Heaven.

"Not only are there kilometres of singletrack, but it is all surrounded by majestic mountains, fynbos, renosterveld and vineyards. It is green and rideable 12 months of the year! And even in the rainy winter we have good options – the Bottelary Hills trails drain extremely well because of their sandy soil. With the money distributed through the Wine Lands Regional Permit most trails can now get some extra TLC all year round. I feel like I am in heaven every time I ride my bike here!”

Marleen Lourens

Photos: Frederick Voigt

YELLOW ROUTE
(19km/290m) | Grading: Blue / Moderate

Accessed from the main Red Route jeeptracks that run around the centre of Bottelary Hills, the Yellow Route (built in 2015 by Trail-Blazers) is a circular 19km trail of which half is singletrack. A series of climbing turns takes you to the top of the route where there are spectacular 180-degree views of the Stellenbosch mountains all the way to the sea at Gordon’s Bay and Somerset West. From there a 7km long piece of downhill track through the fynbos takes you on a fast ride to Fish Eagle, one of the iconic trails in the area. This piece of singletrack runs alongside several dams and streams, wending in and out of indigenous forest over bridges made from reclaimed timber, over rocky slabs beside the big dam, gently climbing and falling along a flowy trail that just gives and gives before throwing you out on the jeep track at the end where you might just decide to ride it all again! This is not a technical trail, but does have quite a few uphill and downhill switchbacks which beginners might find challenging, likewise anyone who is not fit, but all sections can be walked. If you’re looking for a cappuccino or a good meal, there’s Asara, Devonvale Golf Club, Kunjani Wines, Neetlingshof, Jordan and a host of other options.

Learn more about the Bottelary Hills Conservancy Trails and discover a variety of routes here.