more stats
3,245 ft
Distance
107 ft
Climb
-140 ft
Descent
00:03:40
Avg time
-33 ft
Altitude change
513 ft
Altitude min
653 ft
Altitude max
653 ft
Altitude start
620 ft
Altitude end
-1%
Grade
-23.5%
Grade max
67.1%
Grade min
476 ft
Distance climb
2,769 ft
Distance down
00:03:40
Avg time

Corktree Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Table Mountain National Park
    Cape Town
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    100 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 95 in E-Biking
    • 100 in Trail Running
    • 70 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #24203 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #16517 in E-Biking
    • #874 in Trail Running
    • #81296 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Land Owner
    South African National Parks

Cork Tree Trail: This multi-use blue graded trail is situated on land controlled by the Table Mountain National Park and is not part of the City of Cape Town’s Green Belt Trails. It can be ridden either as a descent or climb. As a descent, it starts just inside the Cecilia plantation section of TMNP at the Southern Cross Drive intersection with Rhodes Drive. The trail follows the line of ancient Cork Oaks and is innocuous at first. There are two lines in places, the one more technical than the other before they both descend on a smooth section to a technical rock garden that can be ridden straight at speed or more safely using the short loop on the left to avoid it. There’s no hiding from the next section though, a short climb and rock filled descent that requires good balance and brake and pedal control. After this another fast straight with optional jumps before the next feature, a river bed with a steep drop in to the left that requires careful braking or a fast drop off where air time is guaranteed to the right. In winter this is a stream so expect to get wet as you cross it. Now, climb under the Cork Oaks to the steepest climb on the trail, a slippery but smooth affair with a few roots to get over before a curving descent to the roadside on Rhodes Drive. As a climb, this is where you access the trail. Its a fun technical climb in places as you reverse some of the features that may have frightened you on the way down. This trail is bi-directional and riders need to be aware of each other as well as runners and hikers often in groups.

Access Info

For the descent, the trail starts just off Rhodes Drive at the Southern Cross Drive intersection. The climb begins on Rhodes drive at the big corner under the gums.

Disclaimer

A TMNP Level 3 Activity Permit is required to enter the Cecilia and Newlands Forest areas to cycle.

Local Trail Association

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 3 rides
  • 23.6 km average
6 Months
  • 96 rides
  • 35.1 km avg distance
All
  • 542 rides
  • Last: Sep 2, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Status:
on Jun 21, 2025
Variable
Avg: 4.32 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • Both Directions
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        Directions to corktree-trail trailhead (-34.007180, 18.417500)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        5 more »
        mtb
        272 |
        Mar 11, 2020 @ 4:22am
        Mar 11, 2020
        mtb
        246 |
        Mar 11, 2020 @ 4:22am
        Mar 11, 2020
        mtb
        229 |
        Mar 11, 2020 @ 4:22am
        Mar 11, 2020
        mtb
        243 |
        Mar 11, 2020 @ 4:22am
        Mar 11, 2020

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        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Routes with this trail

        6
        Newlands Forest - Table Mountain - Block House
        ★ 5.0 • 24 miles • 4,348 ft • 2 •
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        6
        Tokai Greenbelt to Kings Blockhouse
        29 miles • 3,951 ft • 4 •
        Easy start from Peddlars to Tokai and link up with the Keyser River trail. Ride along the Constantia...
        14
        NEWLANDS VILLAGE - GREENBELT UPPER - KIRSTENBOSCH
        15 miles • 2,501 ft • 7 • Loop •
        Short route from Newlands Village incorporating the lower Kirstenbosch Trails, Cork Tree Single Track,...
        5.0 ★★★★★
        3 Ratings
        5 ★ 100%
        4 ★
        3 ★
        2 ★
        1 ★

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        Nearby Trails

        Table Mountain National Park

        • By craig1451 & contributors
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        Frequently Asked Questions About Corktree Trail

        ▼ Where is Corktree Trail located?
        Corktree Trail is located in Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa. It is part of the Table Mountain National Park trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -34.00718, 18.4175.
        ▼ How hard is Corktree Trail?
        Corktree Trail is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 1%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Corktree Trail?
        Corktree Trail has 107 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 140 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 513 ft to 653 ft.
        ▼ Is Corktree Trail a point to point trail?
        Corktree Trail is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Corktree Trail?
        Corktree Trail is 3,245 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Corktree Trail?
        There is no information about dogs being allowed on Corktree Trail. Check with local trail managers or the trail page for the latest access rules.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Corktree Trail?
        Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Corktree Trail are:
        • January (15 activities)
        • March (12 activities)
        • December (11 activities)
        Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
        ▼ How do I access Corktree Trail? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Corktree Trail are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Corktree Trail?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 4 minutes to ride Corktree Trail. The trail is 3,245 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Corktree Trail?
        Corktree Trail is a very popular trail. There have been 8,146 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 8,451 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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