Loading route…

← All routes

SAC Circle - Mountain Drive long way around

Mountain bikeDifficultGrahamstown CentralHill 60Mountain DriveRailway LineRhodes UniversitySunny SideWesthill

Distance: 18.99 km

Time: 1 hour 31 min

Elevation: 379 m

Gradient: +2.0%

Start: Southern trailhead near Wilderness.

This route finishes where it started :-)

checking routes with Antony

Download GPX

Explore route SAC Circle - Mountain Drive long way around

Photos and videos along this route

Along the route

Segments and points of interest from start to finish.

  1. Start

    Southern trailhead near Wilderness.

  2. POI AR Test
    0mDistance along route: 560mElevation:

    POI AR Test description

  3. SAC Circle - Beaufort Rd

    Moderate trail · Tar / road

    141m – 1.20 kmDistance along route: 00:41 – 05:44Elapsed time: 13m18m-0.2%Ascent 13m · Descent 18m · Average gradient -0.2%

    One of the few tar segments in town. Hardly any traffic in early morning hours. Watch out for taxis at African, Hill and High Street.

  4. Beaufort Rd - Hoërskool P.J. Olivier

    Difficult trail · Tar / road

    1.20 km – 1.63 kmDistance along route: 05:44 – 07:47Elapsed time: 38m1m+8.6%Ascent 38m · Descent 1m · Average gradient +8.6%

    Steepest climb (or downhill) in town.

  5. Hoërskool P.J. Olivier - N2

    Difficult trail · Singletrack

    1.63 km – 2.51 kmDistance along route: 07:47 – 12:01Elapsed time: 33m13m+2.6%Ascent 33m · Descent 13m · Average gradient +2.6%

    Steep single trail along the veld and below the power lines to connect P.J. Olivier and the N2. Don't miss the sharp turn right by the power lines. Please close the gate on Robinson St, it is unlocked.

  6. N2 - Bridge over N2 by Mountain Drive

    Difficult trail · Singletrack

    2.51 km – 3.26 kmDistance along route: 12:01 – 15:36Elapsed time: 7m36m-4.2%Ascent 7m · Descent 36m · Average gradient -4.2%

    Steep uphill/decline with windy sections. Be mindful about a few rocky patches on this hill. The gate down by Mountain Drive is unlocked - please close after passing.

  7. N2 Bridge - Grey Dam

    Easy trail · Gravel

    3.26 km – 3.56 kmDistance along route: 15:36 – 17:01Elapsed time: 16m0m+4.8%Ascent 16m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +4.8%

    Moderate gradient between N2 bridge and Grey dam

  8. Grey dam climb/descent

    Moderate trail · Gravel

    3.56 km – 5.01 kmDistance along route: 17:01 – 23:59Elapsed time: 77m0m+5.6%Ascent 77m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +5.6%

    Grey dam to the corner on mountain drive with access to trail segments towards Worcester Hill and Port Alfred Rd

  9. Corner Grey Dam climb - Jct Toposcope

    Moderate trail · Gravel

    5.01 km – 5.48 kmDistance along route: 23:59 – 26:12Elapsed time: 25m0m+5.4%Ascent 25m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +5.4%

    Last bit of climb/descent to toposcope junction. FLOM / Rotary upgraded the gravel road not so long ago.

  10. Mountain drive jct - toposcope loop

    Difficult trail · Gravel

    5.48 km – 6.55 kmDistance along route: 26:12 – 31:21Elapsed time: 35m1m+3.0%Ascent 35m · Descent 1m · Average gradient +3.0%

    Quiet washed out rocky gravel jeep track, but worthwhile with amazing views towards the Kenton sea over pineapple farmlands.

  11. Toposcope Jct - Radio Mast

    Moderate trail · Gravel

    7.70 km – 11.24 kmDistance along route: 36:52 – 53:48Elapsed time: 84m22m+1.7%Ascent 84m · Descent 22m · Average gradient +1.7%

    Mostly eroded jeep track with plenty of access to single trails all over mountain drive.

  12. Top of Mountain Drive Radio Mast - N2 Access Waainek Water Treatment Works

    Moderate trail · Gravel

    11.24 km – 12.93 kmDistance along route: 53:48 – 1:01:53Elapsed time: 0m90m-5.4%Ascent 0m · Descent 90m · Average gradient -5.4%

    Fast gravel descent/moderate climb. Watch out for rats in the road after heavy rains, especially down by Waainek Water Treatment Works. Careful when crossing the N2.

