Mountain biking in Cape Town is exploding with more people than ever taking up the sport and trailbuilders feverishly building new trails in beautiful settings.
Below are some of our favourite locations to ride with some basic information as to what to expect.
Rides in these areas tend to be about 15-30km in length with about 1000-1500m elevation.
You can expect the weather to be hot in Summer (25-30 degrees celcius) and maybe even a day of rain if you’re lucky (Hello, hero dirt!).
Our trails are dry, dusty and mostly rocky so we recommend riding 120mm-160mm full suspension bikes. Tubeless tyres are a must (devil thorns) and we recommend at least 2.3″ wide tyres.
table mountain (CAPE TOWN)
Good for fit riders (Table Mountain rides are never easy! Terrain is steep and loose)
Large network of gravel roads and some amazing ‘enduro’ type trails (steep, rocky & fast)
Ride under one of the modern wonders of the world
Check our photo essay of our advanced/enduro tour on Table Mountain
Check our photo essay of our intermediate level traverse from the City to Tokai
Or took a look at a video we helped make about the riding and lifestyle here
TOKAI
(CAPE TOWN)
Great for XC riders and trail/enduro riders
Ride the original mecca of mtb riding in Cape Town
XC riders can ride mainly gravel roads up to Silvermine (or the mast) which offer THE best views in Cape Town
Trail/Enduro riders can ride a selection of technical singletrack with great flow, jumps and drops
Very little shade after the fire of 2015 but some of the best scenery on offer
Check Bicycling Magazine’s photo article on the new Tokai experience
Or took a look at a video we helped make about the riding around here
DURBANVILLE
(CAPE TOWN)
Trails for all types riders
20 minute drive from Cape Town
Over 80km of purpose built singletrack for beginner – advanced riders
Trails are the best option out of summer months (no shade)
Great views of Table Mountain
Rides can range from 1-4 hours of riding
Photo article of Contermanskloof (our most popular destination)
Neighbouring Hoogekraal trails are also amazing to ride
There’s a bunch of riding here! Check out a Contermanskloof trail map, Hoogekraal trail map, Meerendal trail map, Bloemendal trail map
g-Spot/Mont Marie (STELLENBOSCH)
- Great trails for skills progression from beginners to experts
- Flowing singletrack with jumps and berms
- Ride through Eden forest and beautiful wine estates
- Ride through vineyards and indigenous fynbos
- Rides can range from 1-3 hours of riding
- Ride Coetzenberg XCO track (World Cup venue for 2018!)
Take a peek at a video we helped make about the riding and lifestyle here
JONKERSHOEK
(STELLENBOSCH)
Perfect for trail & enduro riders or riders just wanting distance on dirt roads
World re-known singletrack for intermediate & advanced riders
Fantastic dirt road loop for new riders
Big mountains and epic scenery
Check our photo essay of what you can expect!
MURATIE
(STELLENBOSCH)
Best for cross country/trail riders
Great flowing singletrack for beginners & intermediates
Ride the signature trail ‘Never say neverending again’
Iconic views of both Table and False bay
Ride through vineyards and indigenous fynbos
Rides can range from 2-4 hours of riding
Check our photo essay of what you can expect
View our Muratie trail a map here (AKA Simonsberg Trail map, Uitkyk trail map or Delheim trailmap)
BOSCHENDAL
(STELLENBOSCH)
Best for cross country/trail riders
Great flow trails that are less blown out than Jonkershoek in Summer
Mixture of vineyard riding and indigenous fynbos
Rides can range from 2-5 hours of riding
Check out our photo article of the amazing riding that can be done in this beautiful area.
You can download our Boschendal trail map here
BOTTELARY
(STELLENBOSCH)
Best for Marathon/cross country riders
Mostly gravel vineyard roads interspersed with purpose built singletrack for beginner & intermediate riders
Fantastic views of Table Mountain and vineyards
Rides can range from 2-5 hours of riding
Click here to see photos of the riding in this XC haven
Day #: Tokai (Cape Town)
Day #: Welvanpas (Wellington)
Different loops to cater for XC bandits and trail/enduro riders
Purpose built singletrack for intermediate & advanced riders
Big mountains and incredible scenery away from civilisation
Ride through Protea (our national flower) forests and pine plantations
Be inspired by our photo essay of what you can expect from Welvanpas!
