ATV riding in Franschhoek: Mountain trails through vineyards

Steer through vineyards and fynbos with mountain views unfolding all around you

ATV riding at Vrede en Lust Wine Estate in Franschhoek's Simonsberg foothills, where you operate the quad bike yourself for two hours through vineyards and into the lower mountain reaches. The ride moves at a pace set by the group's abilities, with stops for photographs and explanations of wine farming and fynbos ecology from your guide. Children ages 5–15 ride with an adult on a shared quad.

The experience

You arrive 20 minutes early for a helmet fitting and safety briefing, then spend an hour riding at a leisurely pace through the estate's vineyards with the Du Toit's Kloof Mountain range as your backdrop. The guide points out grape cultivars and wine farming practices as you descend through the working rows, then the trail heads into the lower mountain reaches where the landscape shifts to fynbos and bird life. A few stops let you photograph the valley and take in the surroundings without rushing.

The ride is built around what you can handle: the pace adjusts to the group's capabilities rather than following a fixed schedule. Your guide is a trained professional and carries a first aid kit. The nearest hospital is ten minutes away if anything goes wrong. In summer months, long sleeves and trousers protect against the heat, and sunscreen matters. Cold drinks are for sale at the reception or you can eat next door at The Rhebok restaurant before or after.

Morning and afternoon departures are available. The morning slot (9am) tends to be cooler. Children from age 5 can ride, but those under 15 share a quad with an adult at an additional cost. The activity runs in favorable weather only. If conditions turn, you'll be offered an alternative date.

What’s included

• Use of quad bike.
• professional guide.
• safety helmet.
• briefing and instruction before the ride starts.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English09:00

Guide in English15:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 95 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “ROADWORKS ALERT: Expect delays of up to 40min due to roadworks. Set your Google Maps arrival 40min earlier than your booking time. Guests must arrive 30min early for a safety briefing.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Wine Valley Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose the 9am departure if you want to avoid the summer heat. The afternoon slot (3pm) works better if you prefer a later start or want to combine it with wine tasting at the estate restaurant. Riders under 15 need an adult on the same quad, so book accordingly if you're bringing children.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride an ATV on my own, or do I have to share with someone else?

Adults ride solo on their own quad bike. Children ages 5 to 15 must ride with an adult on a shared quad, charged at an additional R200 per bike.

What's the actual riding time versus the total time I need to set aside?

The ride itself lasts one hour. You'll need to arrive 20 minutes early for the briefing and helmet fitting, so plan for roughly two and a half hours total at the estate.

Does the guide explain anything about the wine farming, or is it just riding?

Your guide points out and explains the grape cultivars and wine farming activities as you ride through the vineyards. The trail also moves into the lower mountain reaches where you'll see fynbos and bird life, though the focus is on the riding itself rather than a detailed wine education.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day I book?

The activity runs only in favorable weather conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, the operator offers you an alternative date instead of a refund.

Is this ride suitable if I've never been on an ATV before?

Yes, the pace is set by the group's abilities, and the guide adjusts the ride to match what riders can handle. A safety briefing and helmet fitting happen before you start, and the trail is described as leisurely rather than technical.