cycle routes

Sedgefield mtb routes

Harkerville mtb routes

6 Circular routes:

Wilderness-Knysna (108 km)

Woodville-Hoogekraal (46 km)

Hoekwil-Barrington (75,7 km)

Railway (17km )

Cloud nine (10 km)

Platbank (16,3)

The above all start and finish at Cycleworx in Sedgefield.  

The longest route is Sedgefield to Wilderness, Knysna and back to Sedgefield.  Should you decide to travel clockwise, the start is along the N2 to the Swartvlei turnoff.  A wide gravel road meanders along the banks of the Swartvlei, Rondevlei and Langvlei until it reaches Wilderness.  A longish steep climb out of Wilderness leads past the Map of Africa.  At the top of the hill you reach the old Knysna/George road.  Turn right and follow the road towards Karatara, Barrington and Rheenendal.  After about 40 km of gentle undulating gravel road interspersed with some tarmac road, turn towards Knysna down the Phantom Pass.  Return to Sedgefield along the N2.

Various shorter options can be taken.  Instead of going into Wilderness, turn right at Hoekwil and climb to the top to join the old Knysna/George road.  Similarly a shorter route can be followed by turning right at Rondevlei and then joining the old road at Woodville.  The return can also be changed to the Hoogekraal turnoff between Woodville and Karatara, or at Karatara, or even Barrington.

These routes can of course be done in any direction.

All the routes offer the cyclists lovely panoramic views of the Outeniqua Mountains down to the ocean, forest views and peaceful farmland.  A number of cafes are along the way for refreshments, while river crossings offer a chance for cooling down. 

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4 Circular routes:

Situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, Harkerville forest is ideal for recreational mountainbiking. All four start and finish at the Garden of Eden on the N2, where permits must be obtained. Alternative access roads are available, starting from the Forestry Office, Kranshoek Road Gate, or the Kranshoek Picnic Site. Permits may also be obtained at the Kranshoek Road Gate.

The Yellow Route (14 km):

The route follows gravelled service roads and is the only route open when other routes are closed due to wet soil conditions.

The Blue Route (12 km):

A section of 2½ kilometres along Beukespad, a forest slip-path, leads the rider through some typical medium-moist high forest. The return part of the loop passes by a small glade of coast redwood which were planted in 1927.

The Green Route (15 km):

The circuit follows the Grooteilandpad for several kilometres before turning eastwards into Waterpad. On Waterpad is a shady swimming hole which provides a pleasant stop-over. An alternative southward loop gives the cyclist an opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view of the rugged Harkerville coast.   The homeward leg of the route takes the rider northwards along Kleineilandpad, then turns westward into Perdekoppad, a delightful section of off-road track which passes through some tall, coastal forest with a number of the finest examples of hard pear.

The Red Route (24 km):

It can take between 3 to 5 hours to ride. This route is much tougher than the other routes and can be difficult for the not-so-fit rider. It is probably the most scenically diverse mountain-bike route in the country, its two outstanding features are the long stretches of off-road track, which follow old slip-paths through the forest and a section of track through the coastal fynbos near the cliff-line. 

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Diepwalle

Homtini

Petrus-se-Brand

This route is suitable for mountain bikers of average fitness and covers a distance of just over 24km.

The ride begins at the Diepwalle Forest Station office where you obtain your permit. It is a one-way route from north to south – Diepwalle to Garden of Eden.

The routes starting at Diepwalle descends a few kms down the Uniondale road. It breaks away to the left at 2.8km. Keep a sharp look out for the marker on the left. The track now follows the contoured bed of the old narrow-gauge forest railway which used to run from Ysterhoutrug to Knysna. The route turns left into the petrusbrandpad and begins to descend to the Petrusbrand River. One climbs from the stream, winding toward Petrusbrand eiland.  Passing through more moist and medium-moist high forest, one breaks out into fynbos of Kleineiland (“small island”) – a island of Cape Fynbos surrounded by indigenous forest. The route descends to the Kleineiland River valley. This is the lowest point of the route and the start of a fairly severe climb over 4km.  The last section of route, through the forest on an old timber slip-path, is the most exciting. It winds down to Garden of Eden, offering some fast single-track. The alternative route follows the Fisanthoek road to the N2 (see map).  The route is open from dawn to dusk. Do not start your ride after 14:00 in winter or 15:00 in summer.  You are not allowed to leave the marked trail.

