Trails
In our backyardOn MTB trails around Knysna we are spoilt for choice. Next to rivers and lagoons, through lush forests, over magnificent mountains, past waterfalls and awesome coastline. We have it all. A bicycle can take you on a journey out of your everyday. Let your mind wander as you ride under green giants and through beautiful “fynbos” (a distinctive type of vegetation found only on the southern tip of Africa. It includes a very wide range of plant species, particularly small heather-like trees and shrubs.) In the forest of Knysna amid the mass of flora and giant trees keep an eye open for various antelope species that roam the forests during the day. Some of the tall yellowwood trees in the area are believed to be around 800 years old. Other prominent tree species include stinkwood and the pink-flowered Cape chestnut.
Find adventure and escape in the forest . You never know what you will find on a Knysna MTB trail !
During the 19th century, the Knysna forest was home to hundreds of elephants. However, these were hunted to near extinction.
Nevertheless, it is still believed that a few isolated individuals may still roam these dense forests.
There are many wonderful MTB trails and interesting sites to discover. your own bike or HIRE one from us. Take yourself on one of the well marked trails or let us take you and show you around
We offer transport to and from trails for groups or individuals.
PLEASE PRE-BOOK . Sanparks trail fees are excluded
A shared journey makes it all the more exciting – whether with friends or family. Furthermore ,each experience on our MTB trails in Knysna is different and special. What’s more is that it can be a time to sort out the worlds problems with your best buds or share the joy of cycling with your child for the first time.
Adventure in Knysna
Escape to Knysna and have an adventure.
Take a tour.
Ride with a local. Join a women’s outride or tag along with the junior academy.
In Knysna adventure is on your doorstep. From the trails in the mountains and forests to the paths around the lagoon. Get lost in the lush forests. Conquer the majestic mountains. Have an adventure. Or just idle around the lagoon and town for a relaxing cruise. There is nothing more worthwhile than discovering the area and yourself than on a bicycle. For adventures , training or merely soul searching – spend a day or a weekend in our beautiful forests. Ride with a local : Join Jacques at Knysna Cycle Works for the ride of a lifetime.
Find adventure in the new places and trails you discover while you are in Knysna. Cycle to the beach or grab a bite to eat at restaurants at The Heads or Leisure Isle. Find picnic sites next to the river or have a break under the massive Redwoods in Harkerville.
Women’s rides : Most Fridays at 8am .Enquire Altha 0712777325
Junior academy rides : Most Wednesdays at 4pm . Enquire Jacques 0833277202
“If you are always racing to the next moment ,what happens to the one you’re in ?
Enjoy the ride .”
Riding with the Family
What do you think of when you picture riding with your entire family? The family bliss, fresh air, all cruising along together happy and smiling. The reality is, as I found out is that while there may be moments like these, there will also be moaning and...
FOR INFO ON THE SANPARKS TRAILS :
CLICK FOR TRAIL INFO
Hire a Bike in the Gardenroute
Nothing as wonderful as experiencing our surroundings on a bike – the cool forests with the ‘kok-kok-kok’ of the Knysna Loerie (Turaco) . If you are lucky you will see the red flash of wings and spot a Loerie in flight through the trees ! The single track and the vistas will excite you.
We will hire you a bike for you and your family . You can also join us , accompanied on an outride on our local trails in Knysna. We would love to cycle with you !
Send us an email to enquire today .
Red Route
- Route: Breathtaking views of the area, including the Harkerville coastline. Ride through pristine indigenous forest, sections of fynbos and plantations.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks, exciting and long sections single track, and logging roads.
- Surface: Smooth to rough gravel. Dirt tracks. Muddy after rains. Tree roots across track.
- Technical: Feathered braking, gear shifting on the fly while descending, moderate to steep inclines and declines. Bumpy surfaces. Negotiate moderate to rough obstacles.
- Exertion: High.
- Distance: 22 km
- Route Duration: Approximately 3 – 5 hours
Green Route
- Route: Beautiful views. Ride through pristine indigenous forest, small sections of fynbos and plantations.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks, exciting single track, and logging roads.
- Surface: Smooth to rough gravel. Dirt tracks. Muddy after rains. Tree roots across track.
- Technical: : Mostly an easy non-technical ride however the single track section does include technical sections.
- Exertion: Moderate (high when wet).
- Distance: 14 km
Blue Route
- Route: Beautiful views. Ride through indigenous forest, small sections of fynbos and plantations.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks, single track and logging roads.
- Surface: Smooth to rough gravel. Dirt tracks. Muddy after rains. Tree roots across track.
- Technical: Easy non-technical ride.
- Exertion: Easy to moderate.
- Distance: 11 km
Cycle permits are extra over and above transport and tour fees and payable in cash at the trail offices
Yellow Route
- Route: Beautiful views. Ride through indigenous forest, small sections of fynbos and plantations.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks and logging roads.
- Surface: Smooth to rough gravel. Muddy after rains.
- Technical: Basic riding.
- Exertion: Easy (moderate when wet).
- Distance: 13 km
Petrus-se-Brand Cycle Route -Diepwalle to Harkerville
- Route: Beautiful views. Ride through pristine indigenous forest, small sections of fynbos and plantations. Low water bridge crossings.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks, single track and logging roads.
- Surface: Smooth to rough gravel. Dirt tracks. Muddy after rains. Tree roots across track.
- Technical: : Feathered braking, gear shifting on the fly while descending, moderate to steep inclines and declines. Bumpy surfaces. Negotiate moderate obstacles.
- Exertion:Moderate (high when wet).
- Distance: 22.4 km
- Route Duration: Approximately 2 – 3 hours
Homtini Mountain Bike Route
- Route: Most of the trail follows fairly easy contours in the indigenous forest and plantation. It is enhanced by winding single-track slip-paths, shady plantation and indigenous forest roads offering a regular bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. It is a moderate ride with the exception of a steep 4km climb. A quality ride not requiring advanced technical skills.
- Trail Type: Jeep tracks and logging roads, single track.
- Surface: Dirt tracks. Tree roots across track. Smooth to very rough gravel in places. Muddy after rain.
- Technical: Mostly non-technical with some feathered braking, gear shifting on the fly while descending, bumpy surfaces, negotiate moderate obstacles.
- Exertion: Moderate – high (4km climb).
- Distance: 19 km
- Route Duration: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Graspad
Graspad is a newly launched 12 kilometer cycling route. It joins up to all popular Harkerville mountain biking routes. Cyclists will ride through the species-rich indigenous Knysna forest with a backdrop of the ocean.
GPS Coordinates for Kranshoek (where the route begins): 34°05′28″S; 23°18′23″E.
Other activities in Kranshoek: Picnic spots, the waterfall, dolphin and whale watching and the Kranshoek hiking trail. Follow black & white marked bicycle signs from the Kranshoek gate.
Gold nugget route
5km, 7,5km and 10km trails starting from Mother Holly’s at Millwood .The gold nugget targets junior riders as well as beginners. It’s scenic and beautiful set in the middle of the forest with ocean backdrops and fynbos. Goudveld is an old mining town in the middle of the forest.
or let us show you all our wonderful local trails – we’ll ride with you and show you our backyard .
FOR OTHER ADVENTURES AND ACCOMMODATION :
www.gardenroute.co.za
your accomodation and adventure guide
www.knysna.org
attractions in the area
