Knysna Forest Mountain Biking
Forest trail maps & pics.
These photos of the Knysna Forest Walks and Trails in this Knysna Forest virtual photo tour are meant to be representative as trees fall, landscapes change and different weather casts different light. One cannot capture it in one photo.
THE HOMTINI CYCLING TRAIL: This 19km circular route starts and ends at Krisjan-se-Nek picnic area in the Millwood Forest. This mountain biking trail includes single-track sections, it is 19km long and starts and ends at Krisjan-se-Nek (about 3km from Forest Edge) there is a tough climb between kilometres 5 and 9, there is shade parking for your car. There is scenic high forest, fynbos and plantations. There is a swimming spot just before a very tough climb that can take up to 40 min to crest. From the top there is a stunning view over the Knysna River gorge, Lilyvlei Forest and the Knysna Heads in the distant background, later on the Millwood Goldfields. It traverses sections of wet forest and a white-water stream. It takes the rider of average fitness about 2 hours, but to enjoy the scenery, aim for 3 hours. The route roughly follows: Millwood road, Pomp-se-Pad, Deurpad, Lawnwood River, Portland heights, Boer-se-Pad, back to Millwood road.
Most of the Forest Edge guests who make use of our Knysna Forest Mountain Biking Package do this trail before any other.
THE HARKERVILLE CYCLING TRAILS & ROUTES: These 12/14/15/24km routes start near the Garden of Eden Permit hut near Harkerville. These mountain biking trails are described as having relatively easy gradients and offer 4 different routes: Yellow Route: 14 km, about 1.25 hours to ride. Follows gravelled surface roads and will be the only open route if others have to be closed due to rain. Blue Route: 12 km, about 1.5 hours to ride. There is a section along the Beukespad forest slip-path through medium-high forest and the return path loops past a glade of coast redwood planted in 1927. Green Route: 15 km, about 2.25 hours to ride. Follows Grooteilandpad, then Waterpad where there is a swimming hole. There is also an alternate southward loop offering breathtaking views of the rugged Harkerville coast. The home-bound leg follows Kleineilandpad, then Perdekoppad through some tall coastal forest with fine Hard Pear. Red Route: 24 km, about 3-5 hours to ride (much tougher route than the others). The most scenically diverse, with long stretches of off-road track along old slip-paths and a section through fynbos near the cliff-line.
Forest Edge guests who make use of our Knysna Forest Mountain Biking Package often tackle these trails after they have done the picturesque must-do Homtini cycling trail.
THE PETRUS-SE-BRAND CYCLING TRAIL: This 24km trail starts at the Diepwalle Forest Station and ends at the Garden of Eden near Harkerville (or vice versa). It is suitable for riders of average fitness, especially downhill starting at Diepwalle. Southbound takes about 1.5 hours and Northbound takes about 2 hours. Families cycling at a more leisurely pace should allow 3 hours. The more commonly used Southbound route starts 533m above sea-level and starts along the Uniondale road, then breaks sharply to the left to follow the contoured bed of the old narrow-guage forest-railway line which used to run from Ysterhoutrug to Knysna. Then turn left at Petrussebrandpad and descend, cross a stream, then wind up the ascent from Petrusbrand Eiland. Ride through medium-moist to dry type forest with several old yellowwoods crowned with ‘old-man’s beard’, then suddenly emerge in the open towards Kleineiland. On a clear day expect a wonderful view of the Tsitsikama mountains and the distant Plettenburg Bay. Re-enter the forest and descend into Kleineiland river valley where the road becomes quite cobbled. Cross a low-water bridge with unusually clear water as the water originates in forest and not in fynbos that gives other streams their characteristic brown colour. This is the lowest point at 180m above sea-level, just before a rather severe climb. This eventually tees into the Fisanthoek public road for a while before turning left into the forest to follow an old timber slip-path offering some exciting single-track riding.
Forest Edge guests who make use of our Knysna Forest Mountain Biking Package often tackle this trail after they have done the picturesque must-do Homtini cycling trail and Harkerville trails.
Note that Knysna Forest cycling trails require a nominal entry fee at the Sanparks entry boom or relevant kiosks. Below follows the official Sanparks Maps; this is the Sanparks flyer scanned in for your convenience – for more information on Sanparks cycling trails, contact Sanparks on 044 – 3025606.
Why not come stay at Forest Edge? Enjoy the comfort of a private, fully equipped, award-winning & affordable Knysna Forest self-catering cottage Garden Route at its most peaceful, from where to enjoy the Knysna Forest attractions and these other gifts of the Knysna Forest: Jubilee Creek picnic site and walking trail; The Drift; even the Beach; Knysna Forest; Post-trail Massages in your cottage
*** The Forest is good for the body, and even better for the soul. If you feel stuck, try cycling in the Knysna Forest – nothing beats cycling in the forest! Take a gentle ride on one of the many farm gravel roads in the area or get serious on a Knysna Forest Trail – it can change one’s perspective on life. The Knysna Forest trails are worth the effort. The Knysna Forest at Forest Edge offers our guests a prime starting position as many of the forest mountain biking trails are on our doorstep.