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The Homtini Trail, a circular route of 19 km,  starts near the Goudveld Forest station. Heading from Knysna towards George on the N2 take the Rheenendal turn-off to the right after about 8km. Follow this road for about 13km and turn right at the Homtini/Millwood signs. At the Goudveld boom you pay for your permit and reach the Krisjan-se-nek picnic site where the trail starts. From here you follow the Millwood Road until you turn right about 400m from the start. After the steep 4 km hill you are rewarded with a panoramic view over the surrounding area with the Knysna Heads forming a distant backdrop.  From here the going is easy, finishing in some exhilarating single-track on Boer-se-pad.

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Knysna mtb routes

Knysna oyster route

This route is through private SAFCOL plantation and encompasses most of the popular Woodcutters MTB Race (in April) and the Pick n Pay Rotary Knysna Cycle Race (in July).  Permits must be purchased beforehand at Knysna Cycle Works at a fee of R8.00.  The route is 3km long and starts at the Concordia Training Centre. An additional loop of 6km starting at point 6 follows a section of single track along the old water furrow. This is very technical and potentially dangerous. It is only recommended for the experienced MTB rider. Do not ride alone and exert extreme caution. Find beforehand whether the section is rideable or not.  The route is open from dawn to dusk. Do not start riding after 15h00 in winter or 16h00 in summer.  Please remember that you are riding in a working plantation. Respect warning signs and keep clear of any operations or machinery. Remain alert at all times for other vehicles and timber trucks. Do not depart from the marked route.

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Poison spider

A fast 1½ hour ride.  From Knysna, up the 'dump' road on dirt track, through Concordia to Kruisfontein Forest. Single track jeep track and log roads. Great views over Knysna. On the way home, you'll hit a technical single downhill track - (not for the faint-hearted!)

LOERIE

OLIVE THRUSH

BLUE SWALLOW

CAPE ROBIN

Length (km)

18.8

2.5

26.5

37.9

Elevation

165-370

210-615

165-630

165-620

Topography

Gently undulating with several medium hills, short steep climb out of Karatara River crossing

One small uphill, fast down followed by a longish steep uphill and fast undulating return

One longish gentle uphill and undulating return

Two long hills

Trail type

Jeep track, main logging road

Main logging road, narrow forest jeep track

7-Passes Road, jeep track and narrow forest track

7-Passes Road, jeep track and narrow forest track

Surface

Smooth and rough gravel

Smooth and rough gravel, muddy after rain (19-12 km)

Smooth and rough to very rough gravel, excessive forest litter in places, some roots

Smooth and rough to very rough gravel, excessive forest litter in places, some roots, rutting in places

Technical level

Basic:  braking, gear shifting, ascend/descend moderate inclines, avoid/negotiate minor obstacles

Feathered braking, gear shifting on-the-fly while descending/ascending moderate inclines, loose surfaces, negotiate moderate obstacles (drops of <25cm)

Feathered braking, gear shifting on-the-fly while descending/ascending moderate inclines, loose surfaces, negotiate moderate obstacles (drops of <30cm)

Feathered braking, gear shifting on-the-fly while descending/ascending moderate inclines, loose surfaces, negotiate moderate obstacles (drops of <30cm)

Physical exertion level

Low to moderate

Moderate to high

High

High

Time (hours)

2-3

3-4

4½-5½

5-6

Rating

1=easy

10=extreme

3.5

Novice

6

Intermediate

6

Intermediate

6.5

Intermediate