Mountain Biking on Bottelary Hills

The 9^th of April 2011 marked the opening day of the Bottelary Hills MTB Trails and a few of us hopped on our bikes and helped inaugurate the new tracks on a lovely, warm autumn day. Joining the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club, we explored the beautiful hills of Bottelary.

 

There are many reasons to cycle the new Bottelary Hills mountain bike routes and for these reasons I have since done the route a second time, just last weekend in fact. Although it was freezing cold, it was well worth it. Any day doing something you like in the fresh open air of nature is rewarding.

Starting point at Middelvlei.

Easily Accessible

There are three starting points that make the routes easily accessible to all biking enthusiasts. From Stellenbosch you can start your cycle at Middelvlei and from the Bottelary Road you can buy permits at Hazendal or The Only One Restaurant at the entrance to Hartenberg. 

Conquering a hill.

Spoilt for Choice

There are routes for all levels of riders, from beginners to the super fit. The terrain consists mostly of jeep tracks although there are single tracks too.

Riders have the choice of five routes, ranging from 6km to 18.5km and climbs from 160m to 600m.


Day permits are available for R30 at each starting point. 

 

And another one.



However, no matter how easy or gruelling of a ride you take, all routes meander and climb through the vineyards and protected Renosterveld.

You will be rewarded for your efforts with inspiring views, a taste of farm life and the opportunity to spot local birds and animals, maybe even a jackal or bush buck.

Routes meander through vineyards and Renosterveld.


 

Be a Part of Saving the Renosterveld

The trails were opened by the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) to further their conservation efforts in the area. 

The BHRC was formed when concerned landowners expressed their need to protect the endangered fauna and flora species in the area. Together with Cape Nature Conservation, a program was initiated to protect the remaining Renosterveld on the hill, rehabilitate sensitive areas and reintroduce species lost to the area.

  

Forktailed Drongo.

Bird Watching

The BHRC is home to over a 100 species of birds. On our cycles we spotted a Forktailed Drongo frolicking in a tree, a Jackal Buzzard perched on a pole among the vines and Guineafowls and Francolins hurriedly trying to escape our oncoming crunching tyres.

We were even fortunate enough to hear the call of an African Fish Eagle. To me there is no other sound that says you are immersed in nature better than the distinctive call of this majestic bird.

To our surprise, we even saw two Eastern White Pelicans. We were observing two birds gliding gently through the air, they were rather large and we could not identify them.  We noticed they had settled on a dam and when we cycled past we stopped to have a closer look and to our astonishment we saw Pelicans, greedily scooping up water in their large expandable beaks.

 



The Stellenbsoch Winelands with Simonsberg in the background.

Visit Famous Wine Farms

All routes cross over the private land of the landowners and riders are privileged enough to enjoy some of the most famous wine farms in the area such as Hazendal, Hartenberg and Middelvlei, to name but a few.

When we returned from our cycle on Sunday we thought that we would enjoy a steaming cup of coffee at Middelvlei to warm our weary, chilly bodies.

It was a wonderful experience as we enjoyed fresh farm coffee brewed on the fire as well as indulged in warm potbrood fresh from the stove; so warm and fresh that the butter immediately melted on it, mouth watering.

Boere koffie and potbrood.

If you do start your cycle at Middelvlei, don’t forget to visit the three Wallabies that share their enclosure with mountain tortoises. They are the smallest breed of Wallabies.

Middelvlei has many farm friends one can visit, including potbelly pigs, donkeys, chickens, pygmy goats and roaming cows.



Foreign and local farm friends at Middelvlei.



Stellenbosch mountain blanketed in a coat of clouds.



Enjoy Incredible Views

Riders can indulge in the scenic beauty of the Winelands, enjoy the incredible views of Table Mountain, as well as the Stellenbosch Mountains, stretching into the Helderberg Mountain range and views over False Bay.

For more information on the MTB routes browse the website http://bottelaryhillsmtb.co.za/ 

For more information on Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy  go to http://www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za/