Plett’s MTB trails have always been enviable. We have the perfect blend of jeep and single track, indigenous forest, fynbos, valley, coastline, winelands and pine forest to make for exciting and varied trails. Plettenberg Bay is also the home the legendary Dr Evil (aka Leon Evans) who puts on a fantastic three-day Dr Evil Classic every year. For those looking for a scenic ride, a super workout or a challenging new trails, Plett has you covered. As an update, below are some of the highlights to look forward to in 2022.
NEW MTO – GARDEN ROUTE TRAILS PASS LAUNCHED
Extending from Knysna through to Witelsbos in the Tsitsikamma – and traversing Plettenberg Bay in interesting and surprising ways, a variety of routes are available through the MTO Trails Pass. The Garden Route trails boasts over 1000km of plantation jeep tracks and linking single track. So riders have the choice of various trail permit options (for single, multiple and annual passes). From Knysna, riders can head up to the Concordia contours section and enjoy the single track cut by local riders, or follow the routes alongside the magnificent Diepwalle Forest. Heading towards Plett, its always worthwhile taking a route through Kranshoek to the lookout point bordering the Harkerville section of the Garden Route National Park. Annual pass holders can continue onto Cairnbrogie Farm to enjoy their epic coastal trails. On the other side of town, crossing the Keurbooms River and heading onto the plantation above Whiskey Creek expect sublime surroundings. Further along the coast towards the Crags and the Tsitsikamma Mountains, riders can enjoy amazing plantation routes down Redford Road (yes, where the wine estates are ;)) Head on up to Spitzkop and relish the amazing views over the entire region. Carry on through to Natures valley and Bloukrans where the plantation runs along the coastal escarpment all the way through to Storms River. As you head through storms river, cross over to the Blueliliesbush Plantation up to the lookout back over the Storms River mouth – it’s unbelievable.
DR EVIL CLASSIC HAS REACHED NEW HIGHS
22 – 24 September 2022 – Since the recent inception of the MTO Trails Garden Route in 2021 – some world-class trail building has taken place in this already stunning cycling territory. This has been due to a very positive collaboration between MTO Trails – Garden Route and the team at Club 100. Due to a new partnership with Biogen, this trail-building initiative has become a reality. It just made sense that Dr Evil, aka Leon Evans and his business partner, Zandile Meneses, who own the Dr Evil Classic 3 Day Stage Race have joined forces with this project to market Plett. The stage race is pooling marketing resources with Plett Tourism, MTO Trails Garden Route and the Bayview Hotel to promote all that the town has to offer cyclists. The most recent build includes a 16km section of sublime single track in the Kranshoek area, bordering the Harkerville Forest and adjacent to Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm. The new single track and the existing Cairnbrogie single track along the coastline forms part of stage 3 of the Dr Evil Classic and takes this stage to new levels of rider bliss.
NEW SKY TRAILS LAUNCHED
For mountain bikers, there’s nothing more exciting than riding a freshly mapped MTB trail – thrilling twists and turns, surprising scenery and incredible surroundings and the new Sky Trails is one to try, located on the 500ha Sky Villa property. The wide range of trails has something for riders of all levels, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for a testing ride, a novice still finding your seat or if you just want to get the kids away from the screens and into the great outdoors.
KAROO TO COAST
25 September 2022 The Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge is a 100km off road race from UNIONDALE to KNYSNA via the Prince Alfred’s Pass. The route is scenic, challenging and riders are encouraged to train sufficiently for this event in order to maximise the enjoyment of the experience. All proceeds go to the Lions of Knysna and Uniondale. Only 4500 entries will be available for the 2022 event, with more than half the field being carried over from 2020/2021. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CAIRNBROGIE TRAILS
Cairnbrogie is blessed with a large area in which to develop MTB trails. Our aim is to provide intermediate skill riding for young riders. The learning of basic bike control skills will be a focus of the trails. Older more experienced riders can enjoy remarkable scenery on their way to the well know SANPARKS and Cape Pine MTB trails. Our kid friendly routes are the 1.3 km, a 2.6 km and a 4 km. The 11 km is not so kid friendly as it is long, but not difficult. It passes through some of the most spectacular scenery on the Garden Route.
Still not convinced to pack your bike when visiting Plettenberg Bay? Browse all mountain biking opportunities in Plettenberg Bay here.