Mountain biking facts
- Recommended travel time
December to March
- Flight connections
Edelweiss tips:
Many of the mountain biking trails around Cape Town are located on private farm land, in parks or on wine-growing estates, and are maintained with great dedication. That’s why, in South Africa, cyclists usually pay for a trail permit, which generally costs around five US dollars. Furthermore, in regions such as Stellenbosch, there are only a few shuttle services available, and certain reservations are not accessible by car.
Top mountain bike trails around Cape Town
Biking in Cape Town: Table Mountain Medium
A circular mountain bike ride at the foot of the famous Table Mountain is ideal for a quick warm-up or a gentle start to a mountain biking holiday. There is a network of gravel tracks there, with loose gravel and rocks. The route through Deer Park is one of the best-known walking and cycling routes and begins with an ascent along Chelmsford Road in Vredehoek to the viewpoint at Queen’s Blockhouse and on to Table Mountain Road. From there, follow the tarmac road for a short stretch towards the cable car station, before turning right through a metal barrier back onto the gravel track. After descending via a small dam at Platteklip Gorge, you'll find yourself in a pine forest and will make your way back to Vredehoek via Deer Park.
- Tour duration 1 hr 28 min
- Distance 15 km
- Ascent 480 m
- Descent -490 m
Kilometres of cycling fun on Simonsberg Difficult
At the Muratie Wine Estate, it’s not just the wine that's flowing: there are numerous trails here. The estate is situated about ten kilometres north-west of Stellenbosch and is easily accessible by car. There are four flowing single-track loops to explore around the Simonsberg: Muratie, Delheim, Uitkyk and Never Say Never Ending Again. The dirt track sections are technically straightforward, and there are no rocks or scree slopes. The ‘Never Say Never Ending Again’ route is the most demanding of the four loops, both technically and in terms of fitness.
- Tour duration 5 hr
- Distance 37 km
- Ascent 1,940 m
- Descent -1,490 m
Biking in the Jonkershoek UNESCO nature reserve Medium
The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, with its impressive, rugged mountains and rich flora and fauna, covers almost 10,000 hectares and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An entry fee is required before setting off on the long jeep track ascent along the Nek-Saaltjie viewpoint route. The last kilometre of the route is littered with loose rocks, but the view from the summit makes the effort worthwhile. A breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Jonkershoek Valley, Simonsberg and Table Mountain awaits.
- Tour duration 1 hr 10 min
- Distance 10.1 km
- Ascent 370 m
- Descent -370 m
G-spot: the most famous trail in Stellenbosch Light
Attention downhill enthusiasts: the G-Spot is one of Stellenbosch’s most popular mountain bike trails. What’s more, there’s no admission charge, as it is maintained by the Stellenbosch Trail Fund. On dry ground, there are bumps and jumps, which you can avoid thanks to the range of trails on offer — though the trail is the ideal place to practise your skills. If you fancy it, you can combine the nine-kilometre G-Spot circuit with three adjacent loops maintained by the Trail Fund.
- Tour duration 26 min
- Distance 4.33 km
- Ascent 140 m
- Descent -140 m
Bridges and hairpin bends at the Paul Cluver Winery Medium
The Paul Cluver Winery is situated in the Grabouw region, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. On the winery’s trails, you can enjoy perfectly maintained paths and bridges, some of which are built from old wine barrels. The routes start at the amphitheatre and lead across the Raka and The Swing bridges. The sandy single tracks require a great deal of skill and technique. The action-packed Mamba route winds its way through a river valley via hairpin bends and six bridges. There are a few climbs along the trails, but the magnificent views more than make up for the effort.
- Tour duration 1 hr 20 min
- Distance 15.2 km
- Ascent 160 m
- Descent -170 m
Bike hire at the destination
- Stellenbosch, BMT
- iRide Africa, Cape Town
- The 4-Heaven Guest House rents out bikes to its guests and organises tours
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