Professional Documents
Culture Documents
100
CONTENTS
Introduction Getting Started Key to Maps and IMBA Chart Stuff You Love Ama Rider Dirt Menu THE TRAILS Western Cape Top Trails Western Cape Other Trails Eastern Cape Top Trails Eastern Cape Other Trails Northern Cape Top Trails Northern Cape Other Trails DIRT PAGES - OTHER LISTED TRAILS Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga North West Province DIRECTORY Gear and Packing Lists Bike Shops ATLAS 4 6 7 8 10 12 16 62 114 136 148 160 170 174 178 182 184 186 190 193 198
Other Routes
u "
l
& v 2
KEY TO MAPS
Major airport Airfield Ferry / pontoon Lighthouse Major spot height Mountain pass Border control Information Toll route Toll plaza Petrol station Accommodation
Capital or city Major town Secondary town Satellite town Other town Settlement Station
[
Z
6
= =
Place of interest & historical site Provincial heritage site Shipwreck Battleground Waterfall Wine estate & wine sales Nature reserve & bird sanctuary Park entrance Water hole Hiking trail 4x4 trail Diving site & whale watching Caravan park & camp site
(((
<
= =
?
z +
Water features Pan Marsh Freeway / national road Main road Secondary road Route numbers Distance in kilometres Distance in kilometres on freeways / national roads Railway International / provincial boundaries National park and game reserve Delta Built up areas
z +
= = = C y
Untarred
Top Routes
MAJOR & MAIN ROADS OTHER ROADS OTHER JEEP TRACKS & WALKING TRAILS MTB TRAILS MTB TRAIL DIRECTION ROUTE NOTES/INFO GATES, PARKING & FACILITIES PLACE OF INTEREST, CAMP SITE & CARAVAN PARK
Paulsberg 366m Park / Plantation Marsh / Swamp Onshore Built up area
Under Construction
n n
N 1
B
21
R
R110
, ,
P1
N110
15 15
, ,
Spot Height
Ocean
Directional
IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System Easiest IMBA SYMBOL TRAIL WIDTH SURFACE WHITE CIRCLE Easy GREEN CIRCLE 36 / 91cm Firm and stable 5% or less Max 15% Unavoidable obstacles 2 tall or less Avoidable obstacles may be present Unavoidable bridges 36 or wider More difficult BLUE SQUARE 24 / 61cm Mostly stable with some variability 10% or less Max 15% or greater Unavoidable obstacles 8 tall or less Avoidable obstacles may be present Unavoidable bridges 24 or wider TTFs 2 high or less, width of deck is greater than 1/2 the height Very difficult BLACK DIAMOND 12 / 30cm Widely variable 15% or less Max 15% or greater Unavoidable obstacles 15 tall or less Avoidable obstacles may be present May include loose rocks Unavoidable bridges 24 or wider TTFs 4 high or less, width of deck is less than 1/2 the height Short sections may exceed criteria Extremely difficult DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND 6 / 15cm Widely variable and unpredictable 20% or more Max 15% or greater Unavoidable obstacles 15 tall or greater Avoidable obstacles may be present May include loose rocks Unavoidable bridges 24 or narrower TTFs 4 high or greater, width of deck is unpredictable Short sections may exceed criteria
72 / 183cm Hardened or surfaced AVERAGE TRAIL GRADE Less than 5% MAXIMUM TRAIL GRADE Max 10% NATURAL OBSTACLES None & TECHNICAL TRAIL FEATURES (TTF)
*Source IMBA Website A CONCISE VERSION OF THIS CHART APPEARS ON MOST OF THE MAPS IN THIS BOOK
18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60
48
49
N v v 22 6 46n 1 44 N n 22 Paarl Worcester 23 2 7 37 38 15 14 10 Robertson 4 Milnerton " 12 25 15 CAPE TOWN u 43 6 Stellenbosch 32 17 v 16 Hout Bay 3 v 19 21 17 16 13 13 Simons Town 41 v 9 Caledon 24 1 v 18
