Experience the Thrill of Mountain Biking at Oak Valley Estate, Elgin Valley

Hi there! I’m Pieter Visser, a winemaker-turned-mountain biker. When you visit Oak Valley Estate in the beautiful Elgin Valley, you’ll quickly see that my passion for biking is deeply ingrained.

Get Ready for an Exciting Ride

Once you arrive at the estate, conveniently park in the designated area on the right. From there, you’ll have easy access to all the incredible trails. Hop on your bike and kickstart your adventure on a delightful singletrack path that winds its way through a forest of majestic oak trees.

At Oak Valley Estate, you’ll find a range of trails suitable for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider, we have something for you. Choose from the family-friendly Green trail, the intermediate Blue trail, or challenge yourself with the advanced Red or extreme Black trails. Just keep in mind that these routes are regularly updated as we continue to create new sections.

As I embark on the advanced Red Route, I find myself heading up a gentle slope onto grassy ridges. This is where the adventure truly begins! Instead of dealing with gates, I get to cross fences using unique wooden stiles that resemble steep, pyramid-shaped bridges. It’s like a secret path that allows me to zoom by at lightning speed, without any obstacles slowing me down. Plus, these clever stiles serve as an escape route if I encounter any not-so-friendly cows along the way. Talk about a smart solution!

Once I’ve passed the fences, I can’t help but crank up the speed as I descend down a bermed trail. The rush of the wind in my ears and the exhilaration of the ride make me feel alive! I find myself surrounded by the serenity of a dam, nestled in the midst of a pine plantation. It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of the action.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. I have a choice to make. I can continue on the Red Route, which promises its fair share of excitement, or I can opt for the more challenging Black Route. This option takes me on a climb into the foothills before looping back down to meet the Red Route again. The Black Route is known for being technical and steep in certain sections, but I’m no stranger to a challenge. As an experienced rider, I know I can handle it.

In the end, both the Black and Red trails offer an exhilarating experience for riders like me. Whether I choose the Red Route or the Black Route, I know I’ll be in for a thrilling adventure that pushes my skills to the limit. This is mountain biking at its finest!

By now, you’ve probably already covered over 13 kilometers on your bike, and there’s even more great riding ahead. The rest of the Red Route takes you along the river, zooming across wooden bridges, through dense poplar forests, and up and down exciting drops.

Every now and then, the trail switches to quick gravel sections, passing through apple orchards and leading you to the next thrilling stretch of single-track. And if you’re not out of breath by the time you zip back home among the oak trees, then you must have succumbed to pure pleasure.

The best part is that Oak Valley has facilities to make your post-ride experience a breeze. They have a bike wash, showers, and clean restrooms. And to top it off, there’s the delightful Peregrine Farm Stall just a short drive away on the N2. Their venison pie is the perfect treat after a ride!

Take a Break at Oak Valley Estate

Combine your bike ride with a wine tasting, which is best enjoyed afterwards. You can do this on weekdays from 09h00 to 17h00 and Saturdays from 10h00 to 14h00. The beautiful Elgin Valley also offers various other activities such as hikes and leisure options. If you’re up for it, you can check out Eikenhof Dam for a swim or paddle.

Now, let’s talk about what you need to know about Oak Valley Estate. The cows on the estate can be a bit grumpy, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them and give them some space, especially when there are calves around.

When you’re at Oak Valley Estate, make sure to participate in the Spur Adventure Sprint Series. This thrilling event happens throughout the year and provides a fantastic opportunity to combine your bike ride with a run and swim. It’s a sure way to have an action-packed day. To enter the race, you’ll need to pay R160, and you can pre-enter at www.quantumadventures.co.za.

Lastly, let’s talk about how to get to Oak Valley Estate.

If you’re heading towards Villiersdorp along the N2, take a left turn just after Peregrine Farm Stall near Grabouw. Keep following the R321 until you spot the Oak Valley entrance on your right. Remember, you can also use GPS co-ordinates: S34° 09’ 18.68”, E19° 02’ 46.85”.

Let me give you some Oak Valley Estate route facts.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Level of difficulty: Easy to extreme
• Duration: It will take you anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 hours
• What to expect: You have options ranging from 14 km to 32 km
• Where to start: The main gate parking area is your starting point
• Terrain: Get ready for lots of single-track trails
• Entry requirements: You’ll need to grab a permit for R30 at the gate. Don’t worry, you can get one any day of the week when it’s light out.
• Cell reception: You’ll have good coverage throughout the route