Rails to Trails 2026

A Vintage Train Ride Into the Ultimate MTB Weekend

Picture this: you’re rolling out of Cape Town on a vintage train, mountain bike stowed on board, watching the Overberg’s green hills unfold through the window. That’s how the Rails to Trails weekend kicks off — and it only gets better from there.

The Setup

From 24–27 April 2026, Ceres Rail Company is running a special service from Cape Town to Elgin, timed perfectly with the Railway Wine Festival at the Elgin Railway Market. The festival fills the valley with wine, food, and live music all weekend long. But for riders, the real draw is Trail’s End Adventure Hotel in Grabouw — your basecamp for two days of world-class mountain biking. Even better, guests can climb on at Van Der Stel and get off at Oude Molen, just 200 metres from the hotel’s front door.

What’s Included

Two stay packages are on offer. The ensuite option runs R4 600 for two guests, and the shared bathroom option is R3 400 — both include two nights’ accommodation, a dinner, and MTB trail permits. Train fares start from R950 per person one way, with a budget-friendly option to hop on at Bot River for just R350. Not a Wine Lands Trails member? No worries — a special weekend day permit is available for just R150 (normally R100 per day).

Sunday’s Rails & Ride

The Sunday session is a standout. Catch the 11:00 train from Elgin Railway Market to Bot River station with your bike, then ride back up the Katpas to Trail’s End. The route includes a pit stop at Paul Cluver for wood-fired pizza — because every great ride deserves a great reward.

How to Book

Accommodation packages are booked directly with Trail’s End ([email protected] | +27 67 397 6900). Train tickets go through www.ceresrail.co.za. Shuttle transfers between the station and hotel can also be arranged through Trail’s End.

Don’t overthink it. Load the bike, hop on the train, and let the Overberg do the rest.