Banhoek: A Symphony of Singletrack
Introduction
Situated on the slopes below Dragoon Peak in the Drakenstein mountains, and opposite the majestic Simonsberg mountain (famous for hosting the legendary DarkFest event at Vuurberg), the Banhoek Conservancy is located on the Bethlehem Plaas. Although the area is sometimes referred to as Bethlehem Plaas, it is more widely known as Banhoek.
Banhoek is a mountain biking paradise that stands out among Cape Town’s MTB trail systems. Known for its exquisitely maintained trails, breathtaking views, and expertly crafted features, Banhoek has earned its reputation as a premier destination—not just among local riders, but among international visitors too. Whether you’re an advanced mountain biker or a weekend warrior looking for adventure, Banhoek promises an unforgettable ride in a breathe-taking setting.
Scenery and Atmosphere
The scenery at the Banhoek Conservancy is nothing short of extraordinary. Picture vibrant fynbos carpeting rolling hills under wide blue skies, with dramatic mountain peaks rising all around.
The trails themselves are just as impressive as the landscape. Painstakingly designed and built to fully maximise the mountain biking experience, Banhoek’s trails are the perfect blend of flow, challenge and immense fun. If you are wanting to experience wine tasting or lunch after your ride, there are ablution facilities available, including a shower, to freshen up. And when you’re ready to relax, perhaps head over to the nearby Banhoek Chilli Oil Company for a well-deserved lunch or cold beer or visit any of the wine farms in the area - the options are discussed later in the article.
The Trails
Banhoek is home to three main descent trails, each offering a unique experience for riders:
Klipwerf (1km descent*): The ascent to Klipwerf is a hard pack magical carpet ride called Escalator. The trail gently meanders up the mountain slope through a lush abundance of protea trees and fynbos. The Klipwerf descent is packed with stunning, manicured features including optional jumps, small drop-offs and two wood panel berms that’ll have you whooping with joy and excitement.
The trail is located on the southern side (right side) of the Banhoek enclosure. To get there, take the (Cape) Cobra ascent. Note, there are a few trail splits on this trail and you simply need to choose the right ones. that is, not the left ones.
Cobra (1.5 km descent*): Nestled between Klipwerf and Afterburn, the Cape Cobra is a low gradient, but super-fast, flow trail designed for speed and absolute pleasure. The trail features a plethora of (rollable) small jumps scattered along the length of the trail and is a great place to perfect your jumping technique.
The Cobra trail is the perfect link between Klipwerf and Afterburn. For the most part, stay left at the trail splits, except at the end, after the wooden bridge. Turn right after the bridge, at the fence, to reach Afterburn or continue straight to head back to the car park.
Afterburn (1km descent*): On the northern side of the Banhoek trail system, is Afterburn. To reach the start of Afterburn, head up the Elevator climb. The climb is relatively short and pretty easy. Afterburn is a fast flowing trail that features big berms, loads of table top jumps, a sloping wooden bridge, a couple of optional drop-offs and one fairly substantial, but optional, gap jump at the very end.
Recommendation: The trails are quite short so the trick for distance is to run loops. Since the climbs are relatively easy, and not very steep, head on back up and repeat each section a few times. The more you ride these trails, the more you get to know them and the more fun you'll gave on each run.
Suggested Ride Option: On a typical ride I'll loop Klipwerf 3 or 4 times, then head down Cobra and over to Afterburn. I'll do Afterburn 3 or 4 times and then return up the Cobra ascent and finish off with one more run of the Cobra descent.
*Distances are approximate.
Location & Access
Banhoek Conservancy is located just outside Stellenbosch, over the Helshoogte Pass, adjacent to the suburb of Kylemore. From Stellenbosch take the R310, Helshoogte Road. The drive alone is worth the trip for the scenic views. At the venue there is typically an abundance of safe parking available, and there’s little need to worry about crowds—the area is generally wonderfully secluded.
An access permit is required to enter the trails, with a fee of R100. Payment options are limited to Snapscan and Zapper, so be sure to have your one of these payment app's installed and configured, and your phone ready. Alternatively, purchase your permit at the kiosk at the gate of the Banhoek Chilli Oil Company compound.
What to Bring / Prepare
When riding at Banhoek, it’s important to be well-prepared. If you’re joining one of our guided tours with Cape Adventures, you’ll be provided with everything you need, including a high-quality full-suspension mountain bike, a helmet, gloves, a water bottle, a puncture repair kit and sunscreen. While gloves and body protection are optional, a good-quality MTB helmet is compulsory for your safety. If you’re riding on your own, it’s recommended to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and energy snacks, as well as your own repair tools in case of a mechanical issue on the trail.
More Than Just Bikes
Banhoek is more than just a mountain biking destination. The area is rich with other attractions that make it worth spending an entire day, or even a weekend. After your ride, explore some of the nearby wine estates, such as Delaire Graff Estate, Tokara Wine Estate, Thelema Mountain Vineyard, Clouds Estate, Le Pommier Wines, and Zorgvliet Wine Estate. Boschendal, a little further towards Franschhoek, is another great destination.
Banhoek is not just limited to mountain biking. It also offers spectacular hiking trails, like the Waterfall Hike, and trail running options.
Banhoek: Your Singletrack Symphony Awaits
Banhoek is much more than a collection of trails—it’s a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class mountain biking, trail running and hiking, breathtaking views and the chance to truly disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. Contact us at Cape Adventures and book a ride at this spectacular venue. Else, if you’re already equipped, pack your gear, embrace the adventure and let Banhoek whisper its song of trail joy into your soul.
Parking lot map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SfnpfobaMM4NnzBk8
Co-ordinates: 33.915587, 18.953132
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