The Cape Peninsula Wagon Trail Route

From Constantia Shopping Centre to Hout Bay via the Constantia Greenbelts, Chapmans Peak, Noorhoek, Old Wagon Trail, Noorhoek Peaks, Tokai Trails, Constantia Wine farms and then finishing at one of the coffee shops in Constantia.

This route encompasses the Southern part of the cape Peninsula. Chapman’s Peak is one the most scenic drives (cycles) in the world and home to the famous Two Oceans marathon and Argus Cycle Tour. From the top of Noordhoek Peak, on a good day, one enjoys the most stunning views of the peninsula all the way through to Cape Point. We will cycle through a few of the most beautiful and oldest cape wine farms on our return route. These farms are not open to the public for cycling, but I have a private arrangement allowing me to take private groups through them. On this route we will have some tar road from Hout Bay to the start of the wagon trail. This route is mostly on Jeep track with about 1300 m of climbing but some good single track when descending the slopes of the Contantiaberg into the Constantia Valley where we will complete our ride at one of the coffee shops.

Most of this route is non technical but with some big climbs meaning big descents which must be ridden with caution. The total distance is about 60 kilometers with about 1300 meters of climbing. There are various escape routes if anyone would like to cut this ride shorter.

ROUTE STOPS:

• Top of Chapman’s Peak for photographs
• Noorhoek farm village for breakfast
• Top of wagon trail for photographs
• Silver mine dam for snacks

Most of this route is off road however there are sections of tar road where it is essential to cycle in single file and to be aware of traffic even though these sections of tar road are extremely popular with both road and mountain bikers. Moderate skill levels and good fitness levels are required.

The Silvermine Nature Reserve forms a part of the Table Mountain National Park, a protected conservation area, located approximately ten minutes drive from the city centre. There are over 900 species of fynbos plants to be found in the reserve, made up mainly of Proteas, Ericas and Restios. There are a variety of animals such as the caracal, Cape grysbokke, porcupine, large spotted genets and mongoose. For the keen cycling birder there is a is fantastic variety of birds a few being the Familiar Chat, both Cape and Sentinel Rock-Thrushes, Cape Siskin, Red-Winged Starling and Ground Woodpecker along the rocky sandstone ridges. Birds associated with fynbos habitats such as Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird and Orange-Breasted Sunbird are plentiful. Common species include Cape Bulbul, Cape Bunting, Neddicky, Karoo Prinia, White-Necked Raven, Malachite and Southern Double-Collared Sunbirds. Birds of prey include Jackal Buzzard, Fish Eagle, Booted Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Kestrel, Black-Shouldered Kite, Steppe Buzzard and Yellow-Billed Kite in summer. There are also many reptiles in the reserve such as the Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Agama lizards, Cape Cobra’s, Puff Adders and many more.