Cape Town truly has it all from the most amazing mountains and ocean views to a busy city and stunning coastal communities. There is always something new to discover and you can experience it all from the saddle of a bike. Mountain biking in Cape Town offers more than just an exhilarating ride, it connects you to the landscapes from forests to mountain paths. Each of these biking trails truly shows Cape Town’s natural beauty and the most adventurous paths.
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The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Tokai Forest 🌲
Tokai Forest, located in Table Mountain National Park, is arguably one of the most famous mountain biking spots in Cape Town. The variety is endless, with numerous trails offering a thrilling experience for all ages and skill levels. The trails wind through towering pine, gum, and eucalyptus trees giving bikers cool shaded areas to breathe in the cosy forest. Tokai Forest has many vantage points rewarding bikers with views of Constantia and Table Mountain after a long ride.
The trail network features everything from smooth and flowing singletracks to steep and tricky descents, making it the perfect spot for bikers to challenge themselves or enjoy a serene ride through nature. For experienced mountain bikers, the Black Route has exciting steep climbs and sharp downhills. Tokai Forest is best for those who want to hike, rock climb, and even horse ride. This forest is an escape into nature with trails highlighting Cape Town’s rugged beauty and the most amazinf viewpoints.
Address: Tokai Rd, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966
Website:https://tokaipark.com/
Meerendal Wine Estate ☁️
The Meerendal Wine Estate is a beautiful mountain biking spot near Durbanville. Meerendal offers three main interconnected trails—Yellow(5km), Red(12km), and Blue (18km)—each ranging in difficulty and designed for the whole family! Bikers can enjoy the blend of vineyard landscapes and rolling hills while winding up the slopes of Dorst Berg (Thirsty Mountain). The trails use the land’s natural contours, giving riders less difficult climbs and rocky descents.
A popular ascent for experienced mountain bikers, known as the Stairway to Heaven, is a long route to test your balance and leg power with specially constructed switchbacks. For those who ride to take in Cape Town’s iconic views, an additional blue route stretching to the peak of Dorst Berg gives you an astonishing 360-degree panorama of the Cape. The descent from this vantage point is a thrilling 2km long single track. The Meerendal Wine Estate’s restaurants and wine-tasting cellar also offer a serene spot to relax after a ride, ideal for sundowners or a bite to eat!
Entry Fee: R30
Address: Vissershok Rd, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550
Website: https://meerendal.co.za/
Contact Number: 021975 1655
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve 🌿
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a top destination for mountain biking in the Cape. Located near Stellenbosch, the reserve attracts bikers from all over Cape Town because of its network of trails. Jonkershoek offers trails suitable for intermediate riders to absolute experts with steep climbs, technical descents and rocky sections. There are 3 trailheads, Saaltjie, The Point and Quarry.
The thrill aside, the reserve has beautiful scenery with dense fynbos and calming river valleys; you may be able to spot some baboons or klipspringers (They are quite shy though and can be difficult to spot). You can take the Circle Loop trail, an easier 10k loop, around the valley floor–it’s great for beginners—to take in the view! There are advanced trails for the adrenaline-seekers, like Armageddon and The Plumber, with technical drops and sharp turns. With an expansive range of landscapes and trail choices, you will surely find your best ride here!
Entry: R110
(Please note, this includes the entry fee and the MTB day pass as separate entities manage them. They do not take cash payments, but can be purchased online)
Website: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
Contact Number: 021 866 1560
Silvermine Nature Reserve 🏞️
In the centre of Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine is a picturesque nature reserve filled with dense fynbos and many outdoor activities. The reserve has multiple routes designed and managed to preserve the surrounding flora. The Silvermine Dam loop is popular for beginners and intermediates who want a steady and manageable trail. It is a 9.4km trail following a jeep track towards the Elephant’s Eye cave, granting bikers a rewarding and remarkable view of False Bay and the Atlantic.
The Silvermine Tokai route is the most iconic for local mountain bikers, beginning at Silvermine’s Gate 2 entrance, riders take the Ou Wapad trail until it intersects with routes in Tokai Forest. The route is well known for its loose gravel sections and steep climbs, demanding endurance and skill from its riders. Silvermine offers something for everyone, and once you’re done you can take a serene stroll at the dam’s boardwalk or hike to see the reserve’s well-known waterfall.
Address: Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine, Cape Town, 7975
Entry: R50
Website: Silvermine Nature Reserve
Contact Number: 021 780 9002
Bottelary Hills Conservancy ⛰️
Located northwest of Stellenbosch, Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy strives to preserve the beauty and safety of the area’s natural flora and fauna. It is an important mountain biking location known for its rolling hillsides with jeep tracks and numerous singletracks. The view while riding is gorgeous, with expansive vineyards, farmlands, and conservation areas. The mountain biking trails are a 60km network of six different routes varying in skill levels and distances.
The Green and Blue trails offer mild climbs along a smooth singletrack with some gradual switchbacks making them ideal for enjoying the scenery or for beginner bikers. The Red and Black trails offer more adrenaline-spiking rides for experienced bikers with their technical descents and rocky terrain. The Winery to Winery trails are a beautiful feature of the conservatory, Cape Town is known for their gorgeous vineyards and these trails allow you to immerse yourself in its natural beauty.
