Adventure and Travel

Trail Daze | Witfontein

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 20 comments

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Following last year’s example in a desperate attempt to find greener pastures, a Southeaster-less, damp riding environment and even some loam, we headed about four hours up the N2 towards the Garden Route.

Based out of Sedgefield, we were pretty centrally located with easy access to a list of trails – all within a 30-40 minute drive. We were however only interested in two of these, one of which is dubbed Witfontein. Forming part of the 38 000 hectare Outeniqua Nature Reserve, the Witfontein trail network is a relatively small geographical area, packed with multiple ultra flowy lines, short climbs and some eye-popping green ferns, and has such an incredible atmosphere to it that it became and an instant favourite.

ccs-38514-0-43886600-1487925039.jpgWhich way shall we go. Turn right for dust, or left for ferns.

ccs-38514-0-46802000-1487924972.jpgWell, I guess the popcorn’s out the bag – it’s movie snacks that make him fast….

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ccs-38514-0-86712300-1487925069.jpgThe necessary evil. Even though it totally disrupts the beautiful rolling landscape, it’s rather clean and tidy compared to most industrial setups.

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ccs-38514-0-88935000-1487925134.jpgA quick beer and pizza stop at Pili Pili in Sedgefield to wrap up the four hour drive before we head to base for an early morning rise.

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ccs-38514-0-81015500-1487925177.jpgSunrise over Sedgefield and you know it’s gonna be a good day out.

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ccs-38514-0-10333400-1487925245.jpgWilderness at dawn has got to be up there with the most scenic in the world. Definitely worth the 5am alarm.

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ccs-38514-0-56528300-1487925320.jpgIn many ways, the story of South Africa. Such amazing beauty, ruined by a$$holes.

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ccs-38514-0-17565400-1487926114.jpgThis part of the country is hops central, with massive productions on both sides of the Outeniqua Pass. #getyourbeeron.

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ccs-38514-0-72960500-1487926196.jpgWith no real rain in forever, and the Southeaster sucking the last bit of moisture out of Cape Town, the contrast in environments are stark. Lush blankets of ferns and other luminous green flora, covered with droplets, line this whole network from top to bottom.

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ccs-38514-0-25492900-1487926344.jpgNext level trail building. Constructed in the 1940’s, the 14km long Outeniqua Pass connects the Garden Route to the Little Karoo. It’s hard to imagine something of such scale, constructed of sandstone, was done by the hands of Italian prisoners of war and later (after the war) by local labourers.

ccs-38514-0-40518500-1487926350.jpgThe top of the trail network is indicated by a railway line. This is the highest point of the Witfontein trails, and from here you drop down along the exposed downhill line, before entering the pine plantations that host the rest of the trails.

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If you looked at a map of the trails around Witfontein, you’d probably give it a miss and go and ride elsewhere. You would certainly be making a mistake in doing so! They only cover a small area but every trail is an absolute gem. Multiple lined rock gardens, punchy corners, poppy roots, and beautifully shaped jumps will mean you’ll want to ride all day long in this little patch of paradise.
Daniel Dobinson | iRideAfrica

ccs-38514-0-08045900-1487926470.jpgStrava = Hospital? Challenge accepted.

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ccs-38514-0-87279600-1487926603.jpgLogging and fire roads connect the various segments of trail, and with a very mild gradient, you’ll find yourself pedalling up ‘one more time’, a few times.

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Witfontein trails are somewhat of a hidden gem in the forests of George. They offered some incredibly fun riding with poppy berms and steep rock shoots among the rooty trails. There are so many trail options to choose from, each with multiple lines. I haven’t had such a good day riding my bike in South Africa for a long time, as I did at the Witfontein trails. The locals really have turned the forest into a trail riders dream.
Matt Lombardi

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ccs-38514-0-70529800-1487926807.jpg*Pine Ring mushrooms add another splash of colour to the already technicolour surroundings on offer at Witfontein. Apparently they’re edible – but don’t quote me on that.

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ccs-38514-0-76802500-1487927237.jpgWith all but one trail segment under full canopy, this is the perfect place to ride during summer months as the trees keep the scorching African sun off your back.

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Keep an eye out for part two of the Garden Route Trail Daze trip…

This project is made possible by:

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Outeniqua Nature Reserve parking GPS: 33°56’06.6″S 22°25’38.5″E

Riders : Daniel Dobinson | Matt Lombardi

Permit: Apparently it’s free

All images by Ewald Sadie

instagram:

@ewaldsadie

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Comments

nox1111

Feb 27, 2017, 5:56 AM

That new Trance...WOW!

Oh yes, and lekker photos, looks like fun!

Robbie Stewart

Feb 27, 2017, 6:14 AM

George....how I miss that part of my history.

the nerd

Feb 27, 2017, 6:24 AM

Looks amazing!

PhilipV

Feb 27, 2017, 6:33 AM

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Following last year's example in a desperate attempt to find greener pastures, a Southeaster-less, damp riding environment and even some loam, we headed about four hours up the N2 towards the Garden Route.

Click here to view the article

You know it is going to be a lekker week if it starts with a fresh Trail Daze. Lekker!

I think om knocking off early to go ride.

Dankie Ewald.

Headshot

Feb 27, 2017, 9:59 AM

Kief whips ek se!

Odinson

Feb 27, 2017, 10:26 AM

Interesting...

 

 

Permit: Apparently it's free

 

Nevertheless, sick pics and even sicker riding.

