The Ibex is one of three featured MTB routes published by MTO at Jonkershoek, combining a sustained climb into the valley with contour riding and a long sequence of descents on the return. It starts and finishes at the main MTO trailhead and gives a broad introduction to the scale and character of the Jonkershoek network.
The setting is a major part of the ride. Steep mountain slopes frame the valley while the route gains height through the upper trail network, before the character changes from climbing and traversing to the Red Phoenix and Firehut descents.
Route description
The route leaves the main gate and climbs the Irish Trail, then turns onto Contour 2 and traverses on jeep track. It drops Red Phoenix 2 and 1, takes the Circle loop onto the Valley Trail and crosses to the south side of the valley.
From there it climbs Bosluis 1 and easier jeep track to the Upper Firehut Trail, runs along to the Quarry trail head, and finishes on the Firehut 2 and 1 descents back towards the gate.
Technical difficulty
Trailforks grades The Ibex Blue for technical difficulty, which CapeCurated normalises as Intermediate in the facts above. MTO does not publish a route-specific colour grade for The Ibex on its route page, although its general trail guidance states that trails are graded with reference to IMBA.
Treat the Intermediate label as a useful guide rather than a substitute for the trail signage and individual feature grading you encounter in the Jonkershoek network.
Fitness and climbing
The route includes 608 m of climbing, with much of the sustained ascent coming before the longer descending sections later in the ride. The climb through the upper valley is generally progressive rather than defined by one short, exceptionally steep pitch, so pacing matters more than outright technical climbing ability.
Best time to ride
An earlier start is generally preferable in warmer weather, particularly before the main climbing sections heat up. Jonkershoek’s mountain setting can also bring changing cloud, wind and rain, so check the local forecast before setting out.