21
v v v vv
v v v v
16
Atlantic Ocean
Malmesbury
Ceres
Paternoster Vredenburg45
31
42
Cape Point MTB Route Contermanskloof Farm, Blue Route MTB Trail Deer Park, Table Mountain MTB Route Delvera (Dirtopia Trail Centre) MTB Trail Dwarsrivier Conservancy MTB Trail Eselfontein MTB Trail Grootvadersbosch MTB Route Harkerville MTB Trail Hemel en Aarde MTB Trails Hillcrest Farm MTB Trail Homtini MTB Trail Jonkershoek MTB Trail Lebanon Forest MTB Trail Majik Forest MTB Trail Meerendal Wine Farm MTB Trails Oak Valley MTB Trail Schapenberg MTB Trail Seweweekspoort MTB Route Silvermine MTB Route Swartberg Pass MTB Route Tokai Forest MTB Trail Welvanpas MTB Trail
Springbok
n
N 7
Calvinia
v 9
47
vv v
vv
27
R
Prieska
Copperton
N o r t h e r n C a p e
Vosburg
n
N 10
n
N 12
De Aar
Carnarvon
n
N 12
n
N 1
19
v 34
Beaufort West
n
N 1
20
n
N 12
Mossel Bay
Bredasdorp
Indian Ocean
v v
30
v 27
Swellendam 36
N v n Riversdale 2 4 Heidelberg v 11
12
29 50
Montagu
v 10
11
26
W e s t e r n C a p e Oudtshoorn 28
Touws River
18
Prince Albert
14
n
N 9
E a s t e r n C a p e
20
35
Cap e Po i nt
MTB Route
Region: Cape Peninsula Closest town: Simons Town Trail destination: Cape Point Nature Reserve
Route Description
Get stuck into this easy ride along a network of tarred roads meandering through the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula. This may not be where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, but it is way more beautiful than Cape Agulhas, so who cares. And dont moan about the tarmac until youve experienced the views its worth it all the way. Your starting point is right at the Cape Point Nature Reserve entrance gate, with a slight climb for the first few hundred metres before you dip down onto the fynbos plains. Pass turn-offs to your left (1.4km) and right (1.9km) to Olifantsbos; it is a gorgeous beach though, and if you have the time ... If you decided to keep straight, turn right (4.9km) towards Gifkommetjie. Another option here would be to turn left just before Olifantsbos onto the only stretch of gravel in the park for a 3km jeep-track jol, thus ignoring the directions in the next paragraph. If you stick to the tar, ignore the sign to Hoek van Bobbejaan (7.1km), rather continuing along the circular section past the viewpoint until you again T-bone with the main route to Cape Point (12.3km). Just on 2.8km later, a signboard to the right (15.1km) will indicate the turn-off to Platboom, a nice little downhill stretch to the sea (17.3km). Breathe in the fresh air and then head back up to the main drag (19.5km). Youll be doing a bit of up and down along the way and might feel it in your legs if the wind is pumping, but cruise on towards Cape Point. At 21.3km, hit a right towards Maclear Beach and the Cape of Good Hope (24.7km) a part of Cape Point that most people dont actually get to in their hurry to make it to the Point parking lot and drink in the view. Finally, its time to climb back out and up to the main road (28.1km) and turn right youll know youve arrived when you encounter the tourist buses and attendant baboon troop 3.2km later. Have a meal, hike to the lighthouse and then do the high-speed return run. This is a leisurely cruise through coastal strandveld and fynbos plains, with occasional encounters with anything from eland, bontebok and zebra to excellent sightings of marine and terrestrial bird species, especially sunbirds and sugarbirds.
