Welcome To
Montagu Trails

Montagu Trails

Your guide to bicycle trails in Montagu

 

Welcome to Montagu, your gateway to mountain biking bliss in the Western Cape. Nestled on Route 62 in the picturesque Langeberg, our charming town is a treasure trove of outdoor adventures, and we’re here to guide you on a thrilling journey through its rugged trails.

Our passion lies in crafting and maintaining the very trails that weave through this mountain biking haven. From leisurely family-friendly rides to heart-pounding challenges that leave even the most seasoned riders grinning, we’ve got it all. Our routes are carefully graded on a scale of 1 to 5, so whether you’re seeking a scenic pedal through nature’s wonders or a hair-raising ride, we’ve got you covered. 

Picture yourself basking in the glory of Montagu’s natural beauty, the wind in your hair and the freedom of the open trails at your fingertips. As the sun kisses the Karoo landscape, early mornings in summer are the sweet spot to embark on your journey and dive into an adventure that will leave you invigorated and inspired. 

Join us as we carve out unforgettable experiences on two wheels. The thrill of Montagu’s trails call out, and your next great adventure is just a pedal away. 

The Trails

Singletrack - Orange Route

Accessibility

Start your adventure from the Park & Ride behind Montagu High School in Hospital Street, where a well-marked route awaits. 

Follow the orange arrows as they guide you through a charming path between the houses and into the heart of nature. This gentle, well-paced trail is perfect for a time trial, a refreshing walk, a quick trail run, or a moment to reconnect with the outdoors. 

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful solo escape or a fun outing with family and friends, this route offers a delightful way to explore Montagu’s natural beauty.

Singletrack - Green Route

Accessibility

Start your adventure from the Park & Ride behind Montagu High School in Hospital Street, where a well-marked route awaits. 

Follow the green arrows as they guide you through a charming path between houses and into the heart of nature. This gentle, well-paced trail is perfect for a time trial, a refreshing walk, a quick trail run or a moment to reconnect with the outdoors. 

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful solo escape or a fun outing with family and friends, this route offers a delightful way to explore Montagu’s natural beauty.

Singletrack - Blue Route

Accessibility

Our singletrack is located behind the hospital on the mountain side of Montagu South. There is a Park & Ride behind the Montagu High School in Hospital Street and blue arrows indicate the way. 

Wanting more distance? Start from your accommodation in town, going up Church Street turn right into Hospital Street. Enter the sugar gum forest and enjoy the beauty of this area while exploring Little Red Riding Hood, M+K and Big Rock trails. 

Exit the forest on a flowing downhill and be cautious before you cross the bridge. Follow the blue arrows over the beautiful Karoo landscape. 

A pump track awaits before you exit the trails. Pump track, not your thing? There is an easier exit should you choose.

Singletrack - Black Route: Bessiekop

Accessibility

Looking for an extra challenge? 

Bessiekop extends the Blue Route singletrack, adding 1.9km of exhilarating terrain to test your endurance and skill. 

Follow the black arrows as you tackle a steep, steady climb, winding around Bessiekop’s rugged slopes and reconnecting with the Blue Route. 

Get your hearts pumping, embrace the adventure, and experience Montagu’s trails at their most thrilling. 

Singletrack - Black Route: Montaview

Accessibility

Looking for more of a challenge?

Montaview extends the Blue Route singletrack with an additional 1.1km of scenic terrain that will test your endurance and skill level. 

Follow the black arrows as you navigate the steep climbs. 

Take a moment to appreciate the panoramic views before the trail reconnects with the main Blue Route. 

This extension increases your workout intensity while providing access to some of the most impressive scenery in the area. 

Singletrack - Blue Route: Montaview Long

Accessibility

Montaview Long is a compact Blue Route that branches left midway through the Montaview descent. 

This 700m trail packs in a few surprises and unexpected challenges despite its shorter length. The trail culminates in a flowing downhill section that reconnects with the main Blue Route just before you reach the wooden bridge. 

Perfect for those looking to add some variety to their ride without a major time commitment. Montaview Long delivers an engaging experience that punches above its weight.

Training Rides

  • All routes start and end at the Montagu High School sports fields in Hospital Steet
  • Start/Finish S33° 47.775’ E20° 7.484’
  • The routes are NOT marked, follow the GPX routes explicitly
  • The routes can be “mixed and matched”
  • Loop sections of the routes can be reversed
  • Be aware of traffic on the public gravel road sections
  • Close all gates SECURELY
  • Gate codes as indicated on the Montagu Trails Permit Board
  • No littering whatsoever permitted
  • Respect private property

Pietersfontein & Patatsfontein

Accessibility

0 – 6.5km, R318 Tar

6.5 – 16.5 km, gravel public road

16.5 km T-Junction left for shorter loop

19.2 km, Straight for clockwise loop, turn right for ant-clockwise loop (circular
route)

46.7 km, start of Drie Berge Single Track 1

48.8 km, Start of Drie Berge Single Track 2

54.0 km, Turn right onto tar back to Montagu

Ouberg, Joubert’s Pass & Rooibaard

Accessibility

3.4 km, turn left onto Ouberg Pass Rd (public gravel road)

19.3 km, turn left onto Joubert’s Pass road to exclude Ouberg Pass

26.4 km, Ouberg Pass summit

33.4, Turn right onto Joubert’s Pass road

45.0 km, Turn right up ReCycled Single Track (at river crossing)

50.2 km, Turn Left at start of Rooibaard

53.2 km, Rooibaard summit & 4km downhill!

