Ground Zero/Witfontien/saasveld

[esCape-ist]

I will be spending a week in George at the end of August, and am excited to check out the trail networks around there that everyone rates so highly. But I'm battling to make sense of where to start, or where the trail heads etc are, and what to do in terms of permits or access to the trails.

Is there a sineo permit that covers all the trails, or so you need to pay separately for each, and what does it costs. 

I'm sure it would be easy to make sense of it all once I'm there, but it's now to be a bit prepared.

[Thermophage]

Technically you dont need a permit to ride any of the George/Witfontein trails. GZ pump track you do pay a minimal fee.

However, if you really enjoy the trails, I'd look into just buyuing a George Hillbillies annual permit..they're cheap and, IMO, underfunded big time.

[esCape-ist]

Cool. I am happy to support the trail builders. Will look into the annual permit, but it depends on price, as I won't be going there more than once a year. 

[esCape-ist]

Okay, just checked now, at R350.00 for the year, I'm happy to pay that for the week I am there. That is seriously good value for locals that could ride those trails every day if they wanted to

[Thermophage]

Yeah dude, seriously under valued, but the locals put up a moerse stink when there was talk of increasing fees I hear  R350 is peanuts for a year for those trails. They are unbelievably good.

[Steady Spin]

While not that close to George, I can highly recommend a day trip out to Cairnbrogie between Knysna and Plett. Insanely good trails and well worth the money spent on fuel. So many options of sections to link together that you can end up spending a whole day there. Just take note that they are closed on Mondays. 

Second to that I would say Harkerville. The views are amazing and the trail is a good challenge if you do the red route. 

[esCape-ist]

19 hours ago, Steady Spin said:

While not that close to George, I can highly recommend a day trip out to Cairnbrogie between Knysna and Plett. Insanely good trails and well worth the money spent on fuel. So many options of sections to link together that you can end up spending a whole day there. Just take note that they are closed on Mondays. 

Second to that I would say Harkerville. The views are amazing and the trail is a good challenge if you do the red route. 

Thanks. I have ridden Harkerville before, and it is super. Will consider giving Cairnbrogie a try, time dependent.

19 hours ago, Thermophage said:

Yeah dude, seriously under valued, but the locals put up a moerse stink when there was talk of increasing fees I hear  R350 is peanuts for a year for those trails. They are unbelievably good.

They probably don't realise how good they have it. 

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Many trails start at the Garden Route dam - an easy trailhead to find.

You could also head up to the Garden Route Trail Park - very much worth a visit.

[Thermophage]

The trails from the dam are very much meh...As for GRTP...If you have loads of time, liek OP, then yes worth it. If you just have 3 days...Don't bother leaving Witfontein, you won't rride it all and you will want to ride most of it twice

OP, be sure to check Trailforks.