How to get there From Cape Town city, head south via Simons Town or Scarborough along the Peninsula Cape Point is well signposted and easy to find. Turn south into the entrance gate around 12km from Simons Town. Best time of year Watch out for Cape Point in the summer months of November to February when the southeasterly wind kicks in it is as wild a Cape of Storms as you will ever encounter. Off the bike Hiking down rocky shores to deserted beaches is one of the reserves major draw cards, but many families also visit to relax at the gorgeous picnic spots or the restaurant overlooking False Bay. The modern environmental centre and funicular up to the lighthouse are also popular.
18
Klipfontein Syferfontein
Kla as J
Easiest YES 183cm Hardened / surfaced AVE. TRAIL GRADE < 5% MAX. TRAIL GRADE Max 10% IMBA SYMBOL THIS TRAIL TRAIL WIDTH SURFACE
Extremely diff. NO 15cm Widely variable / unpredictable 20% or more Max 15% or >
rom riv
TRAIL BASICS
ag ers ri
Parsons Nose NO NO 61cm 30cm Mostly stable / Widely some variability variable Danger Rock 10% or < 15% or less Max 15% or >Finlays 15% or > Max Point Boat Rock Partridge Point Baboon Rock
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Normal national park entry fees apply; a Wild Card from SANParks must be loaded with an annual MTB permit
OLIFANTSBOS
FACILITIES: MatroosDam Parking, with security on duty; restaurant and ablutions BEWARE OF: Tourist buses, heavy winds MORE INFORMATION: There is usually heavy tourist traffic on weekends and holidays
K
Hoek van Bobbejaan Oompiesgat
vie r
188m
CAPE POINT Simons Town OSTRICH FARM NORMAL PARK FEES APPLY. OLD FOREST STATION DAILY PERMIT CAN BE PURCHASED.
ier
Kommetjieberg 114m
START
3401542 S 1802729 E
Rooihoogte 319m
M65
Smitswinkelbaai Smitswinkelbaai
Bloubergstrand Muishondbaai
k ois Bo
302m
Batsata Cove
lriv raa
ier
ANVIL ROCK
Booi se Skerm
FALSE BAY
Black Rocks BUFFELSFONTEIN VISITORS CENTRE
Buffels r
Tidal Pool DA GAMA MONUMENT 1497 ivie BOAT LAUNCH r Bordjiesrif PICNIC Buffelsbaai (Mackellars Bay) PICNIC Tidal Pool Matroosdam Suikerbrood GOLDFIELDS CENTRE AND WHALE VIEWING
Skilpadvlei
Matrooskop 107m
LEGEND
GATES, PARKING & FACILITIES MAJOR & MAIN ROADS OTHER ROADS MTB TRAILS OTHER JEEP TRACKS & WALKING TRAILS The Island
Fransdam Antoniesgat Matroosklip Platboom Point Platboombaai Peagrams Point LOOKOUT POINT LOOKOUT POINT Rooikrans Trappiesgrotte Platbank Plumpudding Rock RESTAURANT
LOOKOUT POINT
GRADING: Easy DURATION: 34 hours CONFIGURATION: Various return options up to 60km START POINT: Reserve gate COORDINATES: 341542.29 S, 182729.25 E TERRAIN: Tarmac, with a 3km jeep-track section MAP: Available from main gate CELL RECEPTION: Intermittent
TRAIL INFO
209m
AT L A NT I C OCEAN
19
How to get there Turn left off the N7 at Plattekloof Road off-ramp (exit 22), and head back across on Plattekloof Road East until you get to the traffic circle. Turn left at the circle and continue up Tygerberg Road till you turn left into Contermanskloof Road. Follow this road past the quarry for 3km, where you turn left and follow the minor road to the farm. Best time of year Summer is very hot (start early), while winter is great as the singletrack is so well drained. Off the bike Fishing permits are available for fishing in the farm dam.
