Eight Bells - Rooster Trails (Closest City/Town: Mossel Bay)

Western Cape - Garden Route

Eight Bells - Rooster Trails

CLOSEST TOWN > Mossel Bay

TRAIL DESTINATION > Ruitersbosch Plantation

DISTANCE > 47km

GRADING > Intermediate

OVERVIEW

What a jol it is to discover a brand new bunch of rides in a region which has always been one of my firm favourites.
These are public roads, but with an adventurous twist and more game than you’d expect to see in a national park. Plus, with more than 600km of gravel cranking, I bet you’ll not find a better spot than this to train for your next multistage epic race.

On your bike

Head along the shoulder of the tarmac from Eight Bells Mountain Inn and turn left after 2.5km towards Botlierskop. Various routes will get you there, but keep left via ‘Big Dipper’ and then through Moordkuil’s hectic river route to this private nature reserve (23km). Head back via the Donalds Heights, Leeukloof Loop and Rooster trails for a ride sure to dial a smile onto the face of every dirt fanatic out there.

Rooster Trails:

Any route configuration can work, an option is to blast down into the valley along the Blue route. Turn left onto yellow at the dam and then climb along the less steep Red route (still near vertical). Follow the Red anti-clockwise around lookout Peak to rugby field, then go into DH mode along any number of chutes back into the valley. Also another option along the Ruitersbos Road, so explore!

Off the bike

Family fun, with anything from hikes along the Rooster trail and elephant feeding to donkey-cart rides for the kids. You won’t be able to drive past next time you’re in the area!

CONTACT:

More information: www.visitmosselbay.co.za/cycling/

For local MTB info: contact Johannes Bischoff, tel: +27 82 416 5069

Website: www.eightbells.co.za
Tel: +27 44 631 0000

GPS: 33°56.158’S 22°02.299’E

Weather:

Clear 8 ^oC
Humidity: 93%
Wind: NE at 5 mph

Mon	12 ⇒ 22 ^oC	» Chance of Rain «
Tue	13 ⇒ 20 ^oC	» Partly Sunny «
Wed	12 ⇒ 20 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Intermediate

DURATION:

2–3 hours, or a week of riding

CONFIGURATION :

Circular – 47km

START POINT:

Eight Bells Country Inn

TERRAIN:

Gravel road

MAP:

From www.visitmosselbay.co.za/cycling/

CELL RECEPTION:

Relatively good – 80% coverage

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Public access

FACILITIES:

Premier country hotel, with everything your family could desire

BEWARE OF:

Irrigation ruts on Big Dipper; flooding rivers

eight-bells-map

HOW TO GET THERE

Take the R328 north off the N2 just after Mossel Bay, and drive for just on 30km; you will see Eight Bells Country Inn on your right.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Stunning ride year-round, as the roads are well-drained; winter rain may cause slight havoc.