57.4 km, Badenfontein Kamp

57.9 km, Turn left onto public gravel road

61.0 Join R318 tar road back to Montagu

African Game Lodge (AGL)

Accessibility

0 – 28 km, public gravel road, gradual climb.

28 km AGL Entrance

31 km AGL Reception

31 – 42.7 km Slagkloof Trail

42.7 km, AGL Reception

49 km Eland Single track

51 km, Exit gate (sensor activated)

28 km fast gravel road descent back to Montagu

R50 Day Permit payable at AGL reception

By prior arrangement: Contact Monwa  (+27) 73 794 3402

Montagu Trails Blue Route

Accessibility

The trail starts and ends at the High School Sports Fields

Start/Finish S33° 47.775’ E20° 7.484’

Follow the Blue direction arrows (and Black Arrows to include Bessieskop)

Be mindful of walkers and dogs

No littering whatsoever!

Ride the trails in the direction indicated by the Blue direction arrows

Talana Route

Accessibility

5.6km, gate into Dooringlaagte

9.0km, turn right onto the Talans Rd

16.1km, gate Start of the Klipkuil Trail, various options

28.0km, gate Exit the Klipkuil Trail. The klipkuil Trail can also be cycled in the opposite direction.

31km, gate Start of the Koenie Kloof Trail, tough 10km loop, 340m ascent

36.4km, summit, caution on the downhill section!

41km, gate, exit the Koenie Kloof Trail

46.7km, turn right onto the R62.

R62, Leeurevier, Rietvlei options back to Montagu

Other Routes

Ashton Klaasvoodgs

Accessibility

A gentle touring route for a family from a young teen onwards, with a few climbs that are rideable for the moderately fit ride. There is much to see on this route from 90-year-old vineyards to honey tasting, a cactus nursery, geranium and lavender cordial tasting, olive tasting as well as good mountain air. 

Rietvlei No 1, Talana Loop

Accessibility

Head out to Barrydale on the R62. Just out of town, there are two small rises which can be taken in one’s stride or push it a bit to get the heart pumping. Turn left at 9km or 12km, both have a sign indicating “Rietvlei No1”. From the turn off enjoy a quiet, peaceful ride back to town on good gravel roads and the old Barrydale road.

Talana Loop (including Leeurivier)

Accessibility

This is a flat and fast route ideal for families or riders wanting to do a time trial. There are a few rollers once you reach the turn-off to the Poortjieskloof Dam, six of them in fact if you want to count them before you reach the R62. There is a nice rest period for around 6 kilometres before turning back onto the dirt through Rietvlei No 1, and back onto the short section of tar on the narrow old section of the old Barrydale Road and onto the Talana Road back to town.

Joubert’s Pass Loop

Accessibility

A challenging route of about 42km for the average rider with a long climb from town to the summit of the Jeep Track. Please close the gate once you are through. A stop at the summit is a must to take in one of my favourite views of the Langeberg. 

Caution is required on the descent as the drop-down has about ten water runoff humps. Once you are through the nursery it is a fast drop down back home.

Ouberg Pass

Accessibility

This is the ride for the hard-core rider wanting to get in that much-required hill training. It is a good idea to use a Camelbak for this one. The return trip is fast and caution is required on the descent down the Ouberg Pass with sharp corners and plenty of washboard surface. 

Distance is around 52 kilometers depending on your route back to town. It contains 38 bends, corners and curves within its 7,8 km length, with an altitude variance of 497m, producing an average gradient of under 1:16.

Ouberg Pass Up (from Joubert Pass)

Accessibility

This is the ride for the hard-core rider wanting to get in that much-required hill training. This route is an extension from the Joubert pass turn off. Distance up and down is 14km in total.

Pietersfontein Dam Loop

Accessibility

A ride suited for both the average rider and the hard-core racing snake. Flat for the most part. When you reach the T-junction, turn left if you want the short option. Turn right to continue towards the Dam Route, half a kilometre further, turn left and follow the road to the dam. There is a compulsory portage as you climb the steps on the right or left-hand side of the Pietersfontein Dam without your bike as it is all about the view and taking in the beauty of Langeberg. Count the steps. Depending on whether you go out to the dam and which return route you use, you can stretch this ride to a good 53-kilometre training ride.

Pietersfontein & Patatsfontein Loop

Accessibility

This route is an extension of the Pietersfontein Dam Route.

African Game Lodge Slagkloof Trail

Accessibility

Start and Finish at the Reception Area of African Game Lodge – Anti-clockwise circular trail. The walking time approximately 3 hrs &  MTB cycling time approximately 1 hr.
Start – 3.3km good gravel road
3.3 – 6.5km Good jeep track, single track with short challenging sections. Gentle climb.
6.6 – 9.0km Trail through the Slagkloof. Beautiful scenery. Some short challenging sections.
9.00km From the summit, the views are stunning. From Montagu in the west to the distant cottages of AGL.
9.00-12.00 Lovely downhill sections which lead you back to the Reception area.

Other Trails to Explore

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