20
Easiest YES 183cm Hardened / surfaced AVE. TRAIL GRADE < 5% MAX. TRAIL GRADE Max 10% IMBA SYMBOL THIS TRAIL TRAIL WIDTH SURFACE
More difficult 254m diff. Very YES 61cm Mostly stable / some variability 10% or < Max 15% or > NO 30cm Widely variable 15% or less Max 15% or >
Extremely diff. NO 15cm Widely variable / unpredictable 20% or more Max 15% or >
Hoogkraal
M7 / Cape Town
R304
Oatlands West
M48
TRAIL BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Regular trail entry fees apply to riders FACILITIES: Toilets and picnic facilities at the start/finish area
Oatlands
500m
BEWARE OF: Snakes in summer, extreme obstacles on the Black route MORE INFORMATION: There are various other route options at Contermanskloof, including the far more technical Black route and a beginner-friendly Green route
CYCLE SHOP
Contermanskloof
START
3304811 S 180350 E
Kliprug
GRADING: Intermediate DURATION: 6090 minutes CONFIGURATION: A return ride with various side-road options; up to 36km START POINT: Contermanskloof Trails parking area COORDINATES: 334811.59 S, 18350.44 E TERRAIN: Well-drained, hard and smooth singletrack; gravel roads 343m MAP: No map is available but the trails are very well marked CELL RECEPTION: 100% coverage
TRAIL INFO
Eureka Amanzi
443m
LEGEND
GATES, PARKING & FACILITIES MAJOR & MAIN ROADS OTHER ROADS MTB TRAILS OTHER JEEP TRACKS & WALKING TRAILS
21
How to get there Head up Buitenkant Street to the top, turn right into Deer Park Drive and continue to the parking area. Alternatively, head along the M3 towards De Waal Drive and turn into Vredehoek along Clive Street. Follow Derry Street to the mountain, keeping right where it forks, before turning left into Chelmsford park at the end of the road. Best time of year Table Mountains slopes are an excellent riding destination throughout the year, but midday rides during the summer should be avoided. Muggings have been reported in the area, so it is preferable to ride in a group and during daylight hours. Off the bike: Youre in the heart of Cape Town, ranked tops among the Worlds Best Cities. Stunning shops, restaurants, beaches, museums and historical monuments abound.
22
Camps Ba y Stream
TRAIL BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A Wild Card from SANParks must be loaded with an annual MTB permit FACILITIES: None, but youre on the edge of the city BEWARE OF: Loose rocks and resulting broken collarbones; muggings have been reported MORE INFORMATION: Access information on Table Mountain often changes make sure you are up to date
UNION CAVE
Hout Bay
Camps Bay
FC OR NE R
Easiest Easy More difficult Leeukop YES YES YES 183cm 91cm 668m 61cm Hardened / Firm / Mostly stable / surfaced stable some variability AVE. TRAIL GRADE < 5% 5% or < 10% or < FOREST STATION 15% Max 15% or > MAX. TRAIL GRADE Max 10% Max IMBA SYMBOL THIS TRAIL TRAIL WIDTH SURFACE
Very diff. NO 30cm Widely variable 15% or less Max 15% or >
Extremely diff. NO 15cm Widely variable / unpredictable 20% or more Max 15% or >
CAVE
ot Diepslo
LEGEND
GATES, PARKING & FACILITIES MAJOR & MAIN ROADS OTHER ROADS MTB TRAILS OTHER JEEP TRACKS & WALKING TRAILS
BU I
KL OO
499m
PA TH
CO NT OU R
TURN RIGHT
RO AD
