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These visits are recorded by clipping a “passport” with orienteering style clips at the checkpoints. The route will explore the Harkerville Forest and unveil the new Gras Pad Mountain Bike Route in the process.

Participants will ride the new Graspad route which is an addition to the existing set of mountain biking route in Knysna. Harkerville is known globally for its mountain biking routes in the Knysna forest. The new route known as “Graspad” is accessible from the scenic Kranshoek gate and promises a ride through species-rich indigenous forests. Cyclists will ride through towering trees with a backdrop of the ocean.

How to get to Kranshoek: GPS Coordinates: 34°05′28″S 23°18′23″E

Other activities in Kranshoek: Picnic spots, the waterfall, dolphin and whale watching and the Kranshoek hiking trail. There will be food stalls and goodie bags on the day. Food and drinks will be on sale.

Those interested can register on: entrytickets.co.za or contact James Stewart on [email protected]

Cycling progress in Knysna: A year later

Subsequent to a readjustment of the tariff structure last November 2014, SANParks met up with cyclists from Plettenberg Bay (Leon Evans and Colin Shave and now James Stewart), Greg Vogt of Knysna & Partners and further roped in Jacques Brink & Stewart Lightley.

The following conclusions were reached:

• To establish a technical team to identify maintenance needs of cycling routes in the Knysna forest: A technical team assessed routes and began implementing new maintenance plans. This is currently underway and recently cyclists gave positive feedback on the SANParks-GRNP facebook site.
• Maintenance of existing routes & new signage: A new route to be added to the famous Harkerville set, includes the “black route”. It is a 12 kilometer route known as “Graspad”.
• New signage to be adopted first by the Knysna section and then rolled out to Farleigh is adapted from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).
• Open Day: SANParks is planning a 1-day free entry for all cyclists in the Garden Route and surrounds. This is mainly to launch the “Graspad” route.
• Broader cycling strategy: Knysna & Partners in collaboration with WESGRO (the Western Cape Economic development agency) are driving a bigger strategy for cycling.
• Combining permits for adjacent land to the Park (such as Cape Pine ): Although this is still a challenge, there is a need to further liaise with the National tourism Department regarding the combined permit system. Currently auditing and governance tools work against a combined permit system.