This route mainly follows gravel roads, forestry roads and fire breaks in the pine plantation. This mapped route is but one of hundreds of route options in this forest.
Distance 30km and more
Single Track 0%
Jeep Track 17%
Gravel Road 83%
Tar 0%
Un-ridable 0%
Highest Point 566m
Lowest Point 246m
Total Ascent 712m
Fun Factor 7/10
Aerobic Factor 8/10
Short Description Pine plantation exploration between the mountains.
Technical Difficulty Not technical at all. Nice and winding jeep track.
Aerobic Difficulty There are no flats in Longmore!
Getting There:
First of all you have to get yourself to Port Elizabeth. Then find your way to the N2 and head West toward Cape Town. Then about 23km outside Port Elizabeth (after moving past the last suburbs) take the R102 turn off to Uitenhage, and turn toward Uitenhage (North). Then after 4.5km the road will fork – take the left fork onto the R334 again toward Uitenhage. The 2.6km after the fork you will see a small gravel turn-off to the left. There is a sign board for Culturama. Follow this road for 2km to the Longmore Forestry gate. Here you will have to show your entry permit, which you can purchase from CycloPro in Port Elizabeth. It costs around R10 per person.
Route Description:
This route mainly follows gravel roads, forestry roads and fire breaks in the pine plantation. This mapped route is but one of hundreds of route options in this forest. Most people you ask will tell you to just go ride, but if you are not super fit, make a few navigational errors and are not prepared to spend many hours in the saddle, that advise might end in tears! As there are literally hundreds of kilometers of routes in this plantation. And the hills are just high enough that you never really can get a big picture feel for where you are. So if you are like me, and want to have all the fun without getting horribly lost and dehydrated. Go with someone that knows their way, or, use this map. I am working on another map for routes on the Western side of the forest.
But in short, this route keeps to the main route that cuts through the centre of the forest, with 2 little loops through rougher terrain to keep things interesting, and the views worth coming back for. So if you are looking to do some hard off road kilometers, then the Longmore Forest Mountain biking trails are for you!
Contact Details
- Website: www.easterncapemountainbiking.co.za
