Start off at the Fernkloof reserve - just as you go through the gate you will see a small sign directing you to the right. Start your ride here. Take note of the small sign as these boards mark the trail from now on. The trail is immediately single track and heads off in an easterly direction along the Fernkloof mountain. The trail runs above the residential fringe of Hermanus. There are one or two short (50 or 60m) sections where you ride on tar to link parts of the trail, but the vast majority of the ride for the first 8 or 9 kms is single track. There are no long climbs, but there are a number of tricky short sharp rocky climbs that will get the old heart rate up. There is also a nice river crossing The trail reaches its easterly extreme a couple of kms outside Hermanus on the Stanford road. The trail then crosses this road and doubles back towards Hermanus on the other (coastal) side of the road in a Westerly direction (look out for the signs). Here you will ride another 2km or so single track - including a few quite technical and sandy sections before popping out near the caravan park. After a couple of hundred meters on the tar the trail then turns towards the sea going through some awesome forest tunnel. For the next few kms the trail runs between the beach houses and the sea (with one or two exceptions - look out for the signs!) After a relatively easy river crossing, the trail enters the suburbs for a km or two before ending off at the start at Fernkloof. The total distance is about 15kms but you can tailor it as much as you like. It is a very rewarding ride - exceptionally beautiful with some nice interesting riding surfaces. Highly recommended.
