Rhodes Memorial MTB Network

The network of mountain bike trails on the slopes surrounding Rhodes Memorial represents one of Cape Town’s greatest outdoor assets — a web of jeep tracks, singletrack and forest paths threading through Table Mountain National Park land on the lower flanks of Devil’s Peak and the Constantia mountains, all freely accessible from multiple entry points within 20 minutes of the city centre.

The Network

The trails around Rhodes Memorial link into the broader Cape Town trail system: northward into the Constantia Greenbelt and the legendary Diep River and Cecilia Forest trails, southward toward Kirstenbosch and Newlands Forest, and upward into the higher TMNP trails toward Plum Pudding Hill, King’s Blockhouse and the upper plateau. The Rhodes Gate to Plum Pudding Hill route is one of the most popular and heavily ridden MTB routes in the country — fast jeep track climbs alternating with singletrack descents and extraordinary views of the Cape Flats and Table Bay.

The trails are multi-directional and multi-use, shared with trail runners and hikers. Riders are expected to yield to other users and to follow directional trail signage where it exists. The network has been used as the ABSA Cape Epic Prologue venue on multiple occasions — a recognition of the trail quality and the iconic setting of the memorial overlook.

The Setting

Rhodes Memorial itself — the grand granite monument designed by Herbert Baker on Cecil Rhodes’ favourite spot on the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak — offers one of the finest north-facing views in Cape Town, looking across the Cape Flats toward the Drakenstein mountains. The Tea Room below the memorial is a popular post-ride stop.

Getting There

Rhodes Memorial is accessed from the M3 De Waal Drive, or via the upper UCT campus roads. GPS for car park: -33.9522, 18.4584. Parking is free. Alternatively, start from Newlands Forest car park or the Kirstenbosch lower gate for different entry points into the network.

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