A Range of Single Tracks
Starting at the traditional home of SA athletics, Coetzenburg Stadium, the STF Trail follows a jeep track designated GREEN up the mountain above Stellenbosch.
Also known as Bergpad, this road forms the basis of the local course used during the SA Olympic Cross Country (XCO) finals in 2015. You will be able to follow well signed-posted shortcuts between the jeep tracks at various points along single-tracks ranging from RED to BLACK. A highlight is undoubtedly the drop to Welgevallen Dam along the Welgevallen Gorge RED Track.
XCO Fix
Once you’ve had your XCO fix, continue on the jeep track south in the direction of G-Spot. At the top of this legend trail, either return on the single-track to Eden Forest or descend G-Spot itself. This truly rates as one of the jewels of SA MTB, but keep in mind that the route is designated RED with numerous jumps and rollers that will challenge unskilled riders.
(UP signs will return you to the top of G-Spot again). Now follow the GREEN jeep-track towards Eden Forest (there’s fresh water from a perennial stream just below the reservoir). Crank through the fynbos valley on various GREEN Tracks or follow sings into the BLUE downhill route to the bottom gate.
From here, a network of jeep tracks will take you in a southerly direction through pine plantations to an expansive fynbos area. Single-tracks to the right mostly circle back to the Eden Forest Gate; if you continue over the small valley and the next ridge, you will reach the MONT MARIE part of the track.
This is a new addition to the STF trail system and takes you through spectacular scenery. Most of this section of the route is rated BLUE, but watch out for signs to RED/BLACK shortcuts.
Delvera is the home of Dirtopia and therefore the stomping grounds of Meurant Botha, the ‘Old Man Trail’ of South African mountain bikin...
To understand Jonkershoek you really have to appreciate that it is a commercial forest, and that it is regularly harvested. This means trail...