BIKING TRAILS
If you love cycling, explore the area around Aardmore Greens on two wheels, one of the best ways to experience it!
You get to feel, see, smell and hear everything, putting you in touch with the sights and sounds of the forests and coast on a variety of magnificent trails.
The Garden Route is one of the most popular mountain bike holiday destinations in South Africa and offers unlimited opportunities for adventure.
Tsitsikamma Storms River Biking Trail is a spectacular ride on a good gravel road, ranging between 22 - 55km and circles through the indigenous forest in the Tsitsikamma National Park and along the Storms River Pass.
From the steep 5 km descent to the Storms River follows a climb onto the coastal bluff but then the gradient levels out onto the plateau.
Don't miss the viewpoint overlooking Storms River Mouth and the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The
Petrus-se-Brand one-way mountain bike trail is 24km long through the Diepwalle Forests and ends at the Garden of Eden between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
The route is absolutely beautiful with the startling contrast between riding through the the forest for 10km and then suddenly out into the open.
Kleineiland is a perfect resting point and if you're riding on a clear day, the view over the Tsitsikamma Mountains and Plettenberg Bay in the distance is truly spectacular.
The
Homtini Mountain Biking Trail is an exhilarating 19km circular ride through the tranquil Homtini Forest and plantations, starting at Krisjan-se-nek picnic site.
After the steep 4 km hill you are rewarded with a panoramic view of both the forested slopes and the dramatic river gorge, with the Knysna Heads forming a distant backdrop. From here the going is easy, finishing in an exhilarating single-track on Boer-se-pad.
Misty Mountain Reserve has four mountain bike trails to suit every type of cyclist from an easy 8.7km to a challenging 65km with breathtaking scenery, diverse conditions and technical sections for those who are really enthusiastic about mountain biking.
Varying terrain, from flat gravel roads to bumpy, twisty jeep tracks and generally not technical at all, so it is a perfect trail for the cyclist wanting to try out some dirt riding and take in some absolutely amazing views.
The
Harkerville Cycle Routes through Harkerville forest has relatively easy gradients and the diversity of the rides offers some of the finest cycling in the Southern Cape.
Between 14 and 24km, the routes follow graveled service roads, a forest slip path, a section of track through the coastal fynbos near the clilff-line and on Waterpad is a shady swimming hole that provides a pleasant stopover.
An alternative southward loop gives the cyclist an opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view of the rugged Harkerville coast and along Kleineiland pad, a delightful section of offroad track which passes through some tall coastal forest.
The
Sedgefield Mountain Bike Routes comprises of six circular routes.
The longest route is Sedgefield to Wilderness, Knysna and back, but various shorter options can be taken.
All the routes offer the cyclists lovely panoramic views of the Outeniqua Mountains down to the ocean, forest views and peaceful farmland.
There are a number of cafes are along the way for refreshments while river crossings offer a chance for cooling down.
Plaatbos Cycle Route is situated in the Storms River Village amid indigenous forest and can be completed in 3 to 4 hours and in summer you can have a refreshing swim in the Storms river.
Changes in weather conditions and damage by other users may result in increased difficulties and be prepared to carry your bicycle over sections.
The 22km
Marine Drive/Bloukrans Forest Station Cycle Route starts from Storms River Village, runs through the old Storms River Pass, passing the low water bridge over the Storms River, all the way to the viewpoint of the Tsitsikamma National Park over Storms River Mouth.
From there on you can cycle the same road back, or you could walk down with your bike towards the suspension bridge and exit through the rest camp, returning to Storms River Village over the N2.
Robbehoek Tours and Trailsis Tsitsikamma's ultimate trail and tour destination in a forest area of spectacular beauty.
The mountain biking trails are professionally laid out by Robbie Powell in line with international standards and has more than enough hair raising routes to satisfy the adventurous.
Bikes are available for hire.
Outeniqua Biking Trails' day tours are planned with George or Wilderness as departure point and any one of, or a combination of, these tours can comfortably be incorporated into your tour itinerary of the Garden Route.
The Tsitsikamma or Storms River mouth are the perfect tours to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery the Garden Route offers - lovely beaches, magnificent passes, and the spectacle of Storms River Mouth to complete the day!
The
Wittedrift Nature Trail takes you biking along the Bitou River banks.
Bird life is vibrant and attracted to the interesting geology and wetlands of the Bitou River and you could easily find yourself staring at a Fish Eagle circulating above you, looking for food.
The
Knysna Oyster Route Bike Trail runs through a private SAFCOL plantation and encompasses most of the popular Woodcutters Mountain Bike Race and the Pick n Pay Rotary Knysna Cycle Race.
The route is 3km long and starts at the Concordia Training Centre with an additional loop of 6km following a section of single track along the old water furrow.
This is very technical and potentially dangerous and is only recommended for the experienced mountain bike rider.
From R700 per cottage per night.
Aardmore Greens is situated between the coastal towns of Plettenberg Bay and Kynsna on the scenic Garden Route of the Western and approximately an hour's drive from George [± 90km, national Airport], two and a half hours from Port Elizabeth [± 230km, national Airport] and five and a half hours from Cape Town [± 500km, international Airport) necessitating either a car rental or road transfer.
9km from Plettenberg Bay [approx. 400 m after THE POTTER, at Strombolis, turn left] and 20km from Knysna [approx. 1km after the Wolf Sanctuary, at Strombolis, turn right] off the N2. Because we are an insider tip, we have no sign at the N2. Follow the Hunters Tsala Treetop Lodge and Bekaru signboards, and 50m from the turn-off you will see the Aardmore Greens entrance.
There are scheduled flights daily to George and Port Elizabeth from all main centres in South Africa. Alternatively, charter flights to nearby Plettenberg Bay Airport are available.
GPS Co-ordinates of the turn–off the N2: S 34° 02' 39.5'' E 23° 15' 55.9''
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