Harkerville MTB Trails

About Harkerville MTB Trails

The Harkerville MTB trail near Knysna is 24 km of 72 per cent single track trail though forest, coastal path and plantation; an incredible ride. The red route qualifies as iconic. Many regard Harkerville as the birth place of mountain biking in South Africa.

Where: Harkerville Forest, close to Plettenberg Bay and Knysna
Level: all riding levels
Type of route: a range of four, colour-coded, circular routes; anything from easy to fast-flowing single track that gets quite technical
Best: any time of year

A highlight of the trails is the intermittent views from above the ocean on the coastal paths.

Yellow Route – 13 km on gravel forest service roads and the only route to remain open even when it rains; the easiest of the routes and good for those not terribly fit

Blue Route – 11 km on gravel service roads, the route heads along Beukespad, a forest path, and through thick forest. The return passes huge coastal redwood trees. It is an easier option although the sections of single track through the forest can get tricky for beginners

Green Route – 14 km moderately difficult route along the Grooteiland path and Waterpad (includes a swimming hole) with an optional loop along the Harkerville coastline path (worth doing). The return along Perdekoppad (coastal forest) is all single track

Red route – the toughest, most exhilarating, and longest of the routes, but definitely one of the most scenic in the country; take the time on the gravel road downhill and bridge crossing to have a swim (steep climb ahead); head through deep forest, fynbos and dizzying coastal road

Get your permit from the Garden of Eden forestry office, 15 km east of Knysna on the N2 or 16 km west of Plettenberg Bay

No helmet – no ride.