Gardens Oranjezicht
Molteno Reservoir DE WAAL PARK
TE NG RA CH T
Tamboerskloof
MALAY QUARTER
RAL T ABLE
CENT
RU
Ne wl an ds Str ea m
LS K
THE SADDLE
PE
START
3305624 S 1802555 E
OP
DE W A
AL DR
OP
IVE
PAT H
Newlands Reservoir
KINGS BLOCKHOUSE
431m
TAFELBER GW EG
Westbrooke
T A
V&A Waterfront
COMPANY GARDENS
L E
M
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
Vredehoek
TURN LEFT A WILD CARD FROM SANPARKS LOADED WITH AN ANNUAL MTB PERMIT
BU I
TE N
KA
NT
THE PARADE
U
GROOTE SCHUUR MOSTERTS MILL WESTBROOKE
T
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
A
500m
CO NTO UR
WOODSTOCK CAVE
QUEENS BLOCKHOUSE
TURN RIGHT
Woodstock
M3 N2
KEEP LEFT
RHODES MEMORIAL
Rosebank
GRADING: Moderate DURATION: 24 hours CONFIGURATION: Various circular or return options; 1634km START POINT: Chelmsford Road, Vredehoek COORDINATES: 335624.15 S, 182555.09 E TERRAIN: Gravel road and jeep track MAP: Hiking maps available from the cable station CELL RECEPTION: Good
TRAIL INFO
23
Easiest
More difficult YES 61cm Mostly stable / some variability 10% or < Max 15% or >
Very diff. YES 30cm Widely variable 15% or less Max 15% or >
Extremely diff. YES 15cm Widely variable / unpredictable 20% or more Max 15% or >
YES 183cm Hardened / surfaced AVE. TRAIL GRADE < 5% MAX. TRAIL GRADE Max 10%
Glen Etive
Dwarsberg 790m
DEATH DROP
Sandhoogte
697m
Prinshof
Werf Dam
Top MTB Trails covers the best trails, routes and rides in the three Cape provinces. Edenville Up-to-date route info, great photographs Kweperfontein and excellent, detailed maps, along with IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System and AMA approvals, make this book the perfect comVergenoeg panion for experienced as well as aspiring mountain biking enthusiasts.
Ceres
Eselfontein
START
3302406 S 1902600 E Rooihoogte Dam BLAIR WITCH FOREST
Furrow
BABOON HIGHWAY
Floris Dam
545m
SNAKE BITE
Geelboskop 598m
SUIKERBOSSIE
R312
I S B N 978-1-77026-277-5
781770 262775
MAC/CPT/0512/TG/NB/MP
2012.
l
R300 R310
Cape Town
44
GATES, PARKING & FACILITIES MAJOR & MAIN ROADS OTHER ROADS MTB TRAILS OTHER JEEP TRACKS & WALKING TRAILS
1204m
MapStudio website
A comprehensive list of trails to explore in the other six provinces, plus a directory of bike shops and a handy atlas of the area, can also be found at the back of the book.
Brandkop 565m
=Windmill Diemersfontein= Philadelphia = N Windmeul = Mbekweni n= Church 1864 , 7 NG 11 Rhebokskloof = Other Trail Map Paarl = Havana Hills 16 Ben Etive Rock= Paarl = Nature Reserve Landskroon 3 Mellish & Fairview = = = 9 Diemersdal Simonsvlei 10 16 8 Meerendal = DeMeye = =4 = 35 = N = Glen = = n Durbanville = 1 Carlou = Villiera = = 34 6Altygedacht = 17 =Kanonkop Delheim Tygerberg NR 16 , 10 Parow LEGEND Beyerskloof Morgenhof = Pniel Bellville, Kuilsrivier = = Bergkelder (( (( ((Hellshoogte Neethlingshof = N = Grand West n Cape Town Stellenbosch Hills = 10= Stellenbosch 7 International M $ = Kleine Zalze= = 12 Thunder Spier = Blaauwklippen 19 = = City Somerbosch N Ken Forrester = = Rust en Vrede = n Faure 2 13 = 20 Blue Gum Dam 30 M M 49 Lourensford Firgrove 7 , == Vergelegen Somerset West =
,
Eselfontein Dam
ECO CAMP
W
Bo -
p Bos
t rui
Vals
rivie r
Worcester
500m