Grootvadersbosch Conservancy Trails

The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy mountain bike trails start and finish on Strawberry Hill Farm. They traverse across the conservancy and are managed by the nonprofit trust.

There are four trails to explore which all traverse through different sections of the conservancy. Strawberry Hill
Farm also has a good density of trails on the farm itself for short rides and also has some really nice flowing downhill sections for advanced and intermediate riders. The four trails the conservancy have to offer vary in difficulty, length, climb and technicality (requiring bike handling
skill). Each route also has a ‘short cut’ option which allows riders to shorten the route and avoid some tougher
​climbs. Be warned that due to the mountainous nature of the terrain none of our trails can be labeled as ‘easy’ as all of them have at least one or two challenging climbs.

The four routes are the Green, Red, Blue and Black trails. Here they are described below from shortest to longest ride time. However, for more information, route GPS KMZ downloads and points of interest on route, check out our MTB tab on Grootvadersbosch Conservancy Website. The trails are well marked but we are in an active farming area and cows love to knock over signs and baboons love to steal them so things can change daily. We therefore always recommend downloading the tracks if you can to ensure that you don’t get lost out in the mountains (although getting lost in the mountains is not necessarily a bad thing in our book!).  All the trails start and end at the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy office. This is where you will find parking for your vehicle and be able to organize your permit with the staff on duty. Maps of the trails and additional information are also provided. If you are arriving outside of office hours, you can find the necessary forms and collect your permit from the pink fridge just outside of the office. Day permits required to ​access the trails are R50.00 and annual permits are R350.00

The Green (only the short green is currently open)
The green is our friendliest route. The full green (currently closed) is 23kms in length and typically takes the average rider 2.5 hours to complete. It has some really nice flowing trails right from the get go which take the rider down to our neighboring farm in the valley, right past their dairy. From there it winds through the farming district on very mellow gradient district roads for a short while before it turns back onto the trails. From here it’s up up and away. The climb out of the valley is very do-able but there is a short section of climb that takes a bit more effort. Once out of the valley it is easy sailing on windy trails home. Don’t forget to include the extra single track descent into the strawberry hill indigenous forest just before the end. This little extra loop is well worth it but you can also head straight back to the office if you are tired and ready for a cold beverage.
NOTE THAT THE FULL GREEN IS NOT OPEN. THE SHORT 12km (400m) VERSION IS OPEN
 
The Red
The red trail seems to be our most popular and for good reason: epic single track. This 21km route takes riders about 2.5 – 3 hours to complete and 650m climbing. It does have some more challenging sections along the river so we don’t recommend it for beginners or people afraid of heights as some places have drop aways to the river. However, new riders can always walk the more challenging bits. It follows a stunning section of trail on the Grootvadersbosch River which is a great place for a relaxing pit stop! The river used to be full of invasive black wattle but a collaboration between government and private landowners means that much of these aliens have been removed. If exciting single track is why you came then the red route is for you!
 
The Blue
This trail is the least affected by heavy rains and riders that aren’t scared to get a bit wet should choose this trail as it keeps its grip and doesn’t get too boggy in wet conditions. This route is 39km (900m climbing) and takes you through some beautiful farmlands and renosterveld. It also has a great coffee stop en-route at Skeiding Guest farm which is an important part of any ride! This trail has some great single track (rooikat delight) at the start but it is better suited to those who enjoy gravel roads and rough jeep track.
 
The Black
This is our most challenging route. This 45km trail has about 1000m of climb and some exciting single-track. Riders typically take around 4 - 6 hours, depending on fitness. If you are feeling strong this route can be really rewarding with some of the area’s most spectacular vistas as you travers the Kleinberg mountain and great single track to bring you home! You can also explore the Tradouw crossing which takes you across the mountain into Tradouw Pass and then back on the main road. This amazing trail is remote but very beautiful and definitely worthwhile for the experienced rider. There is also a very challenging enduro section off the black called fynbos festivities but this should only be riden be experienced riders that are used to very technical descents.
 
Our trails offer you some of the areas greatest single track and spectacular views as you navigate through the incredible Grootvadersbosch Conservancy. The trails travers through three of our local vegetation types (renosterveld, fynbos and forest) as well as farmland so the rider can truly feel immersed in the Grootvadersbosch valley. Being only 2.5 hours from Cape Town these trails are perfectly suited to a mountain bike orientated weekend away!
Strawberry Hill Farm also has a good network of trails for riders that don’t want to stray too far. Perfect for younger riders and beginners, although there are some great technical sections for advanced riders to have some fun as well!
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Here at Strawberry Hill Farm we
aren't afraid of a bit of mud and
bicycles are welcome to be stored inside
if you choose to stay
at one of our guest houses that are
​all found just a stones throw
from the start of the trails! ​​

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