Bottelary Hills Conservatory, Opening Hours: 6 am to 7 pm in October to March and 7 am to 6 pm in April to September
Address: Bottelary Hills Conservancy, Corner of M23 & R304 Devon Place, Stellenbosch
Entry: R50
Website: https://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/
Contact Number: 021 780 9002
Oak Valley Estate 🌳
Situated in Elgin, 1 hour from Cape Town’s city centre, Oak Valley Estate has prime mountain biking terrain and cool climates offering perfect conditions for all riders. It provides an adventure in gorgeous natural scenery with its forests of ancient oaks, grass pastures, expansive vineyards and fruit orchards. With showers and bike-washing amenities, it is a definite must-visit on your MTB itinerary. The short blue route (14km) and the longer red route (24km) are the main two trails extending over the property.
The estates’ moderate trails provide manageable climbs and smooth flow sections and the more experienced riders will delight in the rugged trails and steep climbs. Even for those with no experience, the green route offers a short 5km loop for families who want to sink into the view. Beyond biking, The Pool Room is the perfect place to relax after a long ride with a pasture-to-plate restaurant. Oak Valley is the place to be for mountain bikers to bask in nature, adventure and relaxation.
Oak Valley Estate, Opening Hours: 365 days during daylight hours only
Address: 127 Oak Ave, Grabouw, Elgin, 7180
Entry: R70
Website: https://oakvalley.co.za/
Contact Number: 021 859 2510
Contermanskloof Farm☀️
Contermanskloof Farm is a gem for mountain biking situated in the heart of Tygerberg, Durbanville. The trails journey through vineyards and farmlands offering an authentic rural experience. Contermanskloof’s rustic charm doesn’t end at its beautiful trails; its quaint coffee shop, The Dairy Shed, offers a great place to recharge and enjoy the ambience. The coffee shop is frequented by mountain bikers and is known to be the entry point to Contermanskloof’s MTB trails.
The main 15km loop is popular amongst intermediate and advanced riders with technical single tracks and exhilarating downhill sections. There are picnic spots and many closeby activities such as wine tasting in the Durbanville Wine Valley, rock climbing at the Durbanville Quarry and the Tygerberg Nature Reserve! Contermanskloof is a memorable spot for mountain bikers and explorers looking to explore Cape Town’s countryside.
Address: Contermanskloof Farm, Contermanskloof Road, Durbanville, 7550
Entry: R70
Contact Number: 021 972 1884
Rhebokskloof Wine Estate🌻
Located in the Paarl Valley, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate offers a mountain bikers paradise. The Paarl Adventure Trails organisation custom-built Rhebokskloof’s trails interlinking with their own 200km network around Paarl Mountain. From rolling hills to serene water bodies, the estate provides breathtaking views of the rugged mountainous surroundings.
The trails are designed to cater to all skill levels ranging from their family-friendly 3km route to a more demanding 35km trail. Both trails meander through their unique Wineland landscape. Bikers can expect well-maintained and marked single tracks with challenging ascents and descents. This estate also provides a wonderful restaurant offering French-inspired South African dishes as well as their own pizzeria. Rhebokskloof is a perfect spot for those looking to experience the beauty of the Western Cape and Paarl’s beauty and adventure.
Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Opening Hours: 6 am to 6 pm
Address: 8 Noord Agter, Paarl Rd, Windmeul, Paarl, 7464
Entry: R80
Website: https://www.rhebokskloof.co.za/
Contact Number: 076 022 5141 / 021 869 8386
Majik Forest 🍁
Tucked away in Durbanville, Majik Forest is a lesser-known gem for mountain bikers featuring a mix of challenging trails and scenic views of the Tygerberg Hills. While the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club maintains these forest trails, it is predominantly known as a free public park for all outdoor activities, from hiking and nature walks to bird-watching. The MTB trails are 11.63km of predominantly single track that winds through open terrain and shaded sections.
The area connects to the wider Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club’s trail network. Majik’s trails, however, are more inclined to intermediate to advanced riders. There are rocky patches, root-strewn areas, and tight switchbacks. There is not a lot of signage (as it is a public park) so be careful of other cyclists. Majik Forest is the spot for those looking for a slightly secluded and adventurous atmosphere!
Address: Jip De Jager Dr, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550
Entry: Free (Optional membership fee for access to extended Tygerberg MTB Club trails)
Website: https://www.tygerbergmtb.co.za/
Contact Number: 082 334 7035
Cape Town’s mountain biking scene provides immeasurable options with diverse trails showcasing the natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula from winelands to forests. These destinations allow riders to discover new landscapes and experience Cape Town’s mountains whilst honing their skills or enjoying a relaxing cycle. The mountain biking community is expansive, offering visitors numerous nearby attractions (like wine estates, lush picnic spots and rustic cafes) as a perfect place to unwind after a ride. No matter where you choose to ride, mountain biking in Cape Town promises both thrill and tranquillity!
