburban Johannesburg – running from Melville Koppies in the south to Paulshof in the north. As a consequence, it appeals to a wide range of riders. For the hardcore, it can be a 60 km endurance dash, with away and return legs of 30 kilometres each. However, it's also a great, manageable trail for rookie riders starting out too. Northern parts of the trail can be quite pretty (especially during the rainy season), passing many rock pools that attract prolific bird life. No wonder it's one of the most ridden MTB routes in the country. Although little more than a single-track footpath running alongside the Jukskei River, what makes it so popular is the ability for riders to access the trail from various points along the route – namely Albert's Farm, Emmarentia, Delta Park, the Study Centre in Louise Avenue (Parkmore), Sandton Field, Riverside and Bryanston Drive. Following the trail from start to finish can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with its convoluted route. So it's advisable to first ride with someone who knows how to link the complicated network of paths between the various parks. The trail is smooth, relatively flat with few technical sections. It can also get busy – trail runners, dog walkers, kids on bicycles and hikers use the Spruit as well, so riders should be careful and yield accordingly. How to get thereThis is one of Johannesburg's most prominent greenbelts, starting on Melville Koppies in the south and ending in Paulshof in the north. The most popular stretch is between Emmarentia and Craighall, with the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (Emmarentia) and Delta Park being popular starting and finishing points. Website: www.spruit.co.za Harkerville MTB Trails (Garden Route)Location: Between Knysna and Plettenberg BayGPS Coordinates: S 34.0467, E 23.2307 Mountain bikers visiting the Garden Route are spoilt for choice. Rivers and lagoons, lush forests and magnificent mountains, waterfalls and its awesome coastline – this veritable paradise has it all. If it wasn't for the hilly terrain you could almost call it relaxing. Before you know it, your mind starts unwinding as you ride under majestic yellowwoods and through colourful landscapes jam-packed with indigenous fynbos and birdlife. And, if you're lucky, you could even spot one of the antelope species that shyly roam the forests throughout the day. The Harkerville Trail, situated in the lush Harkerville Forest is no exception – it's natural beauty will take your breath away. Four distinct colour-coded routes have been laid out through indigenous forest, plantation and coastal fynbos – ranging from easy, to fast-flowing single-track that gets quite technical. Harkerville route optionsYellow: 13 km. Gravel forest service roads and the easiest of the routes for newbies.Blue: 11 km. The route heads along Beukespad, a forest path, and through thick forest. The returnpasses huge coastal redwood trees. The sections of single-track through the forest can gettricky for beginners.Green: 14 km. A moderately difficult trail along the Grooteiland path and Waterpad (includesa swimming hole) with an optional loop along the Harkerville coastline path. The returnalong the Perdekoppad is all single track.Red: 24 km. Undoubtedly the toughest, most exhilarating, and longest of the routes – butdefinitely one of the most scenic trails in the country that traverses deep forest, fynbos anddizzying coastal road. ...this veritable paradise has it all. If it wasn't for the hilly terrain you could almost call it relaxing. How to get thereHarkerville is on the N2 highway, 20km past Knysna en route to Plettenberg Bay. All routes may be started on the N2 opposite the Garden of Eden DWAF kiosk (where you pick up your permit), or from the Harkerville Forestry Office at the Kranshoek Road Gate. Website: www.knysnacycles.co.za Garden Route Trail Park (Garden Route)Location: Between George and KnysnaGPS Coordinates: S 33.9177, E 22.8623 The Garden Route Trail Park is home to some of those legendary secret Knysna single-tracks that are always spoken about, but very seldom seen. It's located at the very foot of the Outeniqua Mountains and the Karatara River Gorge, slap bang in the middle of the Garden Route. Three carefully designed routes have been laid out to provide riders of all levels with a healthy supply of adrenalin, excitement, scenery and amazing views. Combined, they cover over 25km of hand-built single-track in the infamous farmer tradition – with flowing turns, burns, rollers and river crossings. All trails are circular, starting and ending at the Trail Cafe, and are considered moderate to ride. Garden Route Trail Park optionsForest Frenzy: 10.1 km. Elevation: 217 metres. Includes technical