Only The Brave Need Apply

We reported on Carnage Canyon 4x4 trail late in 2017, and found it to be one of toughest, if not the toughest, 4x4 trails in South Africa.

As if that’s not enough of a reason to seek it out, it’s also a bit of a mystery. It isn’t owned by anyone and it isn’t operated according to the usual 4×4 trail standards. You don’t simply show up, pay some money, 4×4 and camp for the night. This is the kind of place you go to prove a point. You go there to prove all the modifications you made to your 4×4 were worth the investment, and, to a lesser extent, that you’re a capable off-roader.

Carnage Canyon is as daunting at the name suggests. After studying various 4×4 forums, Facebook posts and YouTube videos, we realised you have to be mentally prepared for the trip. Not only for the task at hand, but willing to accept there’s an extremely good chance of scraping, scratching, dinging or denting your pride and joy.

While on the topic of said pride and joy, there are a few necessities if you plan on tackling Carnage Canyon. We don’t know of any standard 4×4 that can cope out there, as you need at least 33–35inch tyres and a locking rear differential. A front locker is highly advisable as well. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t attempt a 4×4 trail like this without the necessary protection, including plates for the diff, steering and underbelly. A set of strong rock sliders is also a must-have.