Tokai MTB - Snakes & Vasbyt Trails

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Features Drops/Jumps · Views

This route takes place at the Tokai MTB Park which is located on the slopes of Constantiaberg Mountain. The area is part of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) World Heritage Site. The ascent is primarily on jeep track, while the descents are all prestine, well maintained singletrack. The descents can be tackled at exhilarating speed or at a chilled relaxed pace, making it suitable for most riders. The views across the Cape landscape is sensational.

Riding typically starts from the Forest Glade Centre on Tokai Road, where one can also find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop and pharmacy.

Either a Table Mountain National Park level 3 activity permit or a day pass is required. The day pass can be can be purchased at the picnic site/parking area.

The ascent into the Tokai MTB trail network is on jeep track, from the initial Main Jeep Track, all the up to Level 5 Jeep Track. The first singletrack option is the green graded Faerie Garden, which serves as a more exciting ascent alternative to the Main Jeep Track. It then rejoins the Main Jeep Track further up the mountain.

Near the end of the Main Jeep Track you'll find the first split to the Level 2 Jeep Track. This will take you to the start of the blue graded Vasbyt trail. This is a great options if you're looking for a short ride.

Bypassing the Level 2 Jeep Track turn-off at the split on the Main Jeep Track will take you up to the Level 3 (South). On this section you'll find the start of the green graded Lizard descent. You'll then pass through the downhill trail linkage section where you need to be on the look out for descending riders. Shortly thereafter you'll pass the exit of the All Mountain Trail, again being vigilant for riders coming down this trail. Thereafter you'll continue up to the intersection joining the Level 3 (North) ascent route.

At this point you'll continue up the Level 4, where you'll be presented with a rest option (a bench and a view site).
The view from this point is spectacular and well worth taking time out to enjoy it.

Just around the corner you'll find the start of the descent for this route. This particular route begins with the Blue graded Mamba Snake Trail, the second of five snake trail sections, and ends with Snake Eyes, the fourth of the five sections. The first snake trail is called Cobra, and is graded Black. It is accessible from level 5, after some further climbing. This route, therefore, includes three sections, all of Blue Grade, namely Mamba, Boomslang and Snake Eyes. The trail features berms, rock gardens and drop-offs. There are B-line options for the more technical sections.

Exiting Snake Eyes you'll then return to jeep track and traverse across to the lower descent trail called Vasbyt. Vasbyt is a fast flowing trail with many berm corners and optional drop-offs and jumps. Again, there are B-line options around these features. Both the Snake trail and Vasbyt trail offer a fast and exhilarating descent.

Cape Adventures have created a full video of these trails showing the A-line and B-line options.

Snake Trails: youtu.be/J8tHiF0ffP4
Vasbyt Trail: youtu.be/byUAYSnD8NI

Tokai MTB trails had their beginning in the 1990's and have come a very long way thanks to the many supporters of the trail program - most notably - the non-profit TokaiMTB who construct, manage and maintain the trail network. Tokai Park has something for everyone - from gentle Cross Country (XC) riding to challenging Downhill (DH) descents and everything in-between. The mountain has routes for all disciplines of riders including gravel, XC, trail, enduro and DH.

Until quite recently, the area was heavily forested, primarily by invasive Gum (Eucalyptus), Wattle (Acacia) and Pine. Today, most of these trees have been cut down to make way for the extremely threatened indigenous flora; the nicely recovering Cape Peninsula fynbos and Afromontane Forest.