Dirtopia is a mountain bike event and trail construction company, focusing its activities in the Western Cape region of South Africa. It all started out as a mountain bike festival in 2000. The company was registered in 2001 and since then have branched out to incorporate the organization of several annual mountain bike events, the construction of mountain bike trails as well as extensive trail maintenance projects on hiking and mountain bike trails in the Western Cape. Partners: Meurant and Arina Botha with Nicolene van der Merwe is the office administrator for events. The trail crew is contracted with 5 labourers from Kyamandi and Dirtopia also uses several part time staff in the Trail Centre & at events.

Based on Delvera Farm north of Stellenbosch, 2004 saw the expansion of Dirtopia activities to incorporate a Trail Centre from where active travelers can buy trail permits for 3 mountain bike trails as well as 3 hiking trails. In September 2007 a 'Pump Track' was opened on Delvera - a cross between BMX, dual and MTB dirt jump track. In Febr09 a Terrain Park & kiddies track were opened.

The Dirtopia Trail Centre also stocks maps, clothing, snacks and basic mountain bike accessories and acts as our events office. In February 2006 Dirtopia opened another two new marked trails in Grabouw. In association with the Greenmountain Ecoroute, Groenlandberg Conservancy and Thandi Farm Kitchen.

Events in the Dirtopia stable include Dirtopia MTB Festival (since 2000), Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay MTB Challenge, Amarider 100Miler, Die Burger Stellenbosch MTB Challenge, Nelsons Creek MTB Festival & stage race, 24 Hour team relay and various other mountain bike events like Provincial races, funrides, skills clinics, nightrides, downhills, trial shows, Full Moon & Sunset hikes, MTB outrides, 8hour MTB relay (9-5) etc.

Meurant Botha is a well-known trailbuilder and also the founder of the African Mountain bike Association www.amarider.co.za and serves on several non-profit committees such as CSA, PPA (8 years), Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, WPMBA, Klapmutskop Conservancy, WP Cycling, WPMBA etc.

The trail construction and maintenance component of the company has undertaken various projects including contracts for Sanparks, Safcol, CapeNature, MTO, Mountain Club of SA, Pedal Power Association and private landowners. Projects have ranged from mountain bike trail construction all over the Western Cape to major maintenance projects on the Tsitsikamma Hiking trail.

You are welcome to contact us for consultation on trails and event consultation of mountain biking, trailrunning, hiking and teambuilding events.

Dirtopia is leading the way by creating sustainable ecotourism product in conservation areas.  Dirtopia is a member of the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy.