About
Bottelary Hills MTB Trails were opened by the Bottelary Hills Conservancy in April 2011 and allow controlled access to the conservancy via dedicated, well marked routes. The rolling hillsides feature vineyards, farmland, conservation areas and trails comprised of farm roads, jeeptracks and numerous singletracks. While never too technical there are challenging climbs and a variety of distances on offer for riders of all fitness levels. A Mediterranean climate prevails providing cold wet winters and hot dry summers.
The trails are situated on private working wine farms. Only annual or day permit holders are allowed access to the trails and bike boards must be displayed on handle bars at all times. You can ride from sunrise to sunset.
ANNUAL PERMITS are available online via the BUY A PERMIT link with the option to collect from Attitude Cycles in Brackenfell, Chris Willemse Cycles at Willowbridge, Cyclosport in Kuilsriver and Flandria Cycles in Stellenbosch. The 2023 permits are valid until 31 December 2023 and cost R800 for a main member, R700 for a spouse, R600 for students and pensioners and R500 for juniors (under 18).
DAY PERMITS for 2023 will remain R70 and are sold at the route access points as well as Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad and Dwars in die Weg security open 24/7. Take note that most of the access points operate on a cashless system with Zapper as the only payment option.
SPECIAL OFFER: 2023 BHRC annual permit holders will have free access to the new Polkadraai Bike Park!
Your permit fee contributes to alien clearing, trail maintenance and community development.
Orange
A perfect loop for beginners at 9.7km with a little climb only, along jeep track and farm roads.
Red
This is the main central loop, connecting all the other routes – 30km, 600m ascent through Renosterveld jeep track and along farm roads with several single track sections. The Red Route is a moderately challenging ride. Can be accessed via and overlaps with Orange, Yellow or Green loops.
Yellow
This loop has two options: short (10km, 100m ascent) and long (19km, 290m ascent). Both the short and long options start along farm roads and end with 2.5km single track along rivers and dams. The short option is an easy to moderate ride. The long option adds considerably more climbing followed by a switchback single track descent before joining the short option again.
Green
Offers several options ranging from 16km, 270m ascent to 24km, 500m ascent. The route follows farm roads lower down through vineyards and winds its way up through Renosterveld via jeep & single track. The return down includes exhilarating single tracks like Geelslang & Mongoose.
Blue
A 9km loop with 260m of ascent and consists mostly of single track through Renosterveld, circumventing Bottelarykop. It can be accessed from either the Yellow or Orange loops. There are some steep sustained climbs and fast single track descents.
Purple
A short route around Jordan Wine Farm, a short steep-ish climb up, jeeptracks and a short piece of singletrack through the forest. 4.5km, +/- 75m ascent. Easy/intermediate, access from Jordan, Zevenwacht or the green route.
For more route suggestions and descriptions, see the Routes page on Trailforks.
Rules & Safety
The trails are situated on private working wine farms. Only annual or day permit holders are allowed access to the trails and bike boards must be displayed on handle bars at all times. You can ride from sunrise to sunset.
Individuals are responsible for their own safety and should not attempt to ride any of the trails if it is not within their capabilities or that of their equipment. Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy and the landowners accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or death of any person on the trails. You will be required to agree to an indemnity when buying a permit.
- Only annual or day permit holders are allowed access to the trails and bike boards must be displayed on the handlebar of the bicycle at all times.
- Riding time is from sunrise to sunset only – no night riding.
- Do not stray off the marked routes.
- A helmet must always be worn whilst riding.
- No alterations are allowed to any trail or the riding area in general without explicit approval of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy Committee.
- Riding alone is not advisable (in case of incapacitating accident).
- Do not tamper with plants or provoke any animals.
- No camping or making of fires allowed.
- No pets allowed.
- NO LITTERING!
Riders breaking any of the above rules are liable to have their annual or day permit revoked. Permit fees will not be refunded.
Safety: The trails are situated on working wine farms. Be on the lookout for tractors and vehicles at all times as they have right of way. Riding is only allowed from sunrise to sunset. Riding alone is not advisable (in case of an incapacitating accident). Carrying a mobile phone is recommended.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
- Police Flying Squad: 10111
- Ambulance: 10177
- Cellphone Emergency: 112
- Ambulance ER24: 084 124
- Tygerberg poison unit: 0861 555 777
The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy MTB Trails network has several designated starting points. Access to the trail network is only allowed from these starting points. All vehicles must be parked in the designated parking areas and vehicles are not allowed within the riding area.
Park & Ride Access Points
Asara
Day permit sales: Cyclists can obtain their tickets from our Receiving/Dispatch Security office located next to the Winery. Designated Parking is available opposite the ticket office which is also the start of the cycling trail.
CASH ONLY
Brenaissance Wine & Stud Farm (Devon Valley Road)
Day permit sales: The Farmers Pantry from 08h00-16h00. Payment via Zapper.
Devonvale Golf Estate (Bottelary Road / M23)
Day permit sales: Pro-shop from 07h00-17h30 Monday to Friday and 06h30-18h00 on weekends.
Dwars in die Weg (Devon Valley Road)
Day permit sales: 24/7 from the security at Ski Lake entrance (no parking).
Hazendal (Bottelary Road / M23)
Day permit sales: Babushka Deli from 08h00-17h00.
Jordan Wine Estate (Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenburg)
Day permit sales: The Bakery at Jordan from 07h30 – 16h30 (Mon – Sun).
18 Coffee Trail Centre at Neethlingshof
Overgaauw Wine Estate (Stellenbosch Kloof Road)
No permit sales – just park & ride only.
Zevenwacht Wine Estate (Langverwacht Road)
Day Permit sales: 24/7 from security gate with dedicated parking at the gate.
For the most up to date version of the BHC trails, we recommend that you download the Trailforks App.
IOS
ANDROID
If you prefer a PDF version, click on the link below. Take note that the PDF map might not be up to date with the latest route changes. Enjoy the trails.