There are many fantastic MTB Trails on the Cape West Coast where all enthusiasts, from families and beginners to experts and professionals, will find a mountain bike trail to suit them. The vast range of road and trail conditions, weather patterns and fauna and flora always make for an interesting ride.
Ground and surface types in the region vary greatly and there is everything from sand and loose gravel, to hard packed calcrete and corrugated roads, to rocky climbs and marshy vleis, to coastal and mountainous single track. The cool moist winter months mean that many of the sandier tracks become rideable for 3-4 months of the year, allowing for a variety of fynbos single track routes.
And being a relatively unspoiled and wild area means that animal encounters are almost guaranteed.
Yzerfontein
!khwa ttu San Cultural and Education Centre
With its diverse terrain and spectacular vistas, !Khwa ttu has the perfect landscape for excellent mountain biking. Their trail includes two well-marked routes suitable for all levels of experience, from casual leisure rider to experienced adrenaline junkie. The combination of single track, jeep track, farm roads, relaxed riding, technical sections, fast moving terrain and beautiful scenery all make for the perfect ride.
Where: R27
Contact: +27 22 492 2998 | www.khwattu.org
Langebaan
West Coast Fossil Park Trails
Beginning at the visitor’s centre, there are four trails from which to choose, varying in distance and degrees of difficulty. Traversing a number of different rehabilitated areas in the Fossil Park, they offer an excellent opportunity to experience first-hand the unique west coast flora and fauna. After your ride, you can take one of their fascinating fossil tours or relax with a picnic basket in the lovely garden area.
Where: R27
Contact: +27 22 766 1606 | www.fossilpark.org.za
West Coast National Park
Mountain biking is a unique way to experience the West Coast National Park and there are two mountain-biking trails to choose from, both offering spectacular scenic rides which are not too challenging. The routes are circular with red and green trail marking. Situated on the Langebaan Lagoon, the trails are very scenic and not too technically challenging, so suitable for all riders.
Where: R27
Contact: +27 22 772-2144/5 | www.sanparks.co.za/parks/west_coast/
Saldanha
SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve
The pristine reserve is located inside the military grounds on a peninsula at the north western end of Saldanha bay. Some of the tracks can be a bit sandy in summer but otherwise it is great for riding all year round. Summer has cool sea breezes and in spring you will experience some of the best flowers displays on the West Coast.
Where: R45
Contact: +27 22 7522 718
Citrusdal
Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
The Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort is not called a mountain resort for no reason. The resort is surrounded by cliffs and trails to make any mountain biking enthusiast’s mouth water.
The resort has a 30km medium to difficult mountain biking trail, which is single track with some jeep track and courses through rough terrain with spectacular views of the Cederberg Mountains in the distance.
Where: N7 Piekenierskloof Pass, Citrusdal, 7340
Contact: +27 (0)22 921 3574 | [email protected] | www.piekenierskloof.co.za
