Montagu Cycling Routes

Gravel & MTB routes in Montagu

Nestled in the Langeberg mountain range, the historic Klein Karoo town of Montagu is fast becoming a mecca for cyclists. With endless gravel roads, sweeping mountain vistas and a range of cycling experiences from exhilarating mountain bike trails to challenging gravel climbs and easy meanders through surrounding farmlands.

Explore the map and click on each route for more information and to download the gpx tracks or pdf map of the routes.

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

Ashbury Loop Route – 14km

A short route for the rider wanting a quick but scenic route with great views above the vineyards and orchards. If you want to see the Dam wall that collapsed during the Laingsburg Flood in 1981, you can continue up Joubert’s Pass for another two kilometres before backtracking onto the Ashbury Loop Route again. The route has only two short climbs which won’t test the fit rider.

Jeep Track via Joubert’s Pass – 37km

A challenging route for the average rider with a long clip from the town to the summit of the Jeep trail. Please close the gate once you are through. A stop at the summit is a must to take in the view of the Langeberg. Caution is required on the descent as the drop down has about ten water runoff humps. Once you are through the nursery it is a fast drop down back home.

Ouberg Route – 52km

This is the ride for the hard-core cyclists who wants to get in that much required hill training. The return trip is fast and caution is required on the descent down Ouberg Pass with sharp corners and plenty of washboard surface.
You go through the town and link up to the R62, just outside the town, in the Barrydale direction, you turn left onto the Talana Road. A kilometer later you turn left again on a dirt road to Ouberg. This road continues with an easy gradient passing through farmland and later mountainous areas. At about the 19km mark you turn left, this is 1,5km after the turn off to the right to Mont Eco on a right hand bend the road drops off to the left-later after the gate the road splits-you go straight on/left. This is a tougher section along a dirt track, once over the top it’s home along farm roads connecting you to the R318 back to Montagu to the left. This ride offers unlimited mileage should you choose to turn left. Continue on to Ouberg and beyond, do a “U-turn” and return home, it’s fast and fun.

Bobbejaans Bult Route – 38km (MTB trail)

This is a tough 38 km mountain goat heaven route and certainly not for the average rider. Bobbejaaans Bult is a climb of around 3 km reaching 17% at times with the meanest descent around Montagu. Once you re-join the Ouberg Road you turn left and head back to town where you have definitely earned your coffee.

Baden Route & Pietersfontein Dam Loop – 43 km

A ride suited for both the average rider and for the hard-core race snake. Flat for the most part. Leave Montagu via the R318 past the golf course and take the right hand fork along a dirt road. Continue until you can turn left through farm land and beautiful scenery, turn left again at the next turning which takes you back to the R318 and home to the left. This can be done clock wise which will give you a fast ride home.

When you reach the T-junction, you have the option to turn left if you want the short option. Turn right to continue on towards the Dam route. A half kilometre further on you turn left and follow the road to the dam. There is a compulsory portage as you climb the steps on the right hand side of the Pietersfontein Dam without your bike as it is all about the view and taking in the beauty of the Langeberg. Depending on whether you go out to the dam and which return route you use, you can stretch this ride to a good 53 km training ride. Count the steps.

Talana Route – 41 km

This is a flat and fast route ideal for families or riders wanting to do a time trial. There are a few rollers once you reach the turn- off to the Poortjieskloof Dam, six of them in fact if you want to count them before your reach the R62. There is a nice rest period for around six kilometre before turning off back onto the dirt through Rietvlei One, and back onto the short section of tar on the narrow old section of the Barrydale Road and onto the Talana Road back to town.

You go through the town and link up to the R62, just outside town, in the Barrydale direction, you turn left onto the Talana road. Follow this road, at Talana T-junction turn a right onto the R62 -left is to potjieskloof dam-dead end taking no lefts or rights. There are no big hills on the route except for the section before the R62.

Once at the R62 you turn right for a fast tar ride home on the wide shoulder. This is an easy ride with fantastic farm land and mountain views. If you want a little more dirt road, take a right at the shop and connect back onto the Talana road, then home.

Talana Long or Short

The same as the Talana route, but at the T-junction with R62, turn left then right again for an extra loop of 10km OR for a shorter route as you hit dirt at the beginning of the ride turn right and right or left at the T-junction. At the R62 turn right for home.

Eroica South Africa Routes

There are 4 gravel routes the Keisie (135km), Kogman (91km) and Kingna (45km) and Nova Eroica (155km).

MTB TRACKS:

Get yourself onto Church Street and head south past the hospital where you will get onto some dirt, carry on up to the top, keep left until you see a track going left. Once on this track it’s then up to you to explore the area. This is for the technical rider.

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