West Coast National Park
Just inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay, and only 1,5 hour’s drive from Cape Town’s City Centre, one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National Park.
West Coast National Park boasts a number of attractions, suited to all ages in the family. This beautiful park is the perfect place to explore and get closer to nature – from spectacular birdlife and oceanscapes, to the tapestry of spring flowers that cover the strandveld during August and September each year. Popular activities include, picnicing, birding, whale watching and game drives or for the more adventurous hiking or mountain biking one of the parks many trails or kayaking and kite-boarding in the Langebaan Lagoon. There is also the Geelbek Restaurant, housed in a beautifully restored Cape Dutch homestead which offers a range of delicious, traditional dishes. Their pumpkin pie is a must!
WEST COAST PARK CYCLING & MTB ROUTES
The park is fantastic to explore by bike. There are a range of cycling routes along tarred roads ranging from 30km to 70km, as well as two mountain-biking trails (13km Green Trail or 17km Red Trail). View map below and click each route to see more details.
All routes start from the Langebaan Gate and cyclists are expected to pay normal conservation fees at the gate or buy a Wild Card. Bikes can also be rented from Cycleworx in Langebaan or from Cycle Africa Tours.
Code of Conduct for Cycling and Mountain Biking:
- Respect the National Park and do not damage anything.
- Beware of and do not scare the animals.
- Leave no trace except tyre spoors on the route.
- Ride on marked trails only and heed no-entry signs.
- Be alert to other riders and cars.
- Normal road rules apply on the tar.
- No helmet – no ride.
- Except for the deviations described above, no bike may use any other trail or dirt road in the Park.
ACCOMMODATION
West Coast National Park boasts a number of beautiful and serene self catering accommodation facilities within the park. Some are privately owned and managed and need to be booked through the managing company. From exclusive self-catering cottages to Houseboats, permanently moored in the calm turquoise waters of Langebaan Lagoon. See details on the SAN Parks website.