MTB Trails, Cederberg Region
The Cederberg offers some wonderful rides, mostly on gravel roads and jeep tracks, with stunning scenery and some technical challenges and serious climbs, in this pristine, rugged and remote area.
There is not much traffic on the roads, so you can fully enjoy the environment. The starting points of most MTB routes offer camping or self-catering facilities, with other activities that can be enjoyed by the non-cyclists in the party.
The summers here can be brutal with temperatures of up to 40°C, so, the spring with its beautiful wild flowers, autumn and winter are most popular for cycling.
Wuppertal MTB Trail, Cederberg
A good starting point for this intermediate, 3-4 hour one-way trail, is the Cederberg Oasis Farm where Gerrit and Chantal Karsten will give you all the dope you need to do this and other cycle trails in their area. Cederberg Oasis is a backpackers establishment, with a restaurant, self-catering cottages and lovely campsites set in the awesome rugged Cederberg Mountains.
Remember, this trail is a one-way 40km ride, so decide if you will cycle back or get someone to fetch you from Wuppertal, worthy of a visit in its own right. As with most trails in this region, the routes are on gravel roads and jeep tracks. There is almost no traffic to speak of and no cell reception either. Summers get really hot and winters can bring on the snow.
Starting from the Oasis, cycle towards Matjiesrivier, and tackle the 2km uphill almost immediately. From Matjiesrivier, bear right and cycle 3km to Keurbosfontein. This is followed by 4 km of uphill along a 4×4 track until you reach the Voëlvlei turn-off to your left. The road flattens out again from here, with slow going towards Eselbank. After Eselbank, you will reach the extremely steep, exciting downhill pass to Wuppertal.
Telephone: 027 492 2819: Email Website
Bushman Paintings 27.5 km Circular Route
From Cederberg Oasis (an entrance fee must be paid at the Oasis for this route), follow the same route as above along the 2 km climb to Matjiesriver. After 1.8km, look out for a sharp left turn along a steep climb, followed by 3 km of level turf to the Truitjieskraal turn-off. It’s worth adding on an additional 3 km here for a quick return ride to the bushman rock art sites at Truitjieskraal. Continue on the rough gravel road, towards Kromriver where an extreme 4 km climb awaits you, rewarded with a welcome downhill , after which you turn right. Continue for 3.5km to the Stadsaal turnoff to the right. Again there is the option of a 6 km return ride to visit the Stadsaal rock painting sites and caves. From here, you’re looking at another 3 km to Matjiesriver, where you turn right and pedal the final 6 km back to Cederberg Oasis.Telephone: 027 492 2819.
From Citrusdal, take the N7 and after 27km take the Algeria turn off. Pass Algeria and continue to Matjiesrivier where you turn right and continue for 7km to Cederberg Oasis.
Algeria to Kromrivier
A moderate 62km ride, on public gravel roads, starting from the Algeria Forest Station takes you south to the Kromrivier resort, where you can relax and tank up on water. Ablutions and kiosk are at the Kromrivier Resort, but no cell phone reception on this route.
13kms after leaving Algeria, take a right where the road forks. If you do take a left by mistake, it will still come out on the correct road – it is just the long way round.
This rugged route passes amazing rock formations, so remember to take your camera.
Wolfberg Mountain Bike Trail
The Cederberg is famous for its fantastical rock formations and red sandstone that literally glows in the setting sun. The 7.5km to 12.5km Wolfberg Mountain Bike trail will let you experience this wonder of nature first hand. Though not long, the grading is moderate with some technical single track sections and the circular route will take 30 – 45 minutes. Maps and entry permits are available at the Dwarsrivier reception.
The trail leaves from Sanddrif, which is a great base for hiking, swimming in the pristine rock pools at Maalgat, rock climbing, rock art trails and just relaxing in the Cederberg Wilderness away from the hustle and bustle.
Take the jeep tracks through the Sanddrif campsite past the Sanddrif Cottages with a moderate climb through the Valley of the Red Gods – ride past here at sunset and you will think you are in heaven. The jeep track continues past the Wolfberg Cracks parking area, followed by a single track that links you to the banks of the Matjies River that will take you back to the Sanddrift Camp Site. Sanddrif Holiday Resort has secure parking, camping, self-catering chalets, showers and toilets.
Close to the Sanddrif campsite is the Lot’s wife MTB Trail which is 12.5km long. Permits and gate combinations are available at Dwars Rivier Reception.
From Cape Town, take the N7 turn-off on the N1 and, 27 km after Citrusdal, turn right at the Algeria/Cederberg sign. Continue past Algeria and over the Uitkyk Pass (second pass) – about 46 km of gravel road – until you reach Dwarsrivier, home of Cederberg Wines. Total distance from Cape Town: ±250 km; ±3 hours’ drive.
Tel: +27 27 482 2825: Email Website.
Keurbos Farm MTB Route
This easy to intermediate, stunningly beautiful 57km circular route along public gravel roads starts at Keurbos Farm and follows a secondary road past Rondegat Spruit towards the Clanwilliam Dam. At the T-junction, turn left, and follow the road along the Olifants River until you reach a crossroad where you once again turn left to Algeria, taking in the Kriedouw and Nieuwoudt Passes. It’s a hard climb up to Algeria, but the return to Keurbos is a long downhill. Expect to do the circuit in about 4 hours.
Keurbos Farm is a working citrus farm with additional tracks through the orchards. The farm offers 3 self-catering chalets, grassed campsites with electrical points, and 2 ablution blocks with hot showers. There are also two rock art sites on the farm. Situated only 15kms from Clanwilliam, for those who wish to eat out, purchase supplies or sightsee. There is no cell reception.
Jannie & Sarie Nieuwoudt: Telephone: 027 482 2610: GPS: 32°13′40.3″S 018°55′52.6″E
More info on the town of Clanwilliam | More info on the Cederberg Region area |
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