Elise Kirsten
Former architect turned trail-blazer Johan Vorster has embarked on an exciting new project at Plettenberg Bay aimed at combining the Botanical Gardens concept with mountain biking.
Vorster, of Trail Lynx, has already built several mountain bike trails at Plett in recent years, including the Kurland Trails and the Bitou trails.
Two years ago, he started building the Sky Trails - a collaboration with Sky Villa Boutique Hotel and Raw Africa Boutique Collection.
Four specialist MTB trails have already been completed and most of the climbs are now cleared and rideable.
By December this year there will be at least seven MTB and three run/walk/hike trails.
Vorster is an accomplished mountain biker in his own right and says they're trying to create a long-term Botanical-type Park with trails giving access to nature, rehabilitation and nature education.
"It's turning out from the Botanical reports that the site is pretty complex in terms of its fynbos mix but we're very excited about the project from a mountain bike trails perspective as well as an educational, environment and ecological one."
Vorster says the entire Sky Park master-plan always made provision for a central bike hub - with an area identified adjacent to the Old Nick's development off the N2.
"The bike hub has moved quite far in terms of its planning process into really putting down something quite meaningful for Plettenberg Bay and the region," he said.
Vorster says they're looking at building a high intensity bike park with pump tracks, kiddies tracks, skate bowl and then incremental lines on the Sky Trails already in existence.
"The idea is to build more trails from two different apexes on a very accessible ridge overlooking the N2 to really create a meaningful playground but also a training ground for mountain bikers."
Vorster says that In December this year Raw Africa Boutique Collection will be hosting the first of the Plett Wine and Adventure festivals along with a small enduro on the 16th of December.
"On the 17th of December we will be hosting a trail run on the trails and with that we will slowly be embedding the hub as the focal point for the trail park and for the high-intensity park in its own right."