detail but no climbs, lots ofsingle-track along (and across) the Karatara River through the forest.Crazy Creek: 13.6 km. Elevation: 262 metres. For more experienced riders, it includes someclimbs, jumps and rhythm sections. There's also plenty of single track through theforest and couple of river crossings.Jungle Fever: 16.4 km. Elevation: 349 metres. Featuring long, testing climbs matched by fasterdownhills, this one's definitely for fitter riders. If you're after views then this is thetrail.Full Loop: A combination of all three, and well worth the effort. There's also a pumptrack designed in a never-ending loop system for you to have a blast on. Itsouter loop, designed as a BMX track, is for those wanting to test their talent and get some air. Fortunately, it's just tame enough for mere mortals who want to ride it and get a feel. How to get thereDrive 20km from Knysna towards George on the N2, turning right at the Ruigtevlei/Karatara sign. Cross the railway line and drive for 18km, then follow the sign to Barrington. At the T-junction turn right and look out for the Garden Route Trail Park on your left. Website: www.gardenroutetrailpark.com Wolwespruit MTB and Trail Park (Pretoria)Location: ErasmuskloofGPS coordinates: S 25.8130, E 28.2634 Named after the spruit that runs through it, the Wolwespruit MTB and Trail Park is well worth a visit. Granted, its three handcrafted single-track trails are relatively short. That said, they still provide more than enough flowing, adrenaline-fuelled action to keep most riders satisfied. Fitter riders, looking for a better workout can simply repeat their routes again – the fun factor on offer here makes doing two laps a serious option. Importantly, the park is also fully fenced, providing a secure environment for users to enjoy the outdoors right in the heart of Pretoria East. The trails make full use of the park's topography, offering thrilling drops, jumps, river crossings and plenty of uphill – making it an ideal location to practice one's skills and get fit at the same time. At the moment the park has 22 km of single-track, involving about 300m of climbing, and 8 km of running trails. However, plans are afoot to expand the trails into a broader network of circle routes and loops in the near future (they have 90 ha of land to play with) – the idea being to provide more berms, obstacles and generally boost the exhilaration factor for all experience levels. So, with some pretty exiting upgrades in the pipeline, this is definitely a spot to keep your eye on. Wolwespruit MTB routesGreen: 7.9 km. Easy, great for beginnersBlue: 6.5 km. IntermediateBlack: 1.5 km. Advanced Wolwespruit MTB Park also boasts three attractions that have nothing to do with their trails; one of the largest pumptracks around, a skills clinic area and a jump line for those who need a double dose of adrenaline – all designed with the sole aim of increasing rider skill levels and confidence, not to mention providing hours of fun. Trailwolf Cycles, based in the park, offers a variety of bike products and services, from workshop, to MTB skills clinics and coffee – making it a one stop coffee, service and gear shop. How to get thereFrom Pretoria take the Rigel Road off-ramp from the M1. Turn east onto Delmas Road, take the first left into Nossob Street, then take the first left again into Jochemus Street. The park entrance is at the end of the cul de sac. Website: www.wolwespruit.co.za Elgin MTB Trail (Elgin Valley)Location: GrabouwGPS Coordinates: S 34.1687, E19.0855 With an amazing array of colours, wide open spaces and varying types of terrain, the greater Grabouw area offers a true piece of mountain biking magic. In fact, both amateur and professional riders come here regularly to train for the annual ABSA Cape Epic. This iconic Western Cape event includes more than 600 kilometres of track – a large chunk of which winds through the Elgin Valley. Elgin MTB is a collaboration between neighbouring farms Paul Cluver and Oak Valley, who have combined the trails on each of their wine estates, creating one unique and quite spectacular riding experience. Oak Valley trail optionsThe Oak Valley trails consist largely of well-maintained single-track, with bridges over farm fences and streams, making for a highly enjoyable ride. The three trails take riders through beautiful natural scenery, including forests of ancient oak trees, through vineyards, through apple and pear orchards and across rolling fields of grass pastures, set against the stunning backdrop of the protected fynbos on the slopes of the Groenlandberg Mountain.Blue: 14km. Farm roads and easy single tracksRed: 24km. Farm roads and some technical single trackBlack: 32km. Technical single tracks requiring high level