Longmore Forest MTB Route (Closest city/ town: Humansdorp)

Eastern Cape - Western Region EC

Longmore Forest MTB Route

CLOSEST TOWN > Humansdorp

TRAIL DESTINATION > Longmore MTO Plantation

DISTANCE > Various

GRADING > Moderate

OVERVIEW

Longmore Forest (part of the old SAFCOL set-up, but now managed by ‘Mountains to Oceans’) will provide you with hours of deep-forest riding.

On your bike

A seemingly endless network of gravel roads (840km according to the resident plantation manager) will put miles into your legs, with more than enough jeep-track links to keep it adventurous. Park at the Longmore offices, then head uphill along the gravel road and follow the Kings View signs for an enjoyable 90min (or up to 5-hour) circuit.

There are access rules: permanent Fat Tracks numbers must be visible on the front of your bike at all times. A permit, obtainable from Cyclo Pro or at the Longmore forest station, is required. If you’re not a Fat Tracks member, you have to purchase a permit from the forest station on the day you are riding (they open at 07:00).

Off the bike

Possibilities abound in and around Port Elizabeth.

CONTACT:

More Information: For local MTB info, contact Klaas Basson

Telephone: +27 82 889 4076

Websites: www.fattracks.co.za and www.cyclopro.co.za

Telephone: +27 41 368 7244

GPS: 33°53’28.41”S 25°8’20.85”E

Weather: {weather Jeffreys Bay, South Africa}

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Moderate

DURATION:

Anything from 2 hours to a couple of days

CONFIGURATION :

Various return or circular options

START POINT:

Forestry station

TERRAIN:

Gravel and forestry roads

MAP:

Available upon request

CELL RECEPTION: Good

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Permit available from Cyclo Pro - R10

FACILITIES:

Toilets at forest station

BEWARE OF:

Toilets at forest station

HOW TO GET THERE

From Port Elizabeth follow the N2 and head West toward Cape Town. About 23km outside Port Elizabeth take the R102 turn off to Uitenhage, and turn toward Uitenhage (North). Then after 4.5km the road will fork – take the left fork onto the R334 again toward Uitenhage. About 2.6km after the fork you will see a small gravel turn-off to the left. There is a sign board for Culturama. Follow this road for 2km to the Longmore Forestry gate.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

All year round, although summer can get hot and dusty.