TrailLynx is a new trail association in Plettenberg Bay created by the well-known trail builder, Johan Vorster (Ex-Hakahana Trails). Over the past 18 months they have started to transform the trails network in and around Plett. Johan gives us insight into these exciting new trails.
The vision actually started over three years ago when I built Kurland Trails. Over the past two years I have actively approached landowners with a comprehensive regional trails-expansion plan and started the lengthy processes of negotiating for access. We managed to find common ground with a number of landowners and finally we started to break ground.
At the end of last year, we were commissioned to build a totally new network up the Wittedrif road – Bitouvlei Trails. These virgin trails straddle both the estuary itself but also the fynbos ridges to the north. We have built three trails, the jewel being the 18km Red Roostr – it’s a hefty loop trail with about 380m elevation. The Roostr has a big climb up to a stunning loop around the plateaux and then the reward of a 3km machine-crafted downhill section known as “x-Foliate”! The 10km Blue and 6km Green routes have been built as family-friendly trails as they meander around and along the beautiful Bitouvlei estuary.
In May this year we became involved in the master-planning of a new trail park in Plett proper. Sky Park is a novel concept of a “ski-village” for MTB, practically in the middle of town with 500ha of magnificent shale and coastal-fynbos, undulating hills, fair gradients and endless trail potential. We have started construction on what will become a concentrated trails park. The concept is to create a wide range of shortish trails that can be ridden in multiple different combinations as well as longer loops catering for all skills levels. The descents are machine-sculptured trails designed for maximum flow and stoke. The Green, Blue and Black runs will all descend back into the “bowl” and there are at least four different climbs back out, which keeps it really interesting for everyone. There will also be separate trails dedicated to running, walking and hiking.
Just as exciting is that we have managed to negotiate a link through to Bitouvlei Trails and Wittedrif. This new route will then create 40-60km loops out to the north of Plett without anyone having to ride on tar. These trails traverse at least four biomes and go into hidden valleys with some of the most unspoiled indigenous forests in the region. We hope to celebrate this and help protect it going forward. We are also in negotiations for the construction of a pump-track and associated cycling amenities at the entrance to the Sky Park. We hope to be in a position to host our own small events from December this year and help establish Plett as world-class riding destination.
Access to the TrailLynx associated trails (currently Sky Park, Bitouvlei and Kurland) will be via a TrailLynx QR system, with Day and Annual passes available. We developed the system to manage trails on private land, giving landowners a form of reconcilable access and a revenue stream. In so doing we hope to stimulate further trail investment and builds on private properties. We also hope to instil a good ride ethic, respect for the landowner access, and accountable trail use at all levels.
We have tried hard to integrate our system with the existing MTO annual card but the feasibilities on constructing quality new trails are not yet matching up. We are currently supporting each other in helping to grow the regional network of trails and perhaps in the near future we will be able to integrate our two systems and provide a single access-card for the region.