  13. Ditch old Highlands Rd - N2 Waainek Water Treatment Works

    Easy trail · Singletrack

    12.93 km – 12.98 kmDistance along route: 1:01:53 – 1:02:07Elapsed time: 0m0m-2.2%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient -2.2%

    Little patch of grass single trail between N2 and Highlands Rd. Watch out for taxis speeding along Highland Rd, especially early mornings around 7am.

  14. Highland Rd - Rautenbach Rd

    Very Easy trail · Tar / road

    12.98 km – 13.30 kmDistance along route: 1:02:07 – 1:03:40Elapsed time: 0m1m-0.7%Ascent 0m · Descent 1m · Average gradient -0.7%

    Small stretch of tar - careful with taxis in early mornings, otherwise hardly any traffic.

  15. Rautenbach Rd to SPCA

    Easy trail · Gravel

    13.30 km – 14.17 kmDistance along route: 1:03:40 – 1:07:49Elapsed time: 3m15m-1.7%Ascent 3m · Descent 15m · Average gradient -1.7%

    Gravel road/jeep track from the Rautenbach Rd/N2 to just behind the SPCA.

  16. Sewage Spill
    13.99 kmDistance along route: 1:06:58Elapsed time: 654mElevation:

    Depending on the weather sometimes you find sewage spill in this area. Ride or run slowly and avoid wet spots.

  17. SPCA Junction - Railway crossing Industrial Area

    Moderate trail · Jeep track

    14.16 km – 15.46 kmDistance along route: 1:07:46 – 1:13:59Elapsed time: 0m23m-1.9%Ascent 0m · Descent 23m · Average gradient -1.9%

    Rocky and hard to ride jeep track through the veld on the back of Carara and the industrial area. Much better single trails closer towards Worcester valley.

  18. Railway tracks
    15.43 kmDistance along route: 1:13:50Elapsed time: 632mElevation:
  19. Railway crossing Industrial Area - rocky clim

    Easy trail · Singletrack

    15.46 km – 15.61 kmDistance along route: 1:13:59 – 1:14:41Elapsed time: 0m2m-1.9%Ascent 0m · Descent 2m · Average gradient -1.9%

    Upgraded single trail through the veld on the back of the railway line

  20. Short rocky section

    Difficult trail · Rock

    15.61 km – 15.65 kmDistance along route: 1:14:41 – 1:14:54Elapsed time: 0m0m+3.8%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +3.8%

    Short rocky section of climb/descent in the Hill 60 veld.

  21. Back of Hill 60 overlooking Worcester Valley

    Easy trail · Singletrack

    15.65 km – 15.75 kmDistance along route: 1:14:54 – 1:15:24Elapsed time: 3m0m+5.1%Ascent 3m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +5.1%
  22. Short section of jeep track over private property Hill 60

    Very Easy trail · Jeep track

    15.75 km – 15.87 kmDistance along route: 1:15:24 – 1:15:58Elapsed time: 0m0m-0.3%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient -0.3%

    Not the greatest view over the dump side on this private property...

  23. Running trail Hill 60 to jct

    Very Easy trail · Singletrack

    15.87 km – 16.15 kmDistance along route: 1:15:58 – 1:17:19Elapsed time: 0m0m+0.3%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +0.3%
  24. Running trail Hill 60 - Schonland Av

    Very Easy trail · Singletrack

    16.15 km – 16.41 kmDistance along route: 1:17:19 – 1:18:31Elapsed time: 2m1m+0.5%Ascent 2m · Descent 1m · Average gradient +0.5%

    Smooth running trail graded and topped with crusher dust on the back of Schonland Av / Hill 60.

  25. Schonland Avenue a bit of tar

    Very Easy trail · Tar / road

    16.40 km – 16.59 kmDistance along route: 1:18:30 – 1:19:24Elapsed time: 0m3m-1.3%Ascent 0m · Descent 3m · Average gradient -1.3%

    Tiny bit of very quiet tar road to connect in between the three access areas on top of Hill 60. Ample parking available for hikers, trail runners and dog-walkers alike.

