Kogelberg MTB Route

[Jan D]

Has anyone ridden the Kogelberg nature reserve MTB route? Is it possible to ride it with a gravel bike, and does anyone have a .gpx file? I've been looking around online but can't find anything meaningful.

Thanks!

[Anthem24]

Haven't ridden there for well over a decade, but the roads were always rocky in places.

The map is here and it's straight forward enough to follow:

https://www.capenature.co.za/uploads/files/Reserves/CapeNature-Kogelberg-2025.pdf

"A moderate 22km ride along the jeep track through the Kogelberg Valley starts at the reserve office. The route should take between 2-4 hours. Please use sunscreen, protected riding gear and make sure you have plenty of water on the trail. Permits can be purchased from the reserve office. Please note mountain bikers must be wearing helmets at all times."

The route from the N2 from the Eskom hydropower office was closed many years ago because mtbikers were rude to the farmer.

[Anthem24]

I should add that we used to ride in from Bettys Bay and then buy the permit at the offices -- someone here can hopefully say if that's still allowed.

[Jan D]

2 minutes ago, Anthem24 said:

I should add that we used to ride in from Bettys Bay and then buy the permit at the offices -- someone here can hopefully say if that's still allowed.

Thanks for your response! We've got the permits, bought them on the Cape Nature website, I've also found the map, just wondering whether it's really jeep track all the way or if there are technical sections (basically just deciding which bike to take)

[Anthem24]

It's jeep track -- road or middelmannetjie -- all the way to Stoekoe bridge but the upper parts were very eroded in places, with dongas, rocks and sand. Perhaps they have kept up with repairs and maintenance, but a mtb would be better. 

[Mamil]

12 minutes ago, Anthem24 said:

It's jeep track -- road or middelmannetjie -- all the way to Stoekoe bridge but the upper parts were very eroded in places, with dongas, rocks and sand. Perhaps they have kept up with repairs and maintenance, but a mtb would be better. 

Ja last time I was there was before the big rains and some of the jeep track was properly sketchy - be interested to hear what it is like now

[Anthem24]

I see an Instagram video from November with a guy on a gravel bike, so parts are do-able.

[Jan D]

4 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Ja last time I was there was before the big rains and some of the jeep track was properly sketchy - be interested to hear what it is like now

 

2 minutes ago, Anthem24 said:

I see an Instagram video from November with a guy on a gravel bike, so parts are do-able.

Thanks both, I'm tempted to take the gravel bike and just have some hike-a-bike sections haha

[Black Line]

Hi @Jan D

I was out there end of December 2024. Stayed in Bettys Bay and cycled down to the Koegelberg MTB trail. Its roughly a 10km cycle from Bettys Bay, and then about 3km on a jeep track trail to the head office. I couldn't buy a permit at the head office because they don't allow cyclist / hikers / trail runners into the reserve after 4pm (I got there at 4:30pm). Reason being, The jeep track goes into shadow territory after 4pm. I would recommend you checking with them what the closing time is for other months of the year.

I was kind enough to accept that I couldn't go through, and didn't want to put the security guard in a difficult situation. As I left, security called me, and told me that I'm welcome to go through at my own risk. 

I did the trail for about 6km in before trusting my gut and turning around. It really does become gloomy when the sun sets behind the mountain. Nonetheless, its a stunning, calm, nothing hectic at all type of trail. I did it on a rigid mtb - totally doable. But, I can only speak for the first +- 6km of the trail. Its a "out there and back trail" - head towards the river crossing and turn back - that's what the security guard told me. 

Image of the jeep track and head office below.

Oh, Security was kind enough to tell me about the dangerous animals that live within the reserve when I came back from the trail.... LMAO

Edited February 5 by Black Line

[Jan D]

16 minutes ago, Black Line said:

Hi @Jan D

I was out there end of December 2024. Stayed in Bettys Bay and cycled down to the Koegelberg MTB trail. Its roughly a 10km cycle from Bettys Bay, and then about 3km on a jeep track trail to the head office. I couldn't buy a permit at the head office because they don't allow cyclist / hikers / trail runners into the reserve after 4pm (I got there at 4:30pm). Reason being, The jeep track goes into shadow territory after 4pm. I would recommend you checking with them what the closing time is for other months of the year.

I was kind enough to accept that I couldn't go through, and didn't want to put the security guard in a difficult situation. As I left, security called me, and told me that I'm welcome to go through at my own risk. 

I did the trail for about 6km in before trusting my gut and turning around. It really does become gloomy when the sun sets behind the mountain. Nonetheless, its a stunning, calm, nothing hectic at all type of trail. I did it on a rigid mtb - totally doable. But, I can only speak for the first +- 6km of the trail. Its a "out there and back trail" - head towards the river crossing and turn back - that's what the security guard told me. 

Image of the jeep track and head office below.

Oh, Security was kind enough to tell me about the dangerous animals that live within the reserve when I came back from the trail.... LMAO

Very helpful, thank you! We plan on going early morning and have the permits already, so I think I can stop worrying now 😆

[Mamil]

23 minutes ago, Jan D said:

Very helpful, thank you! We plan on going early morning and have the permits already, so I think I can stop worrying now 😆

Could you post a link to where you bought your permit online - can't seem to find it

[Jan D]

13 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Could you post a link to where you bought your permit online - can't seem to find it

It's a bit of a funky system; you need to go onto their booking platform: https://booking.capenature.co.za/

Then you choose the region (Overberg), after which you select the Kogelberg reserve and click "book now"

Then scroll down to Mountain Bike Activity, where you select the desired date, amount of people, and click "book". It'll then be in your basket and you can check out.

Seems like it gets full in advance so always a good idea to book online when possible.

 

Edited February 5 by Jan D