25.5 miles
Distance
2,705 ft
Climb
-2,706 ft
Descent
1,707 ft
High Point

A 3Rivers Trails Permit is required to access this route. See the 3 Rivers Trails website for permit details.

The Forts. With an abundance of history and several incredible features along the way, the newly marked Forts route provides trail users with a 41km route with approximately 1000m elevation and is clearly marked with a bright green arrow.

The Forts route starts by ascending Ox Wagon Pass and taking a right turn just before the climb to the Ox Wagon bench. It then continues around towards the back of Ox Wagon, past the red and black turn into Ox Wagon and towards the back of the Longmore Tower. This scenic route takes trail users past two historic forts, built during the Anglo-Boer War, the upper Van Stadens Dam, a beautiful waterfall and pool and the original Van Stadens Dam caretaker’s cottage which is home to the original Ox Wagon which was used during the Anglo-Boer War.

source: https://3riverstrails.co.za/new-route-the-forts/
Detailed Description
3Rivers: The Forts is a 26 mile popular expert route located near Thornhill. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 8 trails. This route climbs 2,705 ft with a max elevation of 1,707 ft then descends -2,706 ft.
Route Supporters

Links

Local Trail Association
Local trail association
3Rivers Trails (3riverstrails.co.za)
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Trails in Route

CVF 0061 mile
Oxwagon Pass2 miles
LF 0161,427 ft
OWP 0041,096 ft
OWP 0031,732 ft
Cool Runnings3,566 ft
Dambuster Climb367 ft
Puttergill Lane1 mile

Details

  • Riding area
    Crossways (3Rivers Trails)
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Hard
More Stats for 3Rivers: The Forts mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    782 ft
  • Altitude start
    795 ft
  • Altitude end
    794 ft
  • Grade max
    -38.3%
  • Grade min
    24.9%
  • Distance climb
    12 miles
  • Distance down
    11 miles
  • Distance flat
    2 miles
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Cool Runnings
Dec 3, 2022 @ 9:39pm
Dec 3, 2022
Dambuster Climb
Mar 26, 2022 @ 11:15am
Mar 26, 2022
Oxwagon Pass
Feb 13, 2022 @ 8:25am
Feb 13, 2022
CVF 006
Sep 23, 2021 @ 10:35pm
Sep 23, 2021
Puttergill Lane
Sep 23, 2021 @ 10:35pm
Sep 23, 2021
more reports »
  • By dustrider1 & contributors
  • #33984 - 232 views