  26. Off-street Parking
    16.57 kmDistance along route: 1:19:19Elapsed time: 635mElevation:

    Plenty of parking available at the top of Hill60 in Schonland Avenue

  27. Jeeptrack converted to single trail Schonland Av to top of Hill 60

    Easy trail · Singletrack

    16.59 km – 17.00 kmDistance along route: 1:19:24 – 1:21:23Elapsed time: 3m1m+0.6%Ascent 3m · Descent 1m · Average gradient +0.6%

    Old jeep track upgraded into a manicured single track. It sometimes runs in the left or in the right jeep track depending on ground conditions.

  28. Nice sunset views from top of Hill60
    16.96 kmDistance along route: 1:21:11Elapsed time: 638mElevation:
  29. Flowtrails top of Hill 60 to Meurant St

    Moderate trail · Singletrack

    17.00 km – 17.26 kmDistance along route: 1:21:23 – 1:22:37Elapsed time: 0m18m-9.4%Ascent 0m · Descent 18m · Average gradient -9.4%

    Enjoy free-flowing downhills through beautiful veld, or a moderate uphill climb if you do the route in reverse.

  30. Flow trails through beautiful veld
    17.02 kmDistance along route: 1:21:28Elapsed time: 636mElevation:

    Enjoy free-flowing downhills through beautiful veld, or a nice uphill climb if you do the route in reverse. Top part of Hill 60 above Craddock Rd

  31. Jump at the end of downhill
    17.25 kmDistance along route: 1:22:33Elapsed time: 614mElevation:

    Just after turning left off the main downhill is a small jump over built out of soil

  32. Meurant St Flowtrails

    Moderate trail · Singletrack

    17.26 km – 17.57 kmDistance along route: 1:22:37 – 1:24:06Elapsed time: 0m6m-2.7%Ascent 0m · Descent 6m · Average gradient -2.7%

    New flow trails along the Hill 60 greenbelt with a few jumps and a bridge. All the obstacles have chicken-runs available for those who are not yet confident enough. Perfect playground for kids to learn how to cycle. Be mindful of the odd car on Meurant St.

  33. Ramp over tree log
    17.33 kmDistance along route: 1:22:56Elapsed time: 610mElevation:

    Easy ramp over tree log. Left and right chicken run possible. Jump at your own risk!

  34. Street parking next to greenbelt
    17.39 kmDistance along route: 1:23:12Elapsed time: 609mElevation:

    Park either at the end of Meurant Street or at the side of Wilshere Crescent

  35. Ramp and wooden bridge through trees
    17.48 kmDistance along route: 1:23:38Elapsed time: 608mElevation:

    There used to be a sewage spill - now covered with rubble to let water pass and safe passage on top of wooden bridge/ramp. Careful and only one rider/runner/hiker at a time.

  36. Ramp over tree stump
    17.53 kmDistance along route: 1:23:54Elapsed time: 606mElevation:

    Quiet steep ramp over tree stump at the end of Meurant St/Wilshire Crescent. Careful when jumping you need a lot of speed.

  37. Road Crossing Wilshire Crescent

    Easy trail · Tar / road

    17.57 km – 17.58 kmDistance along route: 1:24:06 – 1:24:08Elapsed time: 0m0m-3.5%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient -3.5%

    Watch out for cars along this road crossing. Look left and right before crossing this road.

  38. Link Bond St to Whilshire Cr

    Moderate trail · Singletrack

    17.72 km – 17.82 kmDistance along route: 1:24:49 – 1:25:17Elapsed time: 1m0m+1.2%Ascent 1m · Descent 0m · Average gradient +1.2%

    Short link from Bond St's railway line to Wilshire Cr in Hill 60

  39. Bond Street Railway Crossing
    17.97 kmDistance along route: 1:26:00Elapsed time: 603mElevation:
  40. Link Bond St to Whilshire Cr

    Moderate trail · Singletrack

    17.94 km – 18.00 kmDistance along route: 1:25:52 – 1:26:09Elapsed time: 0m0m-12.7%Ascent 0m · Descent 0m · Average gradient -12.7%

    Short link from Bond St's railway line to Wilshire Cr in Hill 60

  41. Finish

    Southern trailhead near Wilderness.

SAC Circle - Mountain Drive long way around | GTown Trails