of expertise Paul Cluver trail optionsThe Paul Cluver trails start in the amphitheatre, treating riders to Raka and The Swing – one a bridge built on a massive tree trunk, the other a suspension bridge. The fun continues with lots of berms, flowing singletrack with some technical riding. Look out for the Mamba, a rollercoaster ride through the river valley with 6 bridges. There are also some lung busting climbs that reward one with magnificent vistas over the Elgin valley. The Pofadder is a bermed bridge built from wine barrel slats at the foot of a waterfall, followed by more great riding and loads of singletrack.Blue Short: 8km. Elevation gain 220mBlue Long: 11km. Elevation gain 275mRed: 34km. Elevation gain 740mBlack: 43km. Elevation gain 1000m How to get thereFrom Cape Town take the N2, continuing past Somerset West and over Sir Lowry's Pass. After passing Grabouw keep an eye out for the Peregrine Farm Stall on your right and follow the sign boards. Website: www.elginmtb.co.za – (c) 2016 NavWorld

Unless you're Chuck Norris, getting stuck on a narrow mountain ledge in dense fog would most probably ruin your day. Fortunately for us, dedicated outdoor GPS navigation devices help prevent the worst from happening. Here's what you need to know about these high-tech lifesavers to help you decide which Garmin handheld GPS to take on your next trail. I bet you use your smartphone to navigate around town all the time. Most of us do. In fact, I reckon we've become so blasé about using GPS phone apps, that many of us now assume our handsets are the only personal navigators we'll ever need. If you stick to the civilizing influence of network coverage your entire life, this is probably true. However, for nature lovers intent on hitting trails far from the reassuring veil of high-tech connectivity, it's a completely different story. A lack of cell phone signal is not the only problem facing intrepid wanderers wanting to stay safe. Nature can be tough, especially on electronics. And most smartphones are just that; a bundle of temperamental electronic components packed inside a delicate housing. One bad drop onto rocks, or a severe dunking in a mountain stream, and they're history. Smartphones also suck juice faster than gas-guzzling V8s when using navigation apps – requiring them to be plugged into your vehicle's auxiliary power system, especially if you spend much time on the road. So how long do you think your phone's battery will last unplugged with its GPS fired up all day? My educated guess: Not long enough. Right GPS for the job That said, if getting lost in the wilderness, or injuring yourself tumbling down a ravine in bad weather don't factor in your plans – then a dedicated outdoor GPS navigation device is the obvious answer. Most of them come fully waterproof. Their robust designs can withstand the inevitable bashes and drops that occur in the wild. Featuring efficient processors, they remain powered up significantly longer than any fancy pocket computer. And, as the majority use AA batteries, carrying spares is a non-issue. Most importantly, dedicated GPS navigators never lose signal – allowing you to always pinpoint your exact location, retrace your route if necessary, and see how far you still have to go before reaching your destination. Even better, high-end units often incorporate barometric altimeters, helping you to track real-time weather changes, too. The Garmin Montana 680 has a touch screen that is glove friendly and comes with a built-in digital camera. Features to consider before purchasing a handheld GPS Touchy operators or button pushers Whether you go for a touchscreen or button-operated device depends on what you want to use it for. Touchscreens work faster, mainly because you don't have the hassle of scrolling through menu options. They are also more convenient to plug waypoints into and have larger displays. However, their larger screens make them more power hungry than button-operated devices. Button-operated devices may seem old-school, but they have their place – especially in cold, wet environments where wearing heavy gloves isn't a fashion statement. Their batteries also last longer. On the downside, inserting waypoints via the button interface can be a pain. But if you're looking for a rock-solid device that can take any adventure on its chin, then buttons are your safest bet. Electronic or differential compass The main difference between electronic and differential compasses is their level of sophistication.For mountain climbers and others who spend a lot of time on the edge, the more sophisticated (read expensive) electronic compass is a must-have tool. That's because it shows direction even when you're standing still – an important feature