GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY
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RED ROUTE


A challenging route with plenty of single track.

Distance: 19km
Elevation: 660m
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
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DOWNLOAD MAP PDF
red_19.4km_660m_update.kmz
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: kmz
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red-19.4km-660m.gpx
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POINTS OF INTEREST
TO LOOK OUT FOR
​EN ROUTE ON THE
RED ROUTE 

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● STRAWBERRY HILL
A guest house with a focus on mountain biking. The farm hosts the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy office.
​The farm is named after the wild strawberries that used to grow here. 


PUFFADDER ALLEY-closed
Puffadders are common in the conservancy (brown/white chevron-like patterns). Other venomous snakes include: boom slang, and the occasional Cape Cobra. If you encounter one, be calm and let them pass. 
​

BRENDON’S BRIDGE
Brendon grew up in the conservancy and assisted in building many of the trails. He tragically lost his life too early in a car accident. He was loved by all.


GENERAL STROLL
Major General Graham Moodie and his beloved wife Sheila moved to Honeywood Farm in 1972. After retiring from the army, Graham returned to his passion: bees, botany and walks. This was one of his favourite walks. He lived until 102 and walked this trail often.


● HONEYWOOD FARM
The guest farm sells raw honey and provides pollination services. Guest houses are spread across the farm. 


BROSIUS OVERSTEEK
Sponsored by the Belgium Brosius family.


● VALLEY'S END
A guest farm with sheep, Bonsmara, Nguni and chicken eggs.


BLACK HARRIER REFUGE
An endangered raptor that nests in this area; look out for this bird with its barred tail, often seen gliding low over the veld while hunting.


MOODIE DOWNUNDER
Private cemetery of the Moodie family. The first grave is of Margaret, wife of Benjamin Moodie, who was the first Moodie to own Grootvadersbosch Farm in 1817. All subsequent generations are remembered here.


● GROOTVADERSBOSCH FARM
One of the many jersey dairy farms in the valley. A guest house and a CapeNature stewardship site. The farm house was built in the 1700s.
TOP HOUSE: One of the cottages available for rent on GROOTVADERSBOSCH farm.
SNELSETTER: One of the cottages available for rent on GROOTVADERSBOSCH farm.


TOPHOUSE

SNELSETTER


CAPE KURPER CRUISE

Traverse along the Grootvadersbosch River on a tricky, roocky but fun single track that will get your feet wet, sadly too dangerous to watch out for our special indigenous fish.


PEAR PLACE
Settlement of 10 families that lived here as sharecroppers from 1900 - 1950. There was a shop, a school and a blacksmith. They built wattle and daub houses and practiced subsistence farming.


BUTTERFLY BLUES
Look out for the endemic Blue Emperor butterfly, Charaxes xiphares occidentalis. This is the most southern subspecies and confined to fragmented forest habitats.


GHOST FROG CORNER 
The forest is home to a subspecies of the rare Ghost frog, often found near white water streams deep in the forest. The frog is endemic to the conservancy.


● HUNTERS
One of the cottages available for rent on Honeywood.


● OU WERF
One of the cottages available for rent on Honeywood.


● WOODY'S
One of the cottages available for rent on Honeywood.

​
FOREST SWITCHBACKS
Many switchbacks in species-rich Afrotemperate Forest. South African forests have the highest biodiversity of all temperate forests: 3- 7 times richer than any other forests in the southern hemisphere.


● FOREST LODGE AND STRAWBERRY HILL LODGE
One of the cottages available for rent on Strawberry Hill.


OUR OTHER TRAILS 

Here’s a snapshot of the trails you can ride: 
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Download overview of mountain bike routes here.
This trail network was funded by the Table Mountain Fund to showcase the biodiversity across the landscape, working with multiple partners support conservation activities. The trails include over 150km of single track and jeep track that traverse indigenous forest, mountain fynbos renosterveld and productive farmland. 

The trails were built by beasts* and pimped by man.** 

Respect the trail builders, follow the rules, ride safe & have fun!


*Mainly cow, sheep, bushbuck and the occasional leopard

**People who live and work here and love riding bikes 
LIABILITY
The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy Trust Board, partner organizations, funders, landowners and/or its employees and/or its successors in title shall not be liable for any damage, loss, theft, injury, accident or death suffered by any person, howsoever caused. Right of Admission Reserved. Ride at own risk.
​

TRAIL RULES
​​No picking flowers. No fires. No smoking. No camping. No littering. No picnicking. No swimming. No pets. No helmet, no ride. Please stay on the marked routes. We promise they are the coolest. Please close any fences that you open (but you are probably lost if there is no fence bridge). Approach animals with caution. Please be extra careful when approaching sheep as they can easily injure themselves if startled. Ride all fence bridges at your own risk. Walk them if you are unsure.

CONTACT THE
​GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY

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OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 730 to 4pm. We are closed every second Friday.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)

email

[email protected]
​

phone

079 335 0269 (whatsapp)

address

Map & Directions here

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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Copyright 2018 - 2021 Grootvadersbosch Conservancy. All rights reserved | Created with care by LoveGreen
  • Home
  • About
  • NEWS
  • Support
  • What we do
    • Protecting Rivers >
      • IUCN Tradouw Redfin Project
    • Alien Clearing
    • Training
    • Environmental Education
    • Forest Restoration >
      • IKI Restoration project
    • Fire
  • Play
    • Ride >
      • Red Route-Open
      • Blue Route-open
      • Black Route-open
      • Green Route-open
    • Birding
    • Guided Walks
  • Stay
  • Contact