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SaveEselfontein, the oldest working farm in the famous Ceres Valley, practices mixed farming with apples, peaches, pears, grains & dairy, and yes, trail running and mountain biking.
Surrounded by the majestic Skurwe and Matroosberg mountains, Eselfontein’s rugged natural landscape include beautiful rock formations, perennial waterfalls, proteas, fynbos and an abundance of indigenous wildlife such as the suurpootjie tortoise, leopard, fish eagle and many other birds, baboon and buck. The Breede River, which has its source in the mountains above Eselfontein, flows through the farm into our beautiful dam next to the Eselfontein Eco Huts.
The true magic of Eselfontein lies in the variety and quality of purpose-built single-track trails, designed specifically for mountain biking and trail running. Whether you get your kicks from lung-busting climbs, breathtaking views, long fast descents, flowing and/or technical single-track trails, or just a mellow cruise through the orchards, Eselfontein has your number
Eselfontein offers a variety of accommodation options including basic camping; the rustic yet comfortable Eselfontein Eco Huts; and the more upmarket Eselfontein Guest House. Please see the links below for more information and contact details.
Day visitors are also welcome
Surrounded by the majestic Skurwe and Matroosberg mountains, Eselfontein’s rugged natural landscape include beautiful rock formations, perennial waterfalls, proteas, fynbos and an abundance of indigenous wildlife such as the suurpootjie tortoise, leopard, fish eagle and many other birds, baboon and buck. The Breede River, which has its source in the mountains above Eselfontein, flows through the farm into our beautiful dam next to the Eselfontein Eco Huts.
The true magic of Eselfontein lies in the variety and quality of purpose-built single-track trails, designed specifically for mountain biking and trail running. Whether you get your kicks from lung-busting climbs, breathtaking views, long fast descents, flowing and/or technical single-track trails, or just a mellow cruise through the orchards, Eselfontein has your number
Eselfontein offers a variety of accommodation options including basic camping; the rustic yet comfortable Eselfontein Eco Huts; and the more upmarket Eselfontein Guest House. Please see the links below for more information and contact details.
Day visitors are also welcome
source: ...
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
eBikes Allowed:
Yes
Land Status: Private Property
Land Manager: Eselfontein Farm
google parking directions Access Info:
Leave Ceres on the R46. After 500m, turn left onto the Eselfontein Road. The farm is 11km down this road.
Disclaimer:
For more information, accommodation options and reservations, please follow the Eselfontein Website link below.
Day visitors are also welcome. A R20.00 Day Fee is payable at Erika's Kafee at 25 Voortrekker Street, Ceres, 6835. Their phone number is +27 (0)23 312 2278.
Day visitors are also welcome. A R20.00 Day Fee is payable at Erika's Kafee at 25 Voortrekker Street, Ceres, 6835. Their phone number is +27 (0)23 312 2278.
Links
- Eselfontein Getaway Website
- Eselfontein Guest House
- Eselfontein Eco Huts
- Eselfontein Facebook
- Eselfontein Directory Entry
- Eselfontein Photo Gallery
Files
Trail info last updated
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
48 trails
- E-Bike
46 trails
- Hike
54 trails
- Trail Running
54 trails
Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 54
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 48
- Trails E-Bike
- 46
- Trails Gravel Bike
- 29
- Trails Adaptive Bike
- 12
- Trails Winter Fat Bike
- 25
- Trails Hike
- 54
- Trails Trail Running
- 54
- Total Distance
- 52 miles
- Total Descent
- 5,511 ft
- Total Vertical
- 1,681 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 3,366 ft
- Reports
- 59
- Photos
- 4
- Completed Counter
- 2,378
Popular Eselfontein Mountain Biking Trails
• 80 ★ 3.0 • 4,177 ft • 8 ft • 107 •
Popular green difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 8 ft green climb. Trail visibility is always easy to follow. On average it takes 4 minutes to complete this trail.
• 100 ★ 2.0 • 2 miles • 589 ft • 100 •
Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used uphill primary and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 589 ft blue climb. On average it takes 24 minutes to complete this trail.
