Red Hill (Closest City/Town: Simon's Town)

Western Cape - Cape Peninsula & Winelands

Red Hill MTB Route

CLOSEST TOWN > Simon’s Town

TRAIL DESTINATION > Table Mountain National Park

DISTANCE > 18km

GRADING > Moderate (extreme sand in summer)

OVERVIEW

Red Hill will never rate up there with the likes of Tokai, but as it is within easy reach of Cape Town, it makes
sense for the MTB crowd to know where and what it is. Start from Pinehaven Village along a tarred road, descending gently past an old farmhouse before turning left (2.5km) towards Lewis Gay Dam.

On your bike

Start off on a quiet tarred road, descending along a gentle slope past an old farm house and then turn left at the 2.5km mark towards Lewis Gay Dam (no idea who he was). Pass through a metal boom and a National Parks sign below the dam wall, climbing along a steep and sandy jeep track. At 3.3km, turn right and crank along a gnarly downhill section, across a stream and then on to the Elsies River. Cross the recently built wooden bridge and, sticking to the main gravel road, climb back out of the valley.

You’re now technically in the Solole Nature Reserve and will reach a T-junction at the top of the hill (6.5km) where you turn right. Follow the eroded track down and then up onto a sandy plateau before cranking in between some sandstone peaks. This speedy section brings you to the Glencairn Expressway – either head back the way you came, or complete a circular route via Glencairn and up Red Hill on tar road.

Off the bike

The Peninsula wine routes are superb, and Cape Point Vineyards is a must for anyone in search of an excellent coastal sauvignon blanc. Surfing at Noordhoek Beach, camel riding at Imhoff and sea kayaking at Boulders are a few other outdoor options. The fynbos biome rates as the world’s richest floral kingdom with protea trees, erica shrubs and restios grasses, and it has just been declared a World Heritage site, so get out there and enjoy.

CONTACT:

Website: www.theglenlodgeandpub.co.za
Tel: +27 21 7820314/5

GPS: 34º10’58.64”S 18º24’52.96”E

Weather:

Fog 7 ^oC
Humidity: 87%
Wind: N at 1 mph

Mon	11 ⇒ 19 ^oC	» Partly Sunny «
Tue	14 ⇒ 21 ^oC	» Partly Sunny «
Wed	12 ⇒ 18 ^oC	» Mostly Sunny «

ACCOMMODATION:

ad-redhill-wide ad-redhill1 ad-redhill2

The Glen Lodge and Pub

This 107-year old Glencairn Hotel now restored and known again fondly as The Glen Lodge and Pub is a perfect start / end point for the Redhill route. A Warm and friendly welcome awaits you. Fabulous stay over for whale watching (in season), cyclist, kite surfers, hikers, beach goers, or any one exploring the Cape Point Route. Featuring 10 rooms, restaurant and 2 pubs. Phone Grete 021 782 0215 or 082 7334400.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Moderate (extreme sand in summer)

DURATION:

2 hours

CONFIGURATION :

18km return option

START POINT:

Pinehaven Village

TERRAIN:

4km Tar, 6km Gravel Road, 2km Jeep Track

MAP:

3418AB & AD Kaapse Skiereiland 1:50 000 (1992)

CELL RECEPTION:

Signal intermittent

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

A Wild Card from SANParks
loaded with an annual MTB permit

FACILITIES:

Parking on grass next to Pinehaven Village

red-hill-map

BEWARE OF:

Baboons and snakes; thick sand. Don’t ride this in summer – serious masochists only

HOW TO GET THERE

Follow the M3 towards Simon’s Town and turn right onto Red Hill 1km before reaching the village. After 4km, turn right at the top of the hill, at the sign to Brooklands Water Treatment Plant. Pinehaven is immediately on your right.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Winter is fun, when the sand is compacted.