Cape Town’s Best Hiking, Walking and Biking Trails
Make the most of Cape Town's great outdoors with these fantastic walking and biking trails, where you can really immerse yourself in the stunning surrounding landscapes.
Slackpacking is the new craze that lets you do the hike while your backpack and all the other things that make you feel like a pack mule are transported on your behalf to the next rest stop. Cooked meals can even be arranged at the end of a day's journey! Or perhaps a guide, to ensure you don't get lost or miss out on interesting things along the way! With slackpacking trails, ranging from two to six day treks, there's something for every hiker and biker!
HIKING TRAILS
The Table Mountain Trail
Cape Town
Spend up to six days exploring Table Mountain. Experience spectacular views over Table Bay, the Atlantic coastline, False Bay; all the way to Cape Point. You can go up the mountain with the cable car to catch a sunset and be one of the few people who can say they've watched a panoramic sunrise from 1085 metres above the city of Cape Town!
The Oystercatcher Trail
Garden Route, Mossel Bay to the Gourits River
This is possibly one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country as confirmed by the BBC and National Geographic! This 3 and a half day trail meanders along the coast where you can walk next to the ocean, snorkel, swim, scramble up tall sand dunes, amble across rocky shores, explore caves and gaze over magnificent cliffs.
Green Mountain Trail
In Grabouw, Elgin Valley
Trek through pristine shrub-covered landscapes, vines and poplar forests within the beautiful Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy stunning views over the vast Overberg region as you follow the leopard and ox wagon route. Take note of the amazing ox-wagon trails carved into the rock by early pioneers.
The Garden Route Trail
Garden Route, Wilderness National Park
This is a relaxed coastal walk through the Wilderness National Park and Goukamma Nature Reserve all the way to the edge of the Knysna Lagoon passing through incredibly diverse natural environments like forests, dunes, wetlands, rivers, beaches, rock pools and lagoons. You'll also get a chance to canoe along the way!
Wellington Wine Walk
Wellington Valley
This countryside trail stretches over 14 wine farms, as well as a number of olive groves. You can hike through indigenous vineyards and orchards, stopping along the way to sample some of the Cape's best wines, brandies, olives and cheeses. An excellent diversion!
BIKING TRAILS
Dirtopia Trail Centre
Near Stellenbosch
This is one of the Cape's premier single-track destinations with mountain bike trails for everyone, from families to advanced bikers. You can rent bikes and equipment here, let kids try the BMX track, while you try over 100 metres of elevated tracks.
Grading: Easy to Extreme
Boesmanskloof Trail
Greyton to McGregor
This 14km trail stretches from Greyton to McGregor through the spectacular Riviersonderend Mountains with their steep gorges, rock pools, waterfalls and beautiful Cape wildflowers. Look out for Protea as well as lots of animal and bird life. Jumping on your bike and hitting the open road is wonderful, but if you want to swap tarmac for rugged trails and hurtling down hills and winding tracks then the Western Cape has more than enough mountain bike trails to keep you happy.
Tokai Forest Route
Tokai, Cape Town
There are a variety of tracks to choose from through this lush and exciting forest of pine trees with all mountain bike routes starting with a climb and ending with a fantastic downhill.
Grading: Easy to Extreme
Majik Forest, Hillcrest and Meerendal
Durbanville, Cape Town
Maintained by the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club, these are beautiful bike trails that pass through forests and wine and olive estates. Meerendal is also a great circuit for beginners so pack up your bike and book your <a href="/links/?u=http://www.skyscanner.net/flights-to/cpt/cheap-flights-to-cape-town-airport.htmlflights to Cape Town!
Grading: Easy to Advanced
Oak Valley
In Grabouw, Elgin Valley
There are 3 marked mountain bike routes set against the slopes of the Groenlandberg Mountains: a 14km for the family; a 21km for stronger riders; and a 25km for more advanced riders. There are bridges over farm fences and streams while trails pass through forests of ancient oak trees, vineyards, apple and pear orchards and grass pastures. Expert mountain bikers describe this trail as first-class. Take their word for it!
Grading: Easy to Advanced
Contermanskloof
In Durbanville, Cape Town
Riding on this farm land is allowed between November and April. The mountain bike trails climb through a vineyard, out over rolling hills and past trees and a dam, with spectacular views.
