Trail Centre

Dirtopia Trail Centre is based on Muratie wine Farm, Knorhoek Road, R44 Stellenbosch.

Situated on the singletrack trail head of Simonsberg trail network, trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers can buy permit sales for a range of trails - you choose your distances in various loops.

Day permits are R60 per person. The Trail Centre opens by 8am on weekend weekend mornings.

Mobile info number is: 078 343 3572 (TEXT/whatsapp please)

If we are closed then there is the option to pay permits online: www.dirtpass.co.za

or with Snapscan or Zapper codes on the door of the shop.

Permits for the marked hiking & mountain bike trails are R60 per person per day (R30 for kids under 10) Permits also available online at https://www.dirtpass.co.za/product/permits

Annual permits can be bought for R750 a year (365 days)  HERE

Come visit us - the Trail Centre is stocked with merchandise, snacks, accessories, spares, drinks etc.

 

 Events 

• Trail Runs
• Full Moon Hikes 
• MTB Skills Clinics
• MTB social rides
• Plus various mountain bike events 

For more information visit Dirtopia's EVENT page

 

Dirtopia Trail Centre is based on Muratie Wine Estate and situated on the singletrack trail head of Simonsberg trail network, that was designed & built by Meurant Botha. As founder of Dirtopia in 2001 and the non-profit Amarider, he has been a key driver for trail construction and development in South Africa since the late nineties.

One of the historic buildings on Muratie is home to the Trail Centre (from mid 2019), just across from the wine cellar and this is where mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers can obtain the day permits for access to beautiful singletrack on the foot of Simonsberg.

A range of trails have markers along the way and split into loops for all levels of fitness.  All trails reach the junction called Gilloolys on the ridge of Muratie, with beautiful views of Table Mountain in the distance. Here is where the first loop can take you back to the start at the Trail Centre. At this intersection, trail users can decide whether they want to go further towards Simonsberg on neighbouring farm, Uitkyk with various options to choose from.

A new ABC trail has been built with novice mountain bikers in mind and is an easy wide green option that even children will enjoy. This smoother track is marked with green arrows from the trailhead and at Gilloolys is where they can decide to do turn back for a 5km or go a little further to add about 7km total.

For Enduro and Intermediate riders that need more distance and challenges, there are the black arrows to follow. At the middle loop there is the split option to go to the highest point on the network called the “Never-say-never-ending-again trail”; that gives intermediate mountain bikers a 10km continious singletrack experience with spectacular views of the Cape on a clear day! Total distance is up to the rider, as the options can give 2-3hours of true mountain biking. Adding loop 3 to loop 1 total about 12km to 15km (depending which option the rider/runner take. Adding loop 4 to both can be 26-35km.

Hikers have their own circular 3.5km hiking trail that has over 220 hand-built steps and reach the viewpoint at Gilloolys as well. From here hikers can walk a bit further in on Cork Oak trail, via View trail to Jakhalskloof and back to Gilloolys.

Keep an eye on Dirtopia social media pages for announcements on extended trail hours for the popular sunset hikes that are held once a month. Normally around full moon time with a Muratie wine station at the picnic spot!

The Trail Centre is your one stop shop for trail & event info, bike accessories, outdoor clothing, and trail supplies.  Snacks and cold drinks to enjoy on the tables outside before or after your activity.  Open from 7.30am on weekend mornings and even earlier in high summer. Closing around 2pm, depending on the demand, but you are welcome to make an appointment as well, especially during the week. Enquiries welcome at 0783433572 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Permits for the marked hiking, running & mountain bike trails are R60 per person per day (R30 for kids under 12) and there is a map available at the Trail Centre. When you get to know the trails, you'll be able to do more & longer loops for distance.

There are Snapscan & Zapper codes on the Trail Centre windows and permits can also be bought online at dirtpass.co.za HERE. Annual permits can be bought for R750 at the Trail Centre or online. Valid 365 days. Small board must be collected to display on the front of the bike/in your pocket. Annual permits must sign in at the Trail Centre for safety.

Meurant leads regular social rides from Muratie, mostly on Sunday mornings. Check the social ride page or social media channels for dates.

 Outdoor events like trail running and mountain biking are also activated, when allowed by Covid regulations – see the events link on the website for the calendar updates.

Ride, run or hike through the Simonsberg Trail system on any day of the week, but remember to get your permit and sign the indemnity at the Trail Centre before you start.  At Muratie there are magnificent singletracks that are easy enough for beginners to try, but tricky enough for intermediate & experienced riders to have some playtime! Remember to be friendly to all trail users and yield when required. IMBA Rules of the Trail apply.

Best is to end your adventure at the Farm Kitchen at Muratie for breakfast (& great coffee) or lunch and of course the wine!

Tag @Dirtopia and @Muratie after your next Adventure on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. #Simonsbergtrails

There are Facebook pages for Simonsberg Trails and Dirtopia Trail Centre as well.

Please note: riders/runners are NOT permitted to be here without a valid permit on these private farms and must stay on the marked trails only - you will be fined by the landowners, so please stick to the rules!  Permits are always required.

 RIDE PLANNER (Nov'21) 

From the Muratie Trailhead follow the ABC trail.
This green rated, easy route, consists of 3 sections and
runs to Gilloolys (A - 3.7km) and back (C - 2.7km) with an
optional 1.8 km forest loop (B) in the middle. A+B+C!
On the A section there are 3 blue rated
intermediate options:
1) Metuselah 1.3km,
2) Valhalla 0,7km and
3) Nebukadnezzar 1,7km
Choosing these options will increase your ride distance
to Gilloolys.

At Gilloolys you can follow the View Trail via Cork Oak for
a shortcut to the longer loops of Bushtunnel (5.5km) and
Never say Neverending Again (16,5km) or first tackle the
upper forest loops accessed by Serendipity (NEW!) on the
aBc Trail.
Serendipity take you to Clapham Junction from where you
can descend back to Gilloolys via Smugglers Traverse (an
easy, aBc trail) or the intermediate Digger.

Thrill seekers can choose Full Metal Jacket, a black rated
advanced trail that descends to Jakhalspass and climbs
back to Gilloolys via Jakhalskloof and Little Jackal.

To get back home follow the 1.5km downhill Ho Chi Minh
section of the abC trail from Gilloolys flowing into the
1,2km Exit Trail.

 ENJOY

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