Closest Town: Sedgefield
Grading: Easy to Intermediate
Duration: Depends on the Route chosen: 1 - 5 hours
Location (Area/Province): Garden Route
Configuration: Green Route: 7km Yellow Route: 20km Blue Route: 25km
Start Point: Farleigh Office
Access: Obtain a permit from either of the offices listed
Beware of: Fallen trees
Facilities: Ablution facilities at start; fairly secure parking.
Cell Reception: Intermittent
OVERVIEW
Along the South Coast of South Africa lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, home to the Garden Route National Park. The Park has lauched some mountain bike routes in the park.
On your bike
The route consist of three options:
Green (7km): This route is ideal for beginners and families. The route will give you a taste of the forest MTB.
Yellow (20km): This route offers some more moderate climbs than the green route and awesome views for those improving their mileage and technical ability.
Blue (25km): This route is well marked (except for one sign that fell over) and the scenery is well worth the hard work. The blue route first follows a general downwards direction and then the unavoidable opposite. Mostly the climbing is not too bad, but some places have teeth. (Nothing that should deter slightly fit legs.) The last third of the route is once again generally level(ish).
You get a permit from the office (33°53’26.22”S, 22°52’34.84”E) and park at a designated parking area for cyclists and hikers (33°53’37.53”S, 22°52’35.17”E). Here you will find maps of the area and the routes on big display boards so even when going in without information you should be all right.
For further info visit the website.
Off the bike
Hike the forest trails, bring your binoculars and go for trogons and touracos, or pack a picnic basket to drink in the deep-forest surround sound. The Rheenendal Ramble takes you to the artists and crafters in the area, while the coastal town of Knysna will entice you with a range of action and leisure activities. Restaurants, farm stalls, art galleries, craft outlets, delis and cafés range from the quirky and quaint to drop-dead elegant.
For those that like to braai in summer and enjoy a fireplace in winter it is worth noting that the mill (100m past the Sanparks office) sells wood at R2.50 a bag. It is only for personal use and not for resale so don’t pitch with a truck. This trail is a must to do when you are in the area.
CONTACT:
Permits optainable from:
Farleigh Office Tel: (044) 356 9021
Thesen Island Office Tel: (044) 302 5600
Goudveld Entrace Tel: (044) 356 9021
Website: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/tourism/activities/mountain_bikes.php#green
GPS: 33°53’37.0” South / 22°52’35.0” East
Garden Route National Park – Farleigh MTB Routes on Trailforks.com
