Knysna Mountain Biking

[Big JD]

Greetings fellow Hubbers,

 

Later this month 8 of us are heading up to Knysna for a 3 day mountain bike trip. I would really appreciate any route suggestions, 3 day itineraries or any general route or trail tips to make the most of our time there. 

 

We are staying at Thesen Island and all are experienced XC riders looking to ride around 50-60kms each morning with some down time for R&R.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

JD

[JohanDiv]

Greetings fellow Hubbers,

 

Later this month 8 of us are heading up to Knysna for a 3 day mountain bike trip. I would really appreciate any route suggestions, 3 day itineraries or any general route or trail tips to make the most of our time there.

 

We are staying at Thesen Island and all are experienced XC riders looking to ride around 50-60kms each morning with some down time for R&R.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

JD

Garden Route Trail Park!! Definitely start there!

[Ispeed_V]

You could look to do some of the K2C backwards.

 

Climb up the Simola hill. Hit the dirt to Diepwalle and then back along the R339 (see attached)

 

Alternatively if you want to add some more distance, when you hit Diepwalle, instead of turning right onto the R339, turn left. Ride the R339 till you hit the R340. Turn right onto the R340 and then all the way to Keurbooms. (Will need someone to meet you at Keurbooms to lift you back to Knysna). Nice lunch spot at Keurbooms - Tyme and Again Farmstall

[dirtypot]

Garden Route Trail Park!! Definitely start there!

 

Just go to GRTP for three days.  Sorted.  

Although, there's also Harkerville...

[Orbit]

Day 1 - Harkerville. A nice scenic meander through the forest and along the coast. Either do all the loops for 50km or ride to and from the trailhead on the road and do red loop.

 

Day 2 - Knysna Trails. Check out trailforks for maps. You probably also have to pay a day license fee at one of the bike shops. Trails start at top of Simola climb so will be a good ride from Thesen Island.

 

Day 3 - GRTP. Bit of a ride/drive to get out there but all the flow trails and power climbs to keep you smiling for weeks.

[Big JD]

Day 1 - Harkerville. A nice scenic meander through the forest and along the coast. Either do all the loops for 50km or ride to and from the trailhead on the road and do red loop.

 

Day 2 - Knysna Trails. Check out trailforks for maps. You probably also have to pay a day license fee at one of the bike shops. Trails start at top of Simola climb so will be a good ride from Thesen Island.

 

Day 3 - GRTP. Bit of a ride/drive to get out there but all the flow trails and power climbs to keep you smiling for weeks.

 

Thanks. This sounds like a good combination of all the suggestions above. Would like to somehow combine Petrus Se Brand with Harkerville, might try and see if one of the bike shops does transport. 

[Ispeed_V]

Give Kevin Evans a shout. Owns the bike shop in Plett and am sure that he can give you plenty MTB routes in and around Knysna / Plett

[bullet77]

Cairnbrogie Farm trails just outside Plett. Spectacular ocean views and some XC and flow trails with options to loop or explore. These trails link up to Harkerville but extra permit/s are needed for this. 

[Red Robin]

Cairnbrogie Farm trails just outside Plett. Spectacular ocean views and some XC and flow trails with options to loop or explore. These trails link up to Harkerville but extra permit/s are needed for this. 

 

Thank you for this, I have already contacted them regarding bike hire for Dec/Jan as we are not taking our bikes down. 

 

if you ride there, would you be able to give some info regarding the blue coastal loop? is it family friendly? children are  quite experienced riders and normally do 20 km trail rides but I don't want to take them on a trail that is not suitable.  

 

Thank you

[bullet77]

Thank you for this, I have already contacted them regarding bike hire for Dec/Jan as we are not taking our bikes down. 

 

if you ride there, would you be able to give some info regarding the blue coastal loop? is it family friendly? children are  quite experienced riders and normally do 20 km trail rides but I don't want to take them on a trail that is not suitable.  

 

Thank you

The coastal loop is fairly flat with nothing to steep up or down, there are other options closer to the clubhouse like a pump track and some proper XC racing loops but nothing technical really.

[Emazing]

You could look to do some of the K2C backwards.

 

Climb up the Simola hill. Hit the dirt to Diepwalle and then back along the R339 (see attached)

 

Alternatively if you want to add some more distance, when you hit Diepwalle, instead of turning right onto the R339, turn left. Ride the R339 till you hit the R340. Turn right onto the R340 and then all the way to Keurbooms. (Will need someone to meet you at Keurbooms to lift you back to Knysna). Nice lunch spot at Keurbooms - Tyme and Again Farmstall

Possibly any GXP files ?

Edited November 12, 2020 by Emazing

[X-Man]

Day 1 - Harkerville. A nice scenic meander through the forest and along the coast. Either do all the loops for 50km or ride to and from the trailhead on the road and do red loop.

 

Day 2 - Knysna Trails. Check out trailforks for maps. You probably also have to pay a day license fee at one of the bike shops. Trails start at top of Simola climb so will be a good ride from Thesen Island.

 

Day 3 - GRTP. Bit of a ride/drive to get out there but all the flow trails and power climbs to keep you smiling for weeks.

This sounds good..

 

Just curious is it relatively safe to ride. My 12 year old son will be accompanying me BUT safety 1st.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated

[X-Man]

Also the Forest located above Simola Hill where the Knysna CT starts is that fairly safe to ride as well?

 

I use to ride this often (last ridden 3 years ago) but I know there's an informal settlement that was growing and not quite sure how much of the forest is affected by this now

[ivan888]

Harkerville. Garden Route trail park. (Best carrot cake in the world). Seven passes.

Edited December 1, 2020 by ivan888

[Emazing]

Sounds great. Now just need device to view Trailforks