Grootvadersbosch Conservancy
The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy is located between Heidelberg and Suurbraak and represents 19 private landowners working together to promote conservation activities in the Grootvadersbosch valley. Run as a non-profit trust the Conservancy is a separate entity to the, Cape Nature managed, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy consists of 35 000ha of private land, surrounding the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Boosmansbos Wildernes Area. The conservancy includes three private nature reserves. Projects, including alien clearing, fire management, eco-tourism, environmental education and trail building.
Come and ride the Grootvadersbosch Mountain Bike trails
The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy mountain bike trail network traverses the Conservancy. This trail network was funded by the Table Mountain Fund to showcase the biodiversity across the landscape, working with multiple partners to support conservation activities. These spectacular trails include over 150km of single track and jeep track that traverse indigenous forest, mountain fynbos, renosterveld and productive farmland.
All mountain bike trails start at the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy office, where permits are available for R50. An honesty box system is available after hours. Safe parking, water and information on trails is available at the office.
Annual permits are R350. Permits are also available from selected guest houses and Delish Restaurant in Heidelberg. Suurbraak Trail permits available from Paradise Organic Restaurant and Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and cost R30.
Cows and fence Bridges: You are riding through some of the most productive dairy farms in South Africa. These cows give us milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ultimately chocolate. We therefore ask that you treat them with the respect deserved. The fence bridges were built to mainly keep the cows safe. REMEMBER NOT ALL BRIDGES ARE RIDE-ABLE FOR ALL LEVELS OF RIDER, EVEN ON THE GREEN ROUTES. If you are unsure, please walk. You are riding entirely at your own risk so be safe. Everyone is just too busy milking to come pick you off a fence pole!
Overview of Trails
Click on Routes below for more information about the trail
Blue Route: Distance: 39km Elevation: 900m Duration: 3-4hours
Red Route: Distance: 25km Elevation: 750m Duration: 3-4 hours
Black Route: Distance: 45km Elevation: 1250m Duration: 4-6 hours
Suurbraak Route: Distance: 17km and 8km Elevation: 300 and 500m Duration: 2-4 hours
Green Route: Distance: 11km route Elevation: 400m
New Route of 23km Elevation: 700m Time: 2-3hours (Opening February)
Heidelberg Route: Distance: 10km Elevation: 170m Time 1-1.5 hours (opens mid Jan 2017)
Information on Marloth Trails in Swellendam Available here
Download overview of mountain bike routes here
Can't keep a straight face
Been there twice recently and both times we had a blast. If you still need to experience the trails then do so, your loosing out big time. The trails are well marked and offer vareous degrees of fun and surprise. Definitely a must ride when in the area.
A full house mtb experience
We rode the blue route of the Grootvadersbosch conservancy trails. What a beautiful region to explore! Highly recommended. Covid has no doubt affected the ability to perform trail maintenance but they are still well signposted. Let’s get the wheels down and support this fantastic area!