The Harkerville Cycle Routes

Situated between Knysna and Plettenbergbay, Harkerville forest is the ideal location for recreational mountain biking. The relatively easy gradients and diversity of the rides offers some of the finest cycling in the Southern Cape.

Route Descriptions:
Four distinct routes have been laid through indigenous forest, plantation and coastal
Fynbos and have been colour – coded, Yellow, Blue, Green and Red, giving a choice of ride distances.
All four start and finish at the Garden Of Eden, on the N2, where permits must be obtained. Alternative access roads are available, starting from the Kranshoek Road Gate, or the Kranshoek Picnic Site. Permits may also be obtained from the Kranshoek Road Gate during season only. Out of season permit are only obtainable at The Garden Of Eden.

Certain short sections of the Harkerville Cycle Routes share track with the Harkerville Coast Hiking Trail. Your attention will be drawn to these sections where overlap exists. Please ride slowly through these sections as you will be moving in the same direction as hikers. Make your presence known well in advance when approaching hikers. There are two sections on the Red Route which traverse steep downhill slopes. Be careful here!Keep to the marked route. Never cut corners or leave the trail.

The Forest Environment:
Remember, the forest is a workplace. Respect warning signs and keep clear of any operations and machinery. Although forest roads are quiet, you should remain alert at all times for other vehicles and timber lorries using the roads.

Control your bicycle at all times. Do not ride too fast and do not lock your back wheel when braking. It causes erosion.

Strive to ride with minimal impact. Forests are used for a wide range of recreational activities. Cyclists must give way to hikers and horse rides.

Personal Safety
Always underestimate your ability and ensure that you are fully equipped to enjoy your cycling in safety. Changes in weather conditions and damage to th route by other users may result in increased difficulties. Be prepared to carry your bike over sections that are beyond your cycling ability.

The Routes:

The Yellow Route:
14 Kilometres in length and takes about 75 minutes to ride. The route follows graveled service roads and will be the only route open when other routes are closed due to wet soil conditions.

The Blue Route:
Covers a distance of 12 Kilometres and takes about 90 minutes to complete. A section of 2, 5 km along the Beukespad, a forest slip path, leads the rider through some typical medium – moist high forest. The return path of the loop passes by a small glade of coast Redwood (Seguoia sempervirens) which were planted in 1927.

The Green Route:
15 Kilometres in length and takes about “2 and a quarter” hours to ride.The circuit follows the Grooteileandpad for several kilometres before turning eastwards into Waterpad. On Waterpad is a shady swimming hole while provides a pleasant stopover. An alternative southward loop gives the cyclist an opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view of the rugged Harkerville coast.

The homeward leg of the of the route takes the rider northwards along Kleineiland pad, then turns westward into Perdekoppad, a delightful section of offroad track which passes through some tall coastal, coastal forest with a number of fine examples of Hard Pear(Olinia ventosa)

The Red Route:
24 Kilometres in length and can take between 3 and 5 hours to ride. This route is much tougher than the other routes and can be difficult for the not –so-fit rider. Probably the most scenically diverse mountain-bike route in the country, its two outstanding feautures are the long stretches of off-road track, which follow old slips-paths through the forest and section of track through the coastal fynbos near the clilff-line. Together these total over 10 km.

For Your Information:

Please carry your permit with you at all times. These must be obtained at the Garden Of Eden or at the Kranshoek Road Gate.
Overnight accommodation at the Harkerville Hut can be reserved at the Forestry Regional office in Knysna.

The tariff is R30.00 per person per night.
OFFICE HOURS: 7H30 – 17H00 Mondays to Sundays

Garden Of Eden – Tel: 044 532 7793
07h30 – 16h00 – Mondays to Fridays

Regional Office Knysna – Tel:044 302 5606
DiepwalleForest Forest Station – Tel: 044 382 9762
Harkerville Forest Station – Tel: 044 532 7770

Note: Some cycle routes may be closed on short notice due to wet soil conditions. Please telephone the above numbers for information.

Running water is drinkable (the brown colour of the water is due to tannins and humic acids leached from leaf litter on the forest floor)

Information supplied by South African National Parks.