10 Day Mountain Biking the Western Cape

Your Itinerary and abbreviations:
KM = distance cycled by bike, AM = altitude climbed by bike, B/L/D/W = meals included (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner/ Wine tasting)

We collect you from the Cape Town Airport or your guesthouse and head to our base camp in Stellenbosch, our base for the next two nights. Once changed and bikes are set up, we have a fairly simple decision to make. Which of the many trails in the area do we ride? Jonkershoek is a good one to start with. You can ride directly from the guest house and explore any number of purpose-built single track and forestry gravel road. This you can discuss this with your guide. We spend two nights in a comfortable guest house. (D)

Relaxed breakfast then we hit the trails of the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate. This network has been designed and created by Hero Adventure Trails and caters for all levels of mountain biker. This network has been selected as the official off-road training grounds for the UCI. You can decide how hard you would like to go. The view of the surrounding wine estates and Table Mountain in the distance will rejuvenate your soul. We stop for lunch on one of the wine farms before transferring back to Stellenbosch. The afternoon is free to wander around and visit the many galleries, bistros or just sit and take in the vibe. (B)

After an early breakfast, we head out over the Hottentot’s Holland Mountain to our main apple and pear growing region – Elgin. For the next few hours, we have the choice of two trail networks. Oak Valley, known for the many bridges and route options which caters for all level of rider. And Paul Cluver, known for their handcrafted trails, views, lung-bursting climbs and action-packed downhills. After the fun, we drive back to Gordon’s Bay and spend the next two nights in a comfortable guest house. (B)

Breakfast as usual then we head back towards the Elgin Valley, this time we visit the Lebanon trail network. We have four routes to choose from ranging from 7.3km/ 10km/ 17 and 26 km, offering a little something to all levels of rider with a unique riding experience that combines forested pine tree slopes and mountainous fynbos with breathtaking views and orchards This you can discuss with your guide.  After lunch, we then head back to base. The local Bikini Beach is a must to refresh after a hard day on the bike. (B)

After breakfast, we drive to the whale capital of the world, Hermanus. The whales arrive around June and leave November, if you are here between these dates then a boat trip is highly recommended (optional) To fit both a boat trip and some trail riding all depends on availability. This you can discuss this with us at the time of your booking. The next two nights we spend in Hermanus in a comfortable guest house. (B)

Depending on what you did yesterday will depend on what you do today. Whales or trail. The Hermanus trails offer four route options: Green – 7km/ 150m of climb. Blue – 12km/ 200m of climb. Red – 26km /690m of climb and Black – 65km/ 1750m of climb. All trails have their differences on single track, hills, gravel and tar roads BUT they all offer spectacular views. To be honest, our favourite is the RED. Come see for yourselves. (B)

Leave after breakfast and head north towards Worcester through the Overberg region. Known for the rolling vistas of grain farming and home to South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane. We pass Cape Towns' main freshwater scheme, Theewaterskloof Dam before we get to our next mountain bike adventure. We do a basic ride in the Slanghoek Valley. The trail network is basic and offers a scenic ride along the mountains, through vineyards and mountain streams. You get to cycle through a game camp and see springbok. Our 13km ride will cross streams with bridges before we join an extra 4km loop which is a bit more challenging with some technical terrain, great climbs, and downhills. We do lunch and a wine tasting on our return before continuing onto Ceres. (B/W)

Eselfontein was used by the Absa Cape Epic. Stage 1 of the 2020 edition was held here. This oldest working farm in the Ceres Valley practices mixed farming with peaches, apples, pears, grains, and dairy, not to forget trail running and mountain biking. The true magic lies in the variety and quality of purpose-built single track through the majestic Skurwe and Matroosberg mountains and offers beautiful rock formations, perennial waterfalls, proteas, fynbos, leopard, baboon and a few antelope sorts. There are three routes to choose from: Green – 16km, Red – 36 and Black – 65km. We have our favourite, come see for yourself. (B)

After breakfast, we pack our bags and head onto the next biking adventure. Yesterday was a “rest your legs” kinda day. Today we explore the valley between the Hawekwa and Groenberg mountain ranges. There are a number of trails to choose with names like Porcupine Loop (26km/ 936m) Wild Boar Loop (45km/ 1495m), Warthog Loop (38km/ 1229m) After some single trail fun we then head back to where this adventure started, Stellenbosch. (B/D)

Depending on your flight times, you may just be able to fit in one last ride, or just relax and reflect before we take you to the airport. (B)