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If you’re still looking for a last minute gift, why not opt for a 2022 BHRC MTB permit – a gift that will keep giving. Available online https://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/shop/. As an exclusive introductory offer, Bottelary Hills annual permit holders get free access Polkadraai Bike Park for 2022. This family-orientated bike park caters for riders of all abilities with its kiddies track, pump track, flow, skills trails and fun line. Day permits for the bike park are available from Zetler Strawberry Farm. NEW TRAIL DEVELOPMENTS To ensure that our routes continue to offer exciting new mountain bike experiences for riders, the BHRC has invested R150 000 in 30km new trail developments, which includes 12km single tracks built by Trail Blazers and Conrad Stoltz respectively. The extensive trail network now totals 127km of farm roads, jeep tracks and numerous single tracks. While never too technical, there are challenging climbs and a variety of distances on offer for riders of all fitness levels. We’re also excited to announce the launch of the 7km BHRC Polkadraai loop across Karibib, Reyneke, De Toren and Sterling Wine Estates. Park and purchase day permits are available from Somm & Co. Karibib or the bike park for convenient access to the broader BHRC MTB trail network. NEW STARTING POINTS AND PERMIT SALES Super excited that Bellevue Wine Estate on Bottelary Road, Fort Simon Wine Estate on the Fischer Road, 18Coffee on Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Somm & Co Karibib and soon the Polkadraai Bike Park on the Polkadraai road have been added as new park and ride access points to the BHRC mountain bike trail network. Each of these venues offer food and wine experiences. Be sure to download the Trailforks App for route profiles and difficulty levels. If you’re new to mountain biking, the BHRC Orange route starting from either Bellevue of Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate is ideal. Gradual climbs on mostly jeep tracts and dam walls offer a relaxing nature experience and beautiful views. Day permits (R70) are available from park and ride points including: Asara Wine Estate, Bellevue Wine Estate tasting room on Bottelary Road, The Farmer’s Pantry on Brenaissance, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Fort Simon Wine Estate, Hazendal’s Babushka Deli, The Cellar Door at Jordan on the Stellenbosch Kloof road, 18Coffee at Neethlingshof, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Overgaauw (no permit sales), Somm & Co. Karibib and the Polkadraai Bike Park. In addition to the park and ride points, day permits are also available from Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad, Hellsend Bike Compound in Dorp Street Stellenbosch and the Dwars in die Weg security gate. Please note that permits are payable with Zapper. #RIDE4RENOSTERVELD Did you know that the Bottelary Hills falls within the Cape Floral Region (CFR) - listed by UNESCO as one of 34 internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots? Around 9 000 plant species of which around 70% are endemic - meaning that they are found nowhere else on earth – can be found in the CFR. Less than 5% of the original extent of Renosterveld vegetation remains as it grows in rich fertile soils, which is often replaced with commercial crops. The purpose of the BHRC is to retain and expand the patches of Renosterveld in its area, including the critically endangered Swartland Granite Renosterveld. Since the launch of the mountain bike trails in 2011 as a source of income, funds have been allocated to the clearing of invasive plant species and the conservancy now has more than 700 hectares of unspoilt Renosterveld. There has also been a notable difference in water streams flowing again and the natural re-establishment of Renosterveld plant species. HIKING TRAILS AND TRAILRUNNING No hiking is permitted on the BHRC single tracks, but circular hiking trails on Mooiplaas and Koopmanskloof cross over the MTB routes. In addition, Zevenwacht and Fort Simon offer vineyard walking trails. Permits are available directly from the respective tasting rooms except for Koopmanskloof, which is on appointment via christel@bottelaryconservancy.co.za. Zevenwacht also offers an annual walking/running permit – visit www.zevenwacht.co.za for more details. We will be launching a Bottelary Trailrun Series as well as longer guided hikes in 2022. Announcements to be made on our website and social media platforms - @BottelaryHillsConservancyMTB on facebook and @bottelary_hills_conservancy on Instagram.

The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) is celebrating 10 years of mountain with the addition of new single tracks and starting points and now offers a 120km trail network. To ensure that the routes continue to offer exciting new mountain bike experiences to riders, R160 000 was invested in new trail developments this past year. Trail-Blazers planned, designed and built the original trails and have played an integral part in trail maintenance and route developments over the past decade. In addition, they make a significant investment in community development through the employment of local youths. Not only have they generated 200 man days in the past six weeks, but also transferred valuable skills to the team. The Jordan route has been extended and now features a lovely new 1.2km single track designed and built by Conrad Stoltz, former triathlon world champion. Riders can look forward to a flowy single track in natural terrain with unique granite dome rides that is suitable for all levels of riders. On completion of his first project in collaboration with the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy, Stoltz stated that views of the ocean, mountains and vineyards will take your breath away, (if the climb doesn’t). Additional single track sections were also completed by Trail-Blazers and the owners of Jordan. “Nature lovers will appreciate the Renosterveld with its abundant wildlife. An eagle soaring on the breeze, sharing the trail with duiker and, if you're lucky, you may spot the caracal and its cub stepping into the brush. The location and its people are fantastic and made this one of my favourite builds. Hopefully it brings pleasure to riders for many years to come,” concluded Stoltz. The new single track section on Wolwedans Vineyards offers spectacular views, while the new single track from Fort Simon is ideal for those looking for a challenge and Bellevue will ease new riders into the trails. Another super exciting addition, is the Polkadraai loop that starts and finishes at Somm & Co at Karibib. A bonus offering for 2022 BHRC annual permit holders, is free access to the Polkadraai Bike Park set to open in the New Year. Day permits (R70 payable with Zapper) are available from Asara Wine Estate, Bellevue Wine Estate, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Fort Simon Wine Estate, Hazendal Wine Estate, Jordan Wine Estate, Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Somms & Co. Karibib, Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad, Hellsend Bike Compound Stellenbosch, Dwars in die Weg security in Devon Valley, Devonbosch coffee kiosk and soon the Polkadraai Bike Park. Annual permits available online www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za – also download Trailforks for an updated trail map and route profiles. The Bottelary Hills MTB Trails were opened by the Bottelary Hills Conservancy in April 2011 and allow controlled access to the conservancy via dedicated routes. The rolling hillsides feature vineyards, farmland, conservation areas and trails comprise of farm roads, jeep tracks and numerous single tracks. While never too technical, there are challenging climbs and a variety of distances on offer for riders of all fitness levels. The BHRC was founded to maintain, expand and sustain the large tracts of remaining Renosterveld in its area - less than 4% of the original Renosterveld in the Western Cape remains. Funds generated through annual and day permits as well as events are used mainly to subsidize alien vegetation eradication. In addition, dedicated community programmes and projects address the socio-economic challenges of the people living and working on the farms within the BHRC.