The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) offers mountain-bike enthusiasts the ideal opportunity to explore a 130 km trail network of farm roads, jeep tracks, including 42 km of single tracks. While never too technical, there are challenging climbs and a variety of distances on offer for riders of all fitness and skills levels.
Trails run through a conservation area and game such as caracal, grysbok, grey duiker, porcupine, bat-eared foxes, cape foxes and otters still roam naturally in the Bottelary Hills, while more than 110 bird species are identified in the BHRC. To ensure the routes continue to offer exciting new mountain bike experiences to riders, R160 000 was invested in new trail developments this past year creating much needed local employment for Bottelary based trail building teams.
For spectacular views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountains and a steady climb, opt for the new single track section on Wolwedans from Neethlingshof Wine Estate with up to 405 m elevation amid sections of pristine Renosterveld. For those riders up for a more technical challenge, head to the new 7 km Fort Simon single track with a 100 m ascent and 360 ° views as you circle the hills. The Jordan route has been extended and now features a 1,2 km single track designed and built by Conrad Stoltz, former triathlon world champion. Riders can look forward to a flowy single track in natural terrain with unique granite dome rides that is suitable for all levels of riders.
With a growing number of junior and novice riders venture out on the trails, the BHRC has added interesting extensions to the Orange route that starts at Bellevue Wine Estate. This 20 km route runs mostly on jeep tracks and dam walls, but still offers stunning views of both Table Mountain and Stellenbosch Mountains with 277 m ascent.
An exciting addition to the BHRC trail network, is the 7 km Polkadraai loop that starts and finishes at Somm & Co at Karibib and gives access to the broader trail network. Shower facilities are available.
A bonus offering for 2022 BHRC annual permit holders, is free access to the new Polkadraai Bike Park. This family-oriented bike park is suitable for all levels of riders from two years with a kiddies track, pump track, skills trail, flow trail and fun line. (Day permits (R70) are available at the Zettler Strawberry Farm.
The BHRC is easily accessible to day and weekend visitors and offers a variety of activities that cater for families, nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts as well as food and wine connoisseurs.
Day permits for the Bottelary Hills Conservancy mountain bike trails (R70 payable with Zapper) are available from Asara Wine Estate, Bellevue Wine Estate, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate, Fort Simon Wine Estate, Hazendal Wine Estate, Jordan Wine Estate, Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Zevenwacht Wine Estate, Somms & Co. Karibib, Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad and Polkadraai Bike Park.
Annual permits available online www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za starting from R420 for under 18s, R525 for students and pensioners, R735 for main members and R630 for a spouse.
An active marshal group patrol the routes to ensure they are in good condition and to police rogue riding. Please note that riders accessing the trails without displaying a valid permit on their bicycles are trespassing on private property.
For more info visit www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za and follow us on social media @BottelaryHillsConservancyMTB on facebook and @bottelary_hills_conservancy on Instagram.
