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ROUTE NAME - Deer Park, Table Mountain] |
A network of gnarly gravel roads traverse the steep slopes of Table Mountain, connecting from Tafelberg at various points. Surface is reasonable hard-pack, but loose gravel, ruts and rocks are bound to rear their ugly heads every so often.On your bike
Chelmsford Road is not the usual start to the route, but it’s nice to crank into the uphills first. From Chelmsford Road, turn left towards the city to follow a contour road running above De Waal Drive. Keep left at 1.9 km and again at 2.8 km to climb along rocky gravel roads towards the blockhouse overlooking Cape Town (4 km). Below the blockhouse, a road bears right towards Tafelberg Road, ascending steeply towards two metal gates just before you reach the tarmac (6 km). Now you’re into an easy cruise past the cable car station (11 km) before turning right onto the gravel tracks through a metal boom (11.8 km). Drop sharply and then keep right where the gravel track splits into three (12.9 km) onto a steep climb towards the cable station. Then it’s all the way downhill to Platteklip stream, where you cross a concrete causeway (15.1 km) before looping around to Deer Park. Keep right, climbing through a pine forest to a T-junction where you turn left (17.2 km) onto a level section and into the home stretch. A very loose downhill bangs you across a second stream (dry in summer) to the quarries (18.6 km), now on your right, just above the Chelmsford Road parking.
Off your bike
You’re in the heart of Cape Town, ranked fifth among the World’s Best Cities by Travel and Leisure magazine. Stunning shops, restaurants, beaches, museums and historical monuments abound. Start off by visiting the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Take a trip to Robben Island, chill out on sunny Clifton Beach or go wild on Table Mountain with its many hiking trails, climbs and abseils. The cable car’s the easy way up and down but no bikes allowed.
- GRADING: Moderate riding, although the climbs are difficult and will test you
- DURATION:
- CONFIGURATION : A circular-cum-return ride with various route options
- START POINT: Various drop-ins along Tafelberg Road; also from Deer Park boom entrance
- TERRAIN: Mostly gravel, but occasional concrete dual track section; rutted in places
- MAP: Maps of gravel roads / trails are available from the curio shop at Cable Car Station
- MORE INFORMATION:
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Riders must be in possession of a Go Wild / Go Green Card
- FACILITIES: Reasonably safe parking along Tafelberg Road; café and ablutions at lower Cable Car station
- BEWARE OF: Dog walkers; tourist busses on Tafelberg Road
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