Best MTB trails in CT

[Catatonic_Joe]

Hi guys, 

I'm in CT till the 19th Dec, I'm staying in Parow North with family. 

I'm looking for recommendations on some MTB trails to ride, I'm good for distances of around 40-60km's, depending on the elevation, I don't mind driving out a bit too get to the trails, but not too far. The only place I've ridden in CT was in Tokai about 18 years ago.

Any recommendations would be gratefully appreciated. 

Thanks in advance

Edited December 14 by Catatonic_Joe

[Titleist]

https://tygerbergmtb.co.za/

[Catatonic_Joe]

1 hour ago, Titleist said:

https://tygerbergmtb.co.za/

Thanks, will check out out, less than 20 mins from me.

[Anthem24]

Trailforks website is free and will show you difficulty, popularity etc for most trails in the greater  Cape Town area. This is the popularity of Tygerberg trails. Since it's based on the last 9 months, results may have been affected by trail closures during winter.

Edited Saturday at 04:05 PM by Anthem24
caveat re popularity index

[Murrob]

Depends what you after technical wise. Jonkershoek is fantastic with a wide range of trails from super technical black to easy blue trails. But put your climbing boots on. Banhoek is about as much fun on a manicured trail as you can find, but not much distance. But you can bolt on other farms as well in the network. Muratie is super for more natural trails. Plaisir is great and you start and finish at Boschendal, which is nice for family hang out at while you hit the trails. As mentioned the tygerburg network is also good. 

[mrcg]

For your request for ease of access, the Tygerberg trails will be more than you can wish for. It's got all different specs and you can pick and choose distance and elevation accordingly. Perhaps also look into holiday membership options, as paying every day might add up. But you will want to ride every day - so many good trails to explore: Hoogekraal, Contermanskloof, Bloemendal, Meerendal etc

[leon_pro]

https://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/about-mtb-trails/

They have holiday permits for R250 for the whole holiday. 
Day permit is R100

 

Edited Sunday at 06:50 AM by leon_pro

[Catatonic_Joe]

21 hours ago, mrcg said:

So many good trails to explore: Hoogekraal, Contermanskloof, Bloemendal, Meerendal etc

Planning to go to Tygerberg tomorrow, are these all part of the Tygerberg network?

[mikkelz]

Stellenbosch and Jonkershoek. 👌

[Catatonic_Joe]

2 minutes ago, mikkelz said:

Stellenbosch and Jonkershoek. 👌

Yeah, I see it's about a 40min drive from where I am. I would love to go there, but my wife has an itinerary for us here in CT, so have to be back in time. Going to try and make a plan, don't come to CT very often.

[milky4130]

42 minutes ago, Catatonic_Joe said:

Planning to go to Tygerberg tomorrow, are these all part of the Tygerberg network?

Yes but 1 permit doesn’t allow you access to all the farms and members only corridors. I think your best bang for buck is a Hoogekraal day permit then you can ride Hoogekraal+Welvergenoegd+Fair Cape Farms. That will be more than enough to keep you busy.

the other bang for buck is a Bloemendal Permit which will give you access to Both sides of the tar road ie. Upper+Lower Bloemendal+Hillcrest.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 07:48 PM by milky4130

[Catatonic_Joe]

Are there good trails close to Constantia?

[Robbie Stewart]

37 minutes ago, Catatonic_Joe said:

Are there good trails close to Constantia?

Tokai. The jury is hanging on which trail is better between Tokai and Jonkershoek which are arguably two of the best mountain bike trails in South Africa. If you're going to be in Constantia you will regret not riding Tokai.

[Robbie Stewart]

53 minutes ago, milky4130 said:

Yes but 1 permit doesn’t allow you access to all the farms and members only corridors. I think your best bang for buck is a Hoogekraal day permit then you can ride Hoogekraal+Welvergenoegd+Fair Cape Farms. That will be more than enough to keep you busy.

the other bang for buck is a Bloemendal Permit which will give you access to Both sides of the tar road ie. Upper+Lower Bloemendal+Hillcrest.

 

 

You are allowed to transition between Hoogekraal and Contermanskloof and back if you're not a member. Day pass is R60 at Hoogies which includes the trails as mentioned and a Conties day pass is R50. Those two trails provide a good mix of distance, elevation and a variety of technicality that will keep you busy for an entire day without the need to go anywhere else. And when you're done you'll be properly fried. My suggestion is to start and finish at Contermanskloof because of the insanely good carrot cake, great coffee, excellent pizzas and mad good beer you won't find anywhere else. 

[milky4130]

32 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

You are allowed to transition between Hoogekraal and Contermanskloof and back if you're not a member. Day pass is R60 at Hoogies which includes the trails as mentioned and a Conties day pass is R50. Those two trails provide a good mix of distance, elevation and a variety of technicality that will keep you busy for an entire day without the need to go anywhere else. And when you're done you'll be properly fried. My suggestion is to start and finish at Contermanskloof because of the insanely good carrot cake, great coffee, excellent pizzas and mad good beer you won't find anywhere else. 

Correct the Anna Beulah corridor only but the permit for Contermanskloof is R70 now. So R70+R60 if you combine the 2, but there is enough on each of these trail heads to keep you occupied for at least 2 - 3 hours so no need to really venture across the board unless you really need the mile and vert.

[Alouette3]

9 hours ago, Catatonic_Joe said:

Are there good trails close to Constantia?

Tokai is right there, otherwise the Constantia Greenbelts to the top of Southern Cross Drive, linking up to Constantia Nek into Kirstenbosch upper contour and across to Newlands Forest. Fairly well sign posted once you are on the trails.

From there you can even carry on to Rhodes Memorial