Download or view of Welvanpas mtb trail map here
Day #: Helderberg (Somerset West)
Great trail riding for the intermediate-advanced rider
Shuttles available if arranged in advance
Machine built trails mean huge berms and great flow mixed in with natural, rocky sections the higher you climb
Lovely views over False Bay and a chance to ride through Protea fields
Check our trail photo essay with Andrew Neethling (Needles)
Or took a look at a we feature in about the riding here
Our guides will always put together the best routes catered for your fitness and riding ability but you can view the DH/Enduro trail map here or the Helderberg trail maps (XC routes here)
Day #: A-Z Trails (Grabouw)
XC trails with some great rock gardens thrown in
Normally cooler weather than Cape Town and many different trail options in the area
Lots of dirt roads if you are looking for mileage
Can be sandy in Summer
Check our photo essay of what you can expect!
Routes are always changing but you can view our latest Grabouw mountain biking trail map here
Day #: Oak Valley (Grabouw)
A firm favourite destination for most of our guests
Wide, smooth singletrack for beginner and intermediate riders
XC bikes and hardtails are best bikes to enjoy these trails
Routes can be between 10-35km with mostly easy riding
Ride through vineyards and past Wagyu cattle of which you can both enjoy in restaurants afterwards
Day #: Paul Cluver (Grabouw)
Fantastic venue for riders wanting good mileage (over 40km) and smooth trails
Singletrack for beginner & intermediate riders
Ride over amazing bridges and spans through treetops made from old wine barrels!
Possible to see some Zebra, Springbok and Antelope (Bontebok) from the seat of your bike
Day #: Hermanus (Hermanus)
Huge XC network (+60km) of trails
Purpose built singletrack for beginners to advanced riders
Great views and riding through the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley
Big mountains, stunning scenery and beautiful farms
Check out the Hermanus trail map here
Day #: Rhebokskloof (Paarl)
Beginner and intermediate friendly trails
Purpose built singletrack through interesting rock features
Views over the winelands
Pumptrack to practise skills
Check our photo essay of what you can expect
Day #: Piket-Bo-Berg (Piketberg)
One of our personal favourite riding destinations
Beautiful technical trails intermediate & advanced riders
Exclusive riding and beautiful dam-side accommodation in luxury tents
Big mountains and epic scenery in the ‘mountain island’ above the Swartlands
Check our photo essay of what you can expect!
Day #: Houdenbek (Ceres)
If you like riding on 2 wheels, you will be happy here!
2.5 hours from Cape Town
Incredible rock formations and night skies that will blow your mind!
Rural setting with basic, comfortable accommodation
Check out a shoot we helped Greg Minnaar out with, showcasing these trails (1:28-1:52)
Our Houdenbek trail map can be viewed here
Day #: Eselfontein (Ceres)
A huge network of trails on a massive farm 2 hours from Cape Town
Freedom to wander where ever we want. Massive variety of terrain and trail types
Experience South African farm life. Freedom, hospitality and nature in bucketloads!
Click here to see photo’s of the riding on this magical escape
Or if you’re after the really gnarly stuff, then check what we can show you too!
Eselfontein trail map viewable here (the more advanced trails are not marked on here)
Day #: Sandrif (Cederberg)
Technical trail riding in the middle of nowhere! (4 hours from Cape Town)
Ride through crazy rock formations and experience true silence at night
Option to hike up the famous Wolfberg cracks and stand under the Wolfberg Arch (8 hours)
Big mountains and epic scenery, away from it all
Check our photo essay of the incredible trails you can ride
Watch the video from our Bikelife friends visit here
Check our Cederberg trailmap out here
Day #: Witfontein (George)
Amazing trail riding for all levels of rider (4 hours from Cape Town)
Ride mostly under pine trees=roots!
Good rock gardens and amazing flow
More moisture and greenery than Cape Town in Summer
Check our photo essay of the incredible trails you can ride
Day #: Garden Route Trail Park, (Sedgefield)
World class riding destination (5 hours from Cape Town)
Great flow trails under indigenous forest
Huge pump and jump track
Great trail-side accommodation
See the crazy huge Darkfest jumps (no, you cannot ride them!)
Great place to learn to do drops and jumps
Check our photo essay of the incredible trails you can ride
Transfer back to your hotel, with tired legs, a suntan and a tired grin on your face!