Dan Dob

Feb 27, 2017, 12:20 PM

Looks amazing!

It really is a great place to ride. T one of those places you you can introduce newbies to and they would have a blast as well as trails that will get seasoned riders beaming from ear to ear.

Dan Dob

Feb 27, 2017, 12:22 PM

Interesting...

 

 

Nevertheless, sick pics and even sicker riding.

Why interesting? We asked the local builder there (Dihaan) and that's the information we received. He did mention that you could sign up with HillBillies for an annual membership and the money would go towards signage and trail building costs, so that would always be first prize.

MTBeer

Feb 27, 2017, 12:40 PM

How long is a full loop? Can anyone just pitch up and ride? Is there trail signage?

 

Makes a 3 day trip to the area worthwhile - Harkerville + GRTP + Witfontein.

Dan Dob

Feb 27, 2017, 1:13 PM

There aren't really 'loops' but there is signage to all the trails so you can just make your own ride up (the best kind of trail network in my opinion and pretty much same concept like last month's featured article on Table Mountain). Check out Trailforks and you can get idea of the routes and then you can just have a blast linking them up to your preference. AC/DC is an all-time great though it's short and steep so be careful!

Matchstix

Feb 27, 2017, 1:55 PM

AC/DC was part of the original dh we tried to build back in 2000. It's a shame the 2 upper parts has been lost over time.

 

As for the DH Raymond Bloem, has spent a lot of time there at one stage. Bret Pelser and another guy who's name escapes me now. Mr Fred Lingenfelder also built acouple of the trails there.

hansolo

Feb 27, 2017, 2:13 PM

Nice to see trails I started to ride on (and helped to build in some cases) here, brings back great memories! Think I should plan a weekend to the old hometown soon.

 

Keep up the good work.

Matchstix

Feb 27, 2017, 2:23 PM

Muddy mission in the area with Hansolo... a while ago

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Dan Dob

Feb 27, 2017, 4:02 PM

Muddy mission in the area with Hansolo... a while ago

The good old days-and people complain about new bike technology! Nice baggies :D

Guest

Mar 1, 2017, 10:01 AM

love it 

tunariaan

Mar 1, 2017, 9:02 PM

place.

If you enjoy it out here please pay up for Hillbillies membership at any of the local bike shops.

We uae the money to maintain and build new tracks.

Hopefully on the next shoot you guys are down the old track would have been extended another 300m al the way to the sentec tower

MTBeer

Mar 6, 2017, 10:14 AM

place.

If you enjoy it out here please pay up for Hillbillies membership at any of the local bike shops.

We uae the money to maintain and build new tracks.

Hopefully on the next shoot you guys are down the old track would have been extended another 300m al the way to the sentec tower

Hi Tunarian

 

We will be in the area (coming from Cape Town) later this month and plan to ride there. Do we need to pay anywhere?

Grease_Monkey

Aug 11, 2018, 10:55 AM

In George for the long weekend and decided to bring the bikes along with the idea of going to Garden Route Trail Park for a day. Just by chance the guest house I booked at is right at the entrance to Witfontein (didn't even know about it's existance apart from a friend mentioning it to me). Anyway, so a couple locals ride past and I shouted at them to stop (the must've thought I was insane), they explained a bit if how the routes work and which the best lines are to take.

 

Anyway, just came back from a 3hr ride now - and this place is amazing! Such a cool variety of trails, from flowy berms to janky roots to steep rock gardens - and all of this under a green canopy of trees.

 

Needless to say I am not driving an hour to GRTP with possibly the best trails I have ever ridden right on my doorstep! Will be out for another loop this afternoon and again tomorrow morning!

Grease_Monkey

Aug 11, 2018, 10:56 AM

Hi Tunarian

 

We will be in the area (coming from Cape Town) later this month and plan to ride there. Do we need to pay anywhere?

For those wondering there are Hillbilly's boards at the trailheads with a Zapper/Snapscan QR code so you can donate.

Robbie Stewart

Oct 2, 2020, 8:33 AM

In George for the long weekend and decided to bring the bikes along with the idea of going to Garden Route Trail Park for a day. Just by chance the guest house I booked at is right at the entrance to Witfontein (didn't even know about it's existance apart from a friend mentioning it to me). Anyway, so a couple locals ride past and I shouted at them to stop (the must've thought I was insane), they explained a bit if how the routes work and which the best lines are to take.

 

Anyway, just came back from a 3hr ride now - and this place is amazing! Such a cool variety of trails, from flowy berms to janky roots to steep rock gardens - and all of this under a green canopy of trees.

 

Needless to say I am not driving an hour to GRTP with possibly the best trails I have ever ridden right on my doorstep! Will be out for another loop this afternoon and again tomorrow morning!

 

reviving an old post, but I rode Witfontein for the first time last week too. I was also heading out the GRTP, but I was feeling a bit lazy and chose rather to ride the local George trails instead. (having grown up in George, I used to cycle these same forest roads back in the early 90's on my Hansom 21-speed steel road bike - a gravel bike in today's standards). 

 

What a revelation. These are indeed some of the better trails I have ridden to date. I am sorry Cape Town, but there is nothing close to this around here as I have found. George is my new trail mecca. And to top it off, I hail from there and my family still live there, so know I will take my bike 'home' every chance I get.

 

And as much as I hate to admit it, I am starting to understand the whole tygerberm thing.

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