Grading: Easy to Intermediate
Slackpacking is the new craze that lets you do the hike while your backpack and all the other things that make you feel like a pack mule are transported on your behalf to the next rest stop. Cooked meals can even be arranged at the end of a day's journey! Or perhaps a guide, to ensure you don't get lost or miss out on interesting things along the way! With slackpacking trails, ranging from two to six day treks, there's something for every hiker and biker!
HIKING TRAILS
The Table Mountain Trail
Cape Town
Spend up to six days exploring Table Mountain. Experience spectacular views over Table Bay, the Atlantic coastline, False Bay; all the way to Cape Point. You can go up the mountain with the cable car to catch a sunset and be one of the few people who can say they've watched a panoramic sunrise from 1085 metres above the city of Cape Town!
The Oystercatcher Trail
Garden Route, Mossel Bay to the Gourits River
This is possibly one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country as confirmed by the BBC and National Geographic! This 3 and a half day trail meanders along the coast where you can walk next to the ocean, snorkel, swim, scramble up tall sand dunes, amble across rocky shores, explore caves and gaze over magnificent cliffs.
Green Mountain Trail
In Grabouw, Elgin Valley
Trek through pristine shrub-covered landscapes, vines and poplar forests within the beautiful Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy stunning views over the vast Overberg region as you follow the leopard and ox wagon route. Take note of the amazing ox-wagon trails carved into the rock by early pioneers.
The Garden Route Trail
Garden Route, Wilderness National Park
This is a relaxed coastal walk through the Wilderness National Park and Goukamma Nature Reserve all the way to the edge of the Knysna Lagoon passing through incredibly diverse natural environments like forests, dunes, wetlands, rivers, beaches, rock pools and lagoons. You'll also get a chance to canoe along the way!
Wellington Wine Walk
Wellington Valley
This countryside trail stretches over 14 wine farms, as well as a number of olive groves. You can hike through indigenous vineyards and orchards, stopping along the way to sample some of the Cape's best wines, brandies, olives and cheeses. An excellent diversion!
BIKING TRAILS
Dirtopia Trail Centre
Near Stellenbosch
This is one of the Cape's premier single-track destinations with mountain bike trails for everyone, from families to advanced bikers. You can rent bikes and equipment here, let kids try the BMX track, while you try over 100 metres of elevated tracks.
Grading: Easy to Extreme
Boesmanskloof Trail
Greyton to McGregor
This 14km trail stretches from Greyton to McGregor through the spectacular Riviersonderend Mountains with their steep gorges, rock pools, waterfalls and beautiful Cape wildflowers. Look out for Protea as well as lots of animal and bird life. Jumping on your bike and hitting the open road is wonderful, but if you want to swap tarmac for rugged trails and hurtling down hills and winding tracks then the Western Cape has more than enough mountain bike trails to keep you happy.
Tokai Forest Route
Tokai, Cape Town
There are a variety of tracks to choose from through this lush and exciting forest of pine trees with all mountain bike routes starting with a climb and ending with a fantastic downhill.
Grading: Easy to Extreme
Majik Forest, Hillcrest and Meerendal
Durbanville, Cape Town
Maintained by the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club, these are beautiful bike trails that pass through forests and wine and olive estates. Meerendal is also a great circuit for beginners so pack up your bike and book your <a href="/links/?u=http://www.skyscanner.net/flights-to/cpt/cheap-flights-to-cape-town-airport.htmlflights to Cape Town!
Grading: Easy to Advanced
Oak Valley
In Grabouw, Elgin Valley
There are 3 marked mountain bike routes set against the slopes of the Groenlandberg Mountains: a 14km for the family; a 21km for stronger riders; and a 25km for more advanced riders. There are bridges over farm fences and streams while trails pass through forests of ancient oak trees, vineyards, apple and pear orchards and grass pastures. Expert mountain bikers describe this trail as first-class. Take their word for it!
Grading: Easy to Advanced
Contermanskloof
In Durbanville, Cape Town
Riding on this farm land is allowed between November and April. The mountain bike trails climb through a vineyard, out over rolling hills and past trees and a dam, with spectacular views.
Grading: Easy to Intermediate
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