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A list of our favourite MTB trails to visit on your next holiday!

 

Mountain biking is fast becoming one of South Africa's most popular outdoor activities. What better time to explore the beautiful South African landscape than when on holiday?
 
So next time you go on holiday, be sure to check out some of these amazing trails around your favourite resorts. Please let us know if you've got any other great trails that we might have missed!
 
1. MPUMALANGA
 
Trail:  Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge MTB Route – Pilgrims Rest
 
Distances: 16km/150km
 
Launching off the escarpment you can take a number of routes through the forestry on the property. All routes are on jeep tracks used for game-viewing drives. The exhilarating 16km ride, with an altitude drop of 800m down to the old farm house, is recommended. The climb back out is along the same route or via the 4x4 trail and is quite steep.
 
South Africa’s first tour de France cyclist, Robert Hunter, as well as champion Chris Froome, have done some clandestine off-season training in this area. The 150km Three Pass route, which is revered by hardcore road cyclists, descends from Crystal Springs through Pilgrim’s Rest and up the short, steep pass to Graskop. Turning right to Sabie, prepare for the aptly-named Long Tom Pass and the radical descent into Lydenburg. Return to Crystal Springs via the Orighstad road and Robbers Pass.
 
Route information:