This is the most popular tour for beginners
• Start is close to N2 easy to find 15 mins from Gordon’s bay
• No licence required on this trail

Approximate Time: Three and a Half Hour Tour

Tour Includes:

The trail travels through pine forests, indigenous wetlands, crossing rivers, passing lakes and spectacular fynbos plant habitat, offering a varied riding route.

• Visits to venues of real interest, Gantouw Pass original 150 Year trek wagon route prior to the building of Sir Lowry's Pass and visiting diverse habitat areas of interest
• Overview of organic farming in our valley
• High quality picnic lunch at a waterfall and coffee and refreshments en route included
• No license required

Approximate Time: 5- 6 Hours trail riding

R500 per person for passengers, including lunch

Kids 8 and under travel free of charge

This trail sets off through forest, crossing a couple of rivers and climbs steadily up to the Gantouw or Eland Pass, the original wagon route of the Dutch and British settlers, over the Mountains of Africa, so called in the old days. This route was used for 150 years and following the migratory Eland, one of the oldest and steepest and most treacherous passes in the Western Cape. Even today one can still see the deep gouges in the rocks, made by the brakes of the wagons, as they descended the precipitous pass down through what is now Somerset West from the lush grazing area of the Elgin Valley. The signal canon system of the old Cape Settlers can be seen as we take a short walk to the top of the pass. Surrounded by unusual rock formations formed from the Cape Fold mountain system can also be photographed. The pass was declared a National Monument in 1958.

We hop on the Ranger, drive through two valleys of rich pristine Fynbos at the base of Hans-se-kop and take a further walk along a river where unusual Restios and Ericoide families can be photographed. Hopping back on the ranger we ascend the steep climb to

the Hans-se-kop Mountain, ascending to ±1200m above sea level to one of the most spectacular views in the southern hemisphere, unique views of False Bay and the Kogelberg Mt Range to the far South. There you can see the two oceans, Indian and Atlantic quite clearly. This trail passes through one of the hot spot bird watching sights.

We have taken great care and attention to access the best possible routes for visitors. The tours are professionally run and by in large most say the highlight of their holiday.

Morning tour: 08h00 sharp in summer (Nov – March) and 09h30 in winter (Apr – Oct)

Children under 8yrs: Free of charge
Children 8-12: ½ price

Kids under 8 years: R100
Kids under 12 years: Half price

Transfers can be arranged from Cape Town Airport or Cape Town city with max four riders per tour.

You will not be required to produce a bike license for this tour.

The Bikes:

I have many years of multi terrain riding behind me. I have chosen to use Suzuki 250cc’s and the DR 200cc imported direct from Japan. These choices were made for the following reasons:

When riding variable terrain, semi-fit riders become quite tired, especially on the longer three day and four day trails. On large unwieldy machines it increases the sore arms, sore shoulders feeling, been there done that, and mistakes are made most often when tired. Need I say more?

The weight of the machine plays a major role with correction technique on more technical sections. They bikes we use weigh in at around 125 -130 kg with fuel and are easily manageable. Comfort is not usually well catered for on small machines so I have special air seats mounted on the bikes for riders, affording much comfort especially for the longer trails. (Problem solved)

The bikes may not sound powerful yet they are six speed overhead cams with polished valves providing excellent torque at slow speeds, smooth throttle, quiet running and are vibration free. Many riders have travelled down through Africa with this machine; they are capable of up 130 km per hour, should it be necessary. Most of the tours I take are scenic tours not endurance races.

Most bike riders enjoy these bikes immensely as they are safe, reliable, and great fun. I use trail tyres that are eco friendly at pressures that give safe grip on the technical sections. These machines are remarkably capable for the type of tours I run. We carry a GPS, radio comm. for each rider, a top box and a small tank bag for essentials.

Day 2 starts around 09h00, after a hearty breakfast. Mount up and ride the highlands route - high mountain jeep tracks with sea views & spectacular Cape scenery. The trail took some two years in planning to give you a unique world class ride. You are taken across rivers, through forests and flower fields. This is truly an unforgettable experience. You will arrive back at Nature House, Elgin Grabouw Country Club around 16h30 on day two.

Transfers from Cape Town Airport or city can be arranged, with max four riders per tour.
You will need to produce a current bike license for the two day trail

The Bikes:

Location:  Elgin Valley (On the way to Hermanus, from Cape Town on the N2 over Sir Lowry’s pass).