in tight, zero-vis situations where you need to figure out your heading and not plummet into thin air. Differential compasses, using simpler technology, rely on satellite tracking to establish direction. As a consequence, they require you take a few steps before showing a true heading. Fortunately, this isn't a big deal for the average weekend adventurer. Barometric altimeter A barometric altimeter is one of those features that draws the line between high and low end devices, indicating where each unit stands in its product range. Handhelds low in the specs department tend to be better at calculating your position (latitude and longitude) than height above sea level (altitude). To get around this, higher-end units incorporate a barometric altimeter to provide more accurate atmospheric pressure readings. This, in turn allows for the real-time tracking of weather patterns – making it an important feature for extreme adventurers or those who prefer hiking long distance solo. Connect and share If you prefer to hike in groups and like sharing track information with others, you're going to need a higher-end unit boasting wireless sharing and Bluetooth connectivity options. These cool features let you quickly transfer track and waypoint files to other compatible devices, allowing your entire group to stay in the loop. You can also conveniently share your route with others preparing to head out on the same trail you've just finished before leaving the car park. Media matters When travelling light, combining as many features as you can into one compact package makes a lot of sense. Apart from the ability to see all your photos, videos and voice notes exactly where they were captured along your route, once back in the comfort of your home – these fun features have practical applications, too. For example, you can use captured media to mark waypoints instead of typing them in. And, after sharing your trail information with hiking buddies, they can use your photos etc. to ensure they stay on track when retracing your route. Which Garmin handheld works best for you? I like my Garmin GPSMAP 64, but that's me. Touchscreens on anything other than smartphones or tablets drive me nuts, so the fact that it doesn't have one is a big plus. I also appreciate its rugged (albeit relatively bulky) waterproof design, ability to accept various maps, accurate quad helix antenna and fast satellite (GPS and GLONASS) acquisition. That my trusty handheld can't perform wireless data transfers (I have to connect to my PC via USB) or receive smart notifications doesn't bother me in the least. Admittedly, its colour 6.6 cm display is a bit small for my liking, but it has never let me down – whether I've been boating offshore or rambling through the countryside. And, although features such as 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and barometric altimeter (found on the fancier GPSMAP 64s) would be nice, I can live without them. In short, it syncs with my simple needs and outdoor interests perfectly. It's also what I could sensibly afford at the time. Which handheld navigator works best for you will undoubtedly be completely different. For example: If I was a mountain biker, neither the GPSMAP 64 or 64s would leap out as viable options. For a start, I consider them way too bulky. Their screens would be too small for me to read properly once mounted on handlebars. And, the way I see it, any attempt at using their push-button interfaces while bouncing down a dirt track would be a scream, literally. Steering? Good luck with that. Instead, I would opt for Garmin's eTrek Touch 35. Offering basically the same functionality as the 64s, along with its IPX7 waterproof rating. The Touch 35 weighs 101 grams less, and comes in a more compact, bike-friendly form factor. Its larger 11.7 cm touchscreen would make seeing where you're going, not to mention navigating menus on the fly much easier. Oh, and it comes standard with a bike mount, too. It's a no-brainer, really. Cost vs. functionality There's nothing wrong in splashing out on an expensive, high-end navigation device, just because you can. But if all you aspire to are day hikes – where getting back to your vehicle before sundown is your main priority – you could be wasting hard-earned cash. If that's the case, you'd be better off going for a less sophisticated unit and spending the money saved on a decent pair of hiking boots. My advice: Realistically assess your outdoor lifestyle and interests, factor in a few personality quirks (hey, we all have them) and check out your budget – only then will you be in a position to decide which handheld navigation device works best for you. – (c) 2016 NavWorld

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