• 85 ★ 5.0 • 2 miles • 59 ft • 95 •
Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail can be used downhill primary and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 59 ft blue climb. On average it takes 7 minutes to complete this trail.
• 95 ★ 4.0 • 2 miles • 83 ft • 94 •
A fun filled technical rocky descent, typical of the Eselfontein trail system.
• 100 ★ 0.0 • 2,415 ft • 3 ft • 92 •
Popular green difficulty singletrack. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 3 ft green climb. On average it takes 3 minutes to complete this trail.
• 95 ★ 3.5 • 5 miles • 506 ft • 91 •
Done on its own this will feel easy but after 40km it can be quite challenging. This lovely wide trail alternates between rocks and sandy sections as it meanders around the lower slopes of the Hex River mountains passing two dams.
• 90 ★ 0.0 • 5 miles • 904 ft • 88 •
A lovely green graded climb that never feels too steep or tight thanks to the generous trail width and wide corners. Views are superb.
• 90 ★ 3.8 • 1 mile • 30 ft • 88 •
A fun stretch of Esel's singletrack that includes the famous rocky rock drop roll around two thirds of the way down.
Eselfontein Mountain Bike Routes
Eselfontein Route A - 14 Miles Featured
14 miles • 1,639 ft • 14 • Loop •
This Route includes the Northern trails such as Tortoise or Turtle, Death Drop & Philips Creek and Red...
Eselfontein Route C - 14 Miles Featured
14 miles • 1,034 ft • 24 • Loop •
The Eselfontein Route C is a moderately easy Route which includes some awesome mixed and singletrack...
Eselfontein Route B - 15 Miles Featured
15 miles • 2,019 ft • 25 • Loop •
Eselfontein Route B is a more demanding ROute and includes the more demanding and Pipeline sections. It...
20 miles • 1,865 ft • 7 • Out & Back •
This Route was incorrectly mapped as a trail. The "Trail was deleted and the GPX added here as a Route.
68 miles • 6,614 ft • 14 • Loop •
This is the Stage 1 Route for the 2020 Cape Epic.
36 miles • 4,424 ft • 20 • Loop •
This is the Eselfontein Master Route incorporating all three great loops.
Photos of Eselfontein Mountain Bike
Videos of Eselfontein Mountain Bike
mtb
8:24 |
403 |
Feb 10, 2020
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eselfontein Dam Loop | Sep 23, 2025 @ 11:50am (Africa/Johannesburg) Sep 23, 2025 | Ideal | headshot TokaiMTB | ||
| Tortoise or Turtle | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| ST 9 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| ST 8 Connector | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| ST 7 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| Service Road 10 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| Service Road 9 (North Loop) | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| Service Road 8 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| Service Road 7 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks | ||
| Service Road 6 | Mar 18, 2021 @ 7:51pm Mar 18, 2021 | Ideal | WillieJacobsz Trailforks |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| headshot | vote | trail | activity #80940678 and 1 more | Sep 23, 2025 @ 2:52am Sep 23, 2025 |
| headshot | add | report | activity #80940589 | Sep 23, 2025 @ 2:50am Sep 23, 2025 |
| headshot | ridden | trail | activity #80940226 and 6 more | Sep 23, 2025 @ 2:30am Sep 23, 2025 |
| headshot | wishlist | region | activity #79754557 | Sep 6, 2025 @ 8:01am Sep 6, 2025 |
| Tertiusu37eCv | ridden | route | activity #68625858 | Mar 29, 2025 @ 9:18am Mar 29, 2025 |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | Nice trail with some rocky single track and... | Dec 31, 2023 @ 7:54am Dec 31, 2023 |
Nearby Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Casino Trail Network | 6 | 1 | 15.1 km | ||
| Wor | 3 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 15.2 km |
| Kaleo Guest Farm | 18.1 km | ||||
| Tulbagh MTB Trails | 4 | 19 | 18.6 km | ||
| Slanghoek Cellars Mountain Biking Trails | 6 | 7 | 1 | 19.4 km |
Local Badges
-
Completionist0 awarded
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | activity logs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 48 | 51 miles | 5,220 ft | 19 miles | 1,680 ft | #7,393 | #118 | 4 | 59 | 8 | 463 | |
| E-Bike | 46 | 50 miles | 5,184 ft | 19 miles | 1,680 ft | #2,566 | #95 | 12 | 4 | 60 | ||
| Gravel Bike | 29 | 16 miles | 581 ft | 4 miles | 1,535 ft | #5,500 | #93 | 2 | ||||
| Adaptive Bike | 12 | 8 miles | 180 ft | 1 mile | 1,532 ft | #5,509 | #93 | 13 | ||||
| Winter Fat Bike | 25 | 14 miles | 489 ft | 3 miles | 443 ft | #5,500 | #93 | |||||
| Hike | 54 | 52 miles | 5,512 ft | 20 miles | 1,680 ft | #3,820 | #86 | 59 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Trail Running | 54 | 52 miles | 5,512 ft | 20 miles | 1,680 ft | #2,952 | #82 | 59 | 2 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Eselfontein?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in Eselfontein are:
- Redbull (4.1/5)
- Baboons Highway (4.1/5)
- Death Drop & Phillips Creek (4/5)
- Blackbull (4/5)
- Dead Man Walking (4/5)
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Where can I park to ride in Eselfontein?
There are 1 parking locations listed in Eselfontein. The most popular parking spots are:
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What is the longest trail in Eselfontein?
The longest trail in Eselfontein is Tortoise or Turtle at 5.3 miles. View all trails sorted by distance.
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What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Eselfontein?
The best hiking trails in Eselfontein are: View all hiking trails sorted by popularity score.
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What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Eselfontein?
The best trail running trails in Eselfontein are: View all trail running trails sorted by popularity score.
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How many trails are in Eselfontein?
Eselfontein has a total of 54 trails. Of those, 48 are designated for mountain biking. Browse top mountain biking trails in Eselfontein to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
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Which trail has the most elevation gain in Eselfontein?
The trail with the most elevation gain in Eselfontein is Dead Man Walking with 1,231 ft of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
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Which trail has the most elevation descent in Eselfontein?
The trail with the most elevation descent in Eselfontein is Death Drop & Phillips Creek with 766 ft of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
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What activities are most popular in Eselfontein?
Eselfontein supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Hiking, Trail Running.
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What bike services are there in Eselfontein?
The following bike services are available in Eselfontein:
- Trail Association (1)
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What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Eselfontein?
The steepest mountain biking trail in Eselfontein is Dead Man Walking with an average grade of 7.1%. View all trails sorted by grade.
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Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Eselfontein?
Yes, there are 1 scenic viewpoints marked along trails in Eselfontein. Some popular viewpoints include: Explore more points of interest to find trails with the best views.
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Are the trails open in Eselfontein?
The overall region status for Eselfontein is Clear / Green. Out of 46 trails:
- Clear / Green: 46
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Can I ride an ebike in Eselfontein?
Yes, Eselfontein supports e-bike riding. There are 44 trails in Eselfontein that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
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What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Eselfontein?
The most popular mountain biking routes in Eselfontein are: View all mountain biking routes in Eselfontein.
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What are the most popular Strava Segments in Eselfontein?
The most popular Strava segments in Eselfontein are:
- Shapiros 2020 (ex bit snaffled for field) (1,604 athletes)
- N1 Climb (1,254 athletes)
- Damb track (1,224 athletes)
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Are there local clubs or events in Eselfontein?
There are 1 local clubs or associations listed in the Eselfontein directory. Browse the local directory for details.
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What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Eselfontein?
The most popular mountain biking trails in Eselfontein are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by popularity.
▼
What are the best beginner ride trails in Eselfontein?
The best beginner mountain biking trails in Eselfontein are:
- Eselfontein Dam Loop (3.5/5)
- Enchanted Forest (3/5)
- Blair Witch Forest (4/5)
Activities
Trails
Points of Interest
- By WillieJacobsz
Trailforks SBP SWW & contributors - Admins: apply
- #8428 - 5,173 views
- eselfontein activity log | embed map of Eselfontein mountain bike trails | eselfontein mountain biking points of interest polygons
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