Wheels of Time Trail
146 kilometres in 4 days:
As its name suggests the Wheels of Time trail, one of five trails in the Cape West Coast Biosphere, is a back road cycling trip from Mamre to Darling, Elandsfontein Farm, the West Coast National Park and !Khwa Ttu.
Aimed more at recreational cyclists than Absa Cape Epic trainees, the mountain bike ride traces the secondary roads of the West Coast, with varying destinations and overnight stops. You can be assured of incredible scenery and fun, but at times challenging, cycling. The trail can be divided up into two weekends if you can't manage the four day trip. Day one takes you from Cape Town in a support vehicle and heads up the coast to Atlantis, following the 'blue gum avenue' to the Mamre Moravian Mission Station, where you breakfast. Choose your bike and kit and you're off on a journey across historic farmsteads to Darling, home of artists, wine, olives and flowers. Overnight in town and have dinner and a show at Evita se Peron.
The second day takes one from Darling to Elandsfontein along the gravel roads of the eastern Darling hills, past the Hildebrandt Monument and on. At Elandsfontein in the dunes there are fossils of three-toed horses and short-necked giraffe.
Day three is from Elandsfontein to Duinepos in the West Coast National Park, a 30 km cycle down to the R27 and across, entering the park at Gate 2. Cycle through the park, followed by lunch and an afternoon choice of scouring nearby dunes for fossils, or exploring Kraalbaai, place of Eve's footprint and a great swimming spot.
The last day takes one to !Kwha Ttu after a cycle through the West Coast National Park, keeping an eye out for wild ostrich, snakes and tortoises. You now have time to explore the San Cultural Centre before lunch.
Contact Details:
To book or enquire about trails:+27 (0)86 187-2457
Cape West Coast Biosphere Central Office:+27 (0)22 492-2750
Where to Stay?
For accommodation before or after your adventure on the Wheels of Time Trail, see Darling Accommodation (with preview images and description) or consider Darling Hotels (ranging from 3-5 star). If you prefer to do it the self catering way, you will find our list of Darling Self Catering options useful. Also see Cape West Coast Accommodation and Cape West Coast Hotels for overnight options in surrounding towns.
Cape West Coast Trails
Cape West Coast Biosphere Trails
The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) is a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of only 6 in South Africa and just over 600 world-wide. It extends from Diep River in Milnerton in the south, to the Berg River of Velddrif in the north, Malmesbury/Moreesberg in the east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the ... more information
Berg River Canooze
The Berg River Canooze, one of five trails that take place within the Cape West Coast Biosphere, is a relatively easy downstream kayak from Hopefield to Velddrif, with farm stays en route. The emphasis of this trail is on relaxation. There are no rapids and all of it is downstream ... more information
Darling Stagger
One of five slackpacking trails in the Cape West Coast Biosphere, the Darling Stagger emphasises food and wine, together with a walk and a cycle that allow one to experience the surrounds of the gorgeous town of Darling. The trail follows a route once walked by both the short-necked giraffe ... more information
Eve's Trail
The theme of this trail, as the name suggests, is walking in the footsteps of Eve, who is regarded as the mother of all human life. The spectacular scenery and lack of human activity gives one an idea of what it must have been like to be governed only by the sun, the stars and the tides. The idea is that ... more information
Five Bay Trail
The trail starts with a late afternoon stroll along the beaches of Paternoster as far as 'Tweede Mosselbank' (named such by local fishermen) and on to dinner at a local restaurant. Day two takes one through the fishing village of Paternoster along the beach to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and ... more information
Doing the Wheels of Time Trail?
Also see Things To Do in the Cape West Coast or check out Things To Do in Cape Town & Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, hiking trails, sports, arts & crafts and many, many more.
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