MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE GARDEN ROUTE
The Garden Route on the southern coast of South Africa is one of the most scenic and spectacular stretches of coastline in the world – a true paradise. The national highway runs from Cape Town in the east, to Port Elizabeth through the breathtaking Garden Route with its bays, cliffs, white sand beaches, lakes, dense forest and National Parks. The Garden Route has also become sought after for its adrenalin activities. The lakes, forests, oceans and mountains provide a host of activities for the true adventure seeker. Activities include the highest bungy jump in the world at the Bloukrans Bridge, a sheer cliff-face known as Needle Point at Featherbed Nature Reserve, kite surfing, abseiling etc. For a unique eco-wilderness adventure, book a treetop canopy tour in the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest which involves traversing between platforms suspended in the forest 30 meters apart. Other activities include arts and crafts, hiking, golf, scuba-diving, bird watching, whale watching, and indigenous plant viewing. Couples from all over the world decide to get married in this prestine paradise. But the Western Cape's most well loved cycling routes are all on the Garden Route. There are miles of scenic single track and jeep track trails through tangled indigenous forest, plantations, colourful and fragrant fynbos and along beautiful cliff tops overlooking the ocean. There are also some escorted trails here. The magnificent mountain biking trails in the Harkerville Forest area near Knysna are easily the most popular in South Africa. Four colour-coded routes suited to varying levels of riders range from an easy doddle to fast-flowing single-track that take in the dazzling ocean views. All these routes meander through a combination of coastal fynbos, indigenous forest and shady plantations. Also in close proximity to Knysna is the Homtini Forest Trail, a circular route which consists of jeep and singletrack with a character building climb (about 5 km) and winds through 19 km of tranquil forest.
The Swartberg Pass, near Oudtshoorn is a great downhill run – there's a great tour that takes you up the pass by minibus and leaves you to do the 50km downhill back to the town by bike. It's a great full day trip with visits to the Cango Caves, ostrich farms and other attractions en route. The first 10km is a wild, twisty, descent on a well maintained unpaved road. The region offers a range of mountain biking routes : We would love to hear how you experienced the region and the mountain biking routes and include your stories and photos on our site : domos@photoworkshop.co.za HARKERVILLE CYCLE ROUTE Situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, Harkerville forest is the ideal location for recreational mountain-biking. The relatively easy gradients and diversity of the rides offer some of the finest cycling in the Southern Cape. Route Description Four distinct routes have been laid out through indigenous forest, plantation and coastal fynbos and have been colour-coded Yellow, Blue, Green and Red giving a choice of ride distances. All four start and finish at the Garden of Eden, on the N2, where permits must be obtained. Alternative access roads are available, starting from the Kranshoek Road Gate, or the Kranshoek Picnic Site. Permits may also be obtained at the Kranshoek Road Gate during season only. Out of season permits are only obtainable at the Garden of Eden. HOMTINI CYLE ROUTE This cycle route has been planned for mountain-bikes and includes a number of single-track sections. Most of the route follows relatively easy contours, but for a short, steep section between kilometers five and nine. This Climb is though and should be taken slowly. The cycle route is named Homtini, a Khoi word meaning “the passage” or “difficult passage”, which probably refers to the narrow gorges of the Homtini River which lie to the immediate west of Portland Heights. PETRUS SE BRAND CYCLE ROUTE This route has been planned for mountain bike riders of average fitness and covers a distance of just over 24 kilometers. You may begin your ride at the Diepwalle Forest Station office of from the Garden-of-Eden. The recommended direction is, however, from north to south (i.e. Diepwalle to Garden-of-Eden); it is slightly easier, due to the fall in elevation. Those riding from Diepwalle can check-in at the Diepwalle Forest Station Office, whilst riders choosing the northbound option must obtain their permits at a nominal fee from the kiosk at the Garden-of-Eden (08:00 to 17:00) or at the Forestry Regional Office, at Demar Centre, in the Main Street of Knysna. If you are cycle fit, the southbound route can be ridden in one hour and twenty minutes (cycling time). The so-called average rider should complete the distance in two hours. Those who wish to ride at a more leisurely pace (i.e. family group) should allow for about three hours of riding. Add time for breaks (e.g. for viewing scenery, lunch breaks or swims.) Pace yourself: (Southbound) Those riding northward from the Garden-of-Eden to Diepwalle will take a little longer. |