Farm Windhoek IJG Trails open to all

PUBLIC green spaces are becoming increasingly rare as our cities and towns encroach further and further outward and urban development marches on.

While there are still plenty of trails and koppies to explore around Windhoek, the fact of the matter is that safety is a major concern when you are heading out to the hills on your dream mountain bike or with a premium cellphone to link you to civilisation – in case the worst should happen.

Farm Windhoek, which runs along the Auas Mountains, just south of the capital, has offered nature lovers the perfect space for their afternoon escapes for several years now. However, a lack of awareness and resources has kept this hilly nirvana from being truly embraced by more of Windhoek’s walkers, hikers and mountain bikers.

Being the only Namibian stockbroker to be awarded 1st prize in the prestigious Financial Mail broker rating awards in South Africa, IJG know a good thing when they see it.

Mark Späth, group managing director of the IJG Group of Companies, a tri-athlete and avid mountain biker, thought it is an ideal way of ploughing back into the lives of the Windhoek community by helping to make this natural playground more accessible and, therefore, safer.

“The more people you have using the trails, the safer it gets. Sadly, security has become a serious concern for the outdoor crowd and with the Farm Windhoek IJG Trails we want to offer families and fitness fanatics a safe green space on your doorstep,” Späth said when showing around some of the 70 kilometres of trails where bird watchers, dog walkers, trail runners and mountain bikers wander or charge through the large townland farm from Kleine Kuppe all the way around to Waldorf School in Avis.

“We are extremely lucky to have this area available on our doorstep, and from a cycling perspective, IJG Trails has some of the best riding in Africa. I will be taking my family there on most weekends,” said Andrew Rowles, finance manager for the Pupkewitz Group.

Peter van der Merwe, owner of Farm Windhoek, said the sponsorship has come at the perfect time and has allowed them to keep the tariffs unchanged and to hire a full-time security detail – including an anti-poaching unit – to safeguard the visitors and the game you’ll share your afternoon walks with.

“We want to make this space available to everybody from Windhoek and beyond. Whether you are keen to get some fresh air or you are training for international mountain biking and downhill events, the Farm Windhoek IJG Trails is open for all, 24 hours a day,” Van der Merwe said.

The trails also boast an outdoor gym with weight-accurate dumb-bells made of wood and cows for company. One can also sign up for Farm Windhoek Fitness classes with a trained biokineticist.

The event-friendly space is host to a number of fun and some quite serious outdoor events like the Rock and Rut series and some more extreme events on its tight technical tracks with huge jumps, steep berms for cornering and even a foam tip if you want to try something new.

“These trails are super special,” said Mannie Heymans, Olympic mountain biker and owner of Mannie’s Bike Mecca.

“The IJG trails is literally on everyone’s doorstep. No need to load a bike on the car and drive 50 or 60 km to go to a bike park anymore and there is really something for everyone” he added.

One person pays N$30 for the day or N$60 if you are with the family, while pensioners and children under 12 years gain free access.

Otherwise you opt for the personal N$100 monthly debit order or the yearly family package for a very reasonable N$2 000 investment into your loved ones’ health.

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