Homtini MTB Trail (Closest City / Town : Knysna)

Western Cape - Garden Route

Homtini MTB Trail

CLOSEST TOWN > Knysna

TRAIL DESTINATION > Homtini Plantation

DISTANCE > Circular – 19km

GRADING > Intermediate

OVERVIEW

Kick off from the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site on this awesome 19km circular route through the tranquil Homtini Forest along gravel road and singletrack.

On your bike

Homtini does not quite boast the full range of mountain-biking experiences that the Harkerville trails do, but it nonetheless offers an awesome 19km circular ride through the tranquil Homtini Forest. The trail traverses the steep mountain slopes overlooking the town of Knysna, so you can be certain of panoramic views of both the forested slopes and dramatic river gorge.

Kick off from the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site to climb along Millwood Road before hitting a sharp right about 400m from the start. This bangs you off the gravel road and straight onto 3km of singletrack traversing dense, indigenous woodland. Zigzag to your heart’s content while you bomb the tight berms and turns for a true taste of what mountain biking should be all about.

Once you’re back out into open space, head left along a network of forestry service roads and bottom out into the valley below. The time has come to kick up the work rate, so slip onto the small ring to labour your way up a steep and testing 3.5km climb. The terrain along the jeep tracks may be a bit gnarly in places, but you should win the war against gravity to summit along Portland Heights.

Continue on your anticlockwise circuit along the juddery gravel road until it eventually levels out as you approach the Jubilee intersection. Pass both the Jubilee turn-off and the Millwood turn-off as you bang along this speedy contour road, then hit a hard left into a final section of warp-speed singletrack and blast the downhill into the finish.

All in all, this is an exceptional ride, but be aware of the brutal climb and a few tight, technical sections along the descent. If Harkerville is the king of Knysna rides, Homtini competes with Petrus-se-Brand in pretending to the throne.

Off your bike

Hike the forest trails, bring your binoculars and go for trogons and touracos, or pack a picnic basket to drink in the deep-forest surround sound. The Rheenendal Ramble takes you to the artists and crafters in the area, while the coastal town of Knysna will entice you with a range of action and leisure activities. Restaurants, farm stalls, art galleries, craft outlets, delis and cafés range from the quirky and quaint to drop-dead elegant.

CONTACT:

Local MTB info: Mountain Biking Africa, tel: +27 82 783 8392

Telephone: +27 44 382 5863 or 382 5466

Website : www.knysnacycles.co.za

GPS: S33.916613° E22.958278°

Weather:

Light rain 13 ^oC
Humidity: 100%
Wind: W at 18 mph

Fri	10 ⇒ 19 ^oC	» Rain «
Sat	13 ⇒ 19 ^oC	» Chance of Rain «
Sun	15 ⇒ 21 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Easy to Intermediate

DURATION: 90 minutes

CONFIGURATION :

Circular 19km

START POINT:

Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site

TERRAIN:

Gravel road, jeep track and sizzling singletrack

MAP:

Available at Goudveld; route marked every 1km

MORE INFORMATION:

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Purchase
permit at Goudveld Forest Station entrance

FACILITIES:

Ablution facilities at
start; fairly secure parking

BEWARE OF:

Bush pig poop; singletrack
overdose on home run

homtini-map

HOW TO GET THERE

Travel east along the N2 towards Knysna and, 10km before reaching the town, turn left in the direction of Rheenendal. Drive along the tar road for about 15km before turning right towards the Goudveld / Millwood / Jubilee Creek Forest Station. Drive for 2km to an entrance boom to buy your permit, then continue for a further 2km to the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site where the trail starts.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Best time of year
As for most trails within the Knysna Forest, you need to check whether the trail is closed due to wet conditions before you set off.

Other than this, it is a trail for all seasons, with excellent riding experiences especially in spring and early summer.