Hillcrest - Kliprug MTB Trails

The whole trail comprises of two concentric rings, the lower green route (7km and 250m climbing) and higher red (7km and 250m climbing). Do both and you are in for a really fun 14km ride. The trails are well marked and the signs are easy to see and follow. The green route was designed by Meurant Botha and is a preferred choice for Western Province XC races. The trail is testing rather than technical and includes some atmospheric climbs up and thrilling descents (one is called ‘Elastoplast Valley’!) down through the shady and cool trees in the kloof.  If you’re feeling confident, try the see-saw fence crossing! Newbies can expect to hone their switchback and balancing skills here, whilst the more experienced riders can try the red route, which tests one’s climbing abilities up to 400m, before descending the  ‘Porcupine’s Plunge’ series of 8 switchbacks down the face of the mountain. If you don’t do the descent, you can continue 300m up and over into the top of the Contermanskloof Trail. 

An addition in mid-2010 was the Kliprug Trail, a 7km extension of the Hillcrest trail over a neighbouring farm, designed as an alternative access to the Contermanskloof trail. Access is from the top of the Hillcrest green route (well marked) along a ridge before dropping down into a beautiful and remote valley, home to some great wildlife and birds. Take time to sniff the wild garlic and relish in the solitude as you traverse the contours of this rough and ready characterful trail that is shared with cows from time to time. They use the route markers as scratch posts, so don’t expect to always find them upright, and they leave plenty of souvenirs on the singletrack for you to bunny hop over! A fast run along the (mostly cow-built) twisty singletrack on the valley floor  will have you wooping with glee, brings you to a picturesque dam surrounded by blue gums. Here you can turn right over the dam wall into Contermanskloof, or left, and start the 1.5km technical climb up and out of the valley back to Hillcrest.   

 

(GPS Co ordinates 33°49'31.89"S 18°35'21.77"E) to the gate of Hillcrest Farm. Once there follow the signs for the MTB parking area.

 

There is a day permit fee of R30 which includes both Hillcrest and Kliprug, payable at the restaurant. If you are riding before 9:00 in the morning or after 17:00 in the evening there is a honesty box on the wall on the right hand side of the restaurant at the top of the ramp. So guys or girls, be honest, please support The Club who built these trails if riding out of hours.  Tygerberg MTB Club Members ride for free. There is plenty of dedicated mtb parking AT THE TOP PARKING AREA, please do not park by the restaurant. 

1. Riding on the trails is permitted from sunrise to sunset.

2. NO HELMET, NO RIDE!!
3. Tygerberg mtb Club members ride for free, everyone else must buy a R30 permit from the restaurant, or deposit R30 in the honesty box on the wall on the right hand side of the restaurant at the top of the ramp.
4. If you are not showing a TmtbC bike board, you may be challenged and asked to produce a permit.
5. The starting point of the trail is at the top MTB parking lot..
6. Stay on the marked trails!
7. Follow the directional flow of the route markers
8. There are no bike wash facilities on the site.
9. Please report any strange activity you may spot on the trail to me, or to David in Wine Sales.
10. Please be courteous to farm workers and farm staff, we are their guests and wish to foster good relations to ensure a long tenure.
11. Riding on someone else’s land is a privilege, not a right. Be respectful, privileges can be withdrawn!
 

There is also more to do on the farm than just ride MTB, why not try some award-winning wine and olive oils, go hiking or fishing, or book out the spectacular quarry with it’s mystical lake for a wedding or private party.

Hillcrest 021 975 2346   or email  cellardoor@hillcrestfarm.co.za      www.hillcrestfarm.co.za