2026 Memberships

Dear Wine Lands Trails Member & All Future Members,

As we gear up for the 2026 membership year, we’re excited to share a few important updates designed to make your experience on and off the trails smoother, fairer, and more flexible.

1. A simpler, secure & paperless collection process

From 2026, collecting your permit will be simpler, faster, and fully digital:

• Step 1: Walk into any official Wine Lands Trails collection partner.
• Step 2: Provide your mobile number or ID/passport number – no more hunting for emails or permit numbers.
• Step 3: You’ll receive a one-time authorisation code via WhatsApp.
• Step 4: Give this code to the staff member to confirm your identity and grab your permit.

 No forms to complete
 No printed emails or reference numbers
 No waiting for something to be re-sent

Just simple, fast, secure collections so you can spend more time on the trails and less time at the counter.

2. Commercial Permits – protecting the privilege of using the trails

Wine Lands Trails exists thanks to the support of landowners and paying members. Riding here is a privilege, not a right, and we need to make sure that the system remains fair for everyone.

Up to now, all permits have been personal permits, intended for individual recreational use. However, we’ve seen a growing number of businesses and guides using permits to generate income. To manage this responsibly, from 2026 we are introducing Commercial Permits.

From the 2026 membership year:

• If you charge to take groups on the trails (guiding, coaching, tours, corporate rides, etc.), you will be required to hold a Commercial Permit.
• Commercial permits for 2026 are R3 350 per adult.
• The commercial purchase process has been redesigned for bulk use:
  • You can purchase multiple permits in one transaction.
  • These permits can be non-named, ideal for businesses, schools, clubs and academies.
  • Permits are assigned to a principal or team manager, who takes responsibility for the actions of permit users.

This change helps us:

• Protect the long-term relationship with our landowners.
• Keep the trails open and properly maintained.
• Ensure that commercial benefit from the network contributes fairly to its upkeep.

3. Personal permit fees for 2026

We’ve worked hard with our partners and landowners to keep personal permit fees as low as possible, despite rising maintenance and operational costs.

Personal membership fees for the 2026 season are:

REGIONAL: Adult annual permit: R2350 | Junior/Scholar permit: R1800 | Senior permit: R1880
NORTH: Adult annual permit: R1500 | Family: R3200
SOUTH: Adult annual permit: R1050 | Junior/Scholar permit: R500 |  Senior permit: R750

Please refer to our website and official channels for the final, detailed pricing table and any category-specific conditions.

4. Expanding our platform – online (in-store) day permits

We’re also expanding our platform to make it easier for visitors, friends and occasional riders to enjoy the network responsibly.

From 2026, you’ll be able to purchase day permits for various partner networks online at winelandstrails.com – and soon in-store as well.

This will:

• Simplify access for visiting riders, family and friends.

• Ensure that day use of the trails is properly recorded and compliant.

• Support landowners and trail maintenance through every ride.

Keep an eye on our channels for updates as more networks come online via the Wine Lands Trails platform.

5. More access for Regional and North members

We’ve also continued to expand the network your membership unlocks in 2025. As a reminder:

• Regional Members enjoy access to:

  • Muratie

  • Devonbosch / The GOAT Trail

  • Polkadraai Bike Park

• North & Regional Members enjoy access to:

  • Breedekloof (Du Toitskloof & UniWines trails)

This is in addition to the extensive core network already included in your permit, giving you even more variety – from forests and vineyards to valleys and mountain passes.

 6. Outrides and community – more rides, more connections

2025 was our biggest year yet in terms of organised group rides, or so-called outrides, and we’re not stopping there. In 2026 we plan to build on this momentum with:

• More opportunities to meet fellow cycling enthusiasts.

• Guided and hosted outrides that help you safely explore new areas.

• Even more chances to experience the 1350 km+ of trails your membership gives you access to.

These rides are about more than just distance – they’re about community, discovery, and enjoying the best of what the Winelands has to offer on a bike.

7. Make it Your Own

You can now choose your own permit number from the range available at your selected collection point. 🎉
Just follow these steps during the renewal process (Memberships > Renewals):

1. Choose your collection point
   Select the trailhead or partner where you’d like to collect your permit.

2. Choose your membership type
   Pick the permit option that best suits your riding needs.

3. Click “Choose your permit number”
   This will open a list of numbers available at that specific location.

4. Search for your preferred number
   You’ll see something like:
   Showing 100 of 956 numbers (R26SB-2045 to R26SB-3000). Use search to find a specific number.
   Use the search box to type part of the number you’re looking for (for example: 520, R26SB-2100, etc.).

5. Select your number
   Click on the number you want – it will turn green to show it’s selected.

6. Continue to payment
   Once you’re happy with your choice, proceed to payment to complete your renewal.

That’s it – your chosen number will be reserved for you at your selected collection point. 🚵‍♂️🍇

8. Introducing the Wine Lands subscription – 8-month payment option

We know that January can be a tough month financially – and renewing all your permits at once doesn’t always help with the “Januworry” crunch.

That’s why we’re introducing the Wine Lands subscription:

• Spread your permit cost over 8 monthly payments.
• Keep your membership active without the once-off big hit.
• Available for qualifying permit types via our secure payment gateway.

This gives you more flexibility to budget, while still enjoying uninterrupted access to the trails you love.

Thank you

Thank you for being part of the Wine Lands Trails community and for respecting the land, the rules, and the privilege of riding here. These changes are all aimed at:

• Making your experience more convenient,
• Ensuring fairness between personal and commercial users, and
• Supporting the long-term sustainability of our trail network.

If you have any questions about the 2026 changes, commercial permits, or the new subscription option, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Permits will go on sale at 12:00 on Monday 8 December 2026.

See you on the trails,

Warm regards,

The Wine Lands Trails Team