Our Top Mountain Bike Trails in Cape Town
Riding Amongst the Vineyards, Mountains and Fynbos
Few cities in the world offer mountain biking quite like Cape Town. With the ocean on one side and mountains on the other, riders have access to some of the most scenic trails in South Africa. From flowing routes through vineyards to challenging climbs with sweeping views, the variety is endless. If you are planning your next ride, these Cape Town mountain bike trails should be firmly on your radar.
Explore more of Cape Town via our Cape Town City Guide.
Advertisement
1. Majik Forest
Majik Forest, located in Durbanville, offers a network of jeep track climbs, flowing singletrack descents and technical sections with jumps and berms. The trails are free to access and popular for both trail running and mountain biking, with routes suitable for beginners through to experienced riders. Early mornings and late afternoons are the most popular riding times.
Why #HelloRecommends: Majik Forest is one of the best free trail networks in Cape Town and offers incredible views over the northern suburbs, making it perfect for quick rides with rewarding descents.
2. Silvermine Reserve
Silvermine forms part of Table Mountain National Park and offers scenic gravel roads and jeep track routes rather than technical singletrack, making it ideal for scenic rides and moderate climbs. A conservation fee is required for entry, and riders can expect spectacular views over False Bay, fynbos landscapes and dam areas.
Why #HelloRecommends: Few rides in South Africa match the scenery at Silvermine — it’s more about the views and the experience than technical riding, making it a must-do Cape Town ride.
3. Boschendal Trail Centre
Boschendal Trails offer a large network of professionally built mountain bike trails through vineyards, orchards and mountain terrain, with routes ranging from easy family rides to technical climbs and descents. Permits are required and available online or on the farm, and there are excellent restaurant and picnic facilities on the estate.
Why #HelloRecommends: Riding through vineyards with mountain views and finishing with wine or lunch on the farm makes Boschendal one of the most scenic and enjoyable trail experiences in the Cape Winelands.
Advertisement
4. Tokai MTB Trails
Tokai is one of Cape Town’s most popular mountain biking areas, known for its climbing routes and world-class singletrack descents with berms, rock gardens and technical sections. A permit is required to ride the trails, and the network caters mainly to intermediate and advanced riders.
Why #HelloRecommends: Tokai is considered one of the best mountain biking trail systems in South Africa, especially for riders looking for proper singletrack descents and technical riding.
5. Meerendal MTB Trails
Meerendal Wine Estate offers a large network of marked mountain bike trails through vineyards, hills and singletrack sections, with routes ranging from easy farm roads to challenging climbs and technical trails. Trail permits are required, and the estate has restaurants, wine tasting and facilities for riders.
Why #HelloRecommends: Meerendal combines excellent trail riding with wine estate scenery, making it one of the most popular and well-rounded mountain biking destinations in Cape Town.
Advertisement
For more Sports & Fitness inspiration, click here.
Read our digital magazine.
Follow us on Instagram.
You May Also Enjoy These Related Articles
