Escape the summer heat by mountain biking through the indigenous forests along the coastal section of the Garden Route National Park near Storms River Village. Various riding options will suit everyone from rookie riders to hardcore crankers.
The verdant forests of Tsitsikamma were named for the ancient Khoi phrase meaning ‘place of abundant waters’. This term aptly describes the lushness of a region brimming with temperate forest, where gigantic Podocarpus yellowwood trees tower over blackwater pools.
The route starts from Storms River Village, descending steeply for five kilometres to a low-water bridge over the Storms River in the valley below. This is a great place for a swim, as a calf-crunching climb awaits back onto the coastal plateau. Follow clearly marked signs via either the pine plantations or a stretch of indigenous paradise for a few kilometres of flat riding.
The pièce de résistance of the ride is a glorious panorama across Storms River Mouth and the adjoining stretch of the national park. Once you’ve taken in the scenery, return either via the plantation gravel roads or the section of trail along the gorge and through the forest, but watch out for bush pig poo.
Once you’ve rejoined the original route, crank into the gritty five-kilometre climb back up to the village. If you’re keen to increase your time in the saddle, check out the Misty Mountains Reserve for up to 60 kilometres of additional trails to explore (www.mistymountainreserve.co.za).
Getting there and when to go
Start and finish at Tsitsikamma State Forest Storms River Office in Storms River Village (not to be confused with Storms River Mouth). From the N2, turn off to Storms River Village (about 75 kilometres from Plettenberg Bay). Follow this road into the village, turn left at the stop street, pass the Tsitsikamma Village Inn and you’ll see the office on your right.
A mild climate all year round allows you to make the most of these trails at any time. Keep in mind the high rainfall means you’ll get wet and muddy. The Storms River Traverse MTB Stage Race is held annually at the end of August (www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za).
Off the bike
Storms River Village is a charming hamlet that offers a host of adventures including tree-top canopy tours, day hikes and black-water tubing. A short drive takes you to the Garden Route National Park, Storms River Mouth and the start of the Otter Trail. Face Adrenaline also offers the world’s highest bungi jump at Bloukrans Bridge.
Gear up
Ever thought it would be cool to record your ride in real time? Well, GoPro has a waterproof, high-definition camera able to shoot both stills and video in the most testing of environments. The GoPro Helmet Hero (R3 600) is great for mountain bikers, offering a range of extras, from head- to handlebar mounts and a waterproof casing. This hands-free camera captures stills of five megapixels, or 1 280-pixel video for more than two hours (www.goprosouthafrica.co.za).
If you’re looking for a higher-quality image, but still in a camera that would withstand anything but a nuclear blast, the Nikon CoolPix AW 100 (R3 995) records superb resolution images of up to 16 megapixels. You can drop it 1,5 metres, submerge it up to 10 metres deep, or expose it to temperatures as low as -10°C, and it will keep firing (www.nikon.co.za).
Tsitsikamma MTB Trail : Fast facts
- Grading: Intermediate, with a few steep climbs
- Duration: Two to three hours
- Configuration: Return, from 26 km
- Start point: Tsitsikamma Village Inn
- Terrain: Gravel road and jeep-track
- Entry requirements: Free self-issue permits from gate for first section. Permit for SAPPI section from Tsitsikamma Eezi Bikes or Tsitsikamma Village Inn.
- Cell reception: Good
- Contact: Tel 042-281-1711, www.tsitsikammahotel.co.za or tel 081-320-3977, email [email protected], www.eezibikes.com.
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