Schapenberg MTB Trails

About Schapenberg MTB Trails

Start: Ongegund Conference Centre, Sir Lowry's Village
Finish: Ongegund Conference Centre
Level: easy to intermediate
Type of route: gravel roads, smooth, easy to ride singletrack
Distance: from 13 km to 32 km
Cell reception: good
When: trails are open 7 days a week

These trails take place on the slopes of the Hottentots-Holland mountains, above the starting point of Sir Lowry's Pass Village, which rests at the base of the mountain pass just outside Somerset West.

An initial climb shouldn't come as a surprise although the jeep track is good quality. Keep a sharp look out for directional signs throughout as they can be confusing, and often hidden in the surrounding fynbos.

The red route is probably your best bet if you want a good ride without the additional serious climbs, and the technical singletrack loop, of the black route. It has fewer climbs and is a comfortable 24 km.

The yellow route has even fewer climbs than the red route, whilst the green route has no singletrack to speak of, and any climbs are relatively easy (great for beginners and those after a sedate cycle, in other words).

That said, the singletrack in the initial stages of the red route is great - Jacques Marais describes it as a track 'not to be missed at any cost', despite its meagre 1 km duration. He warns that you might miss it as you come to the head of a steep hill (concealed to your right).

The red route continues past Knorhoek Wine Estate, crosses a railway line, and then climbs the side of the mountain. Another, even better, singletrack presents itself on the red route at about the 13 km mark, again to your right.

The finale includes a roller coaster downhill finish that meets up with familiar roads and the start of the ride.

Green Route: 4 km
Yellow Route: 15 km
Red Route: 24 km (for the experienced rider)
Black Route: 27 km (tough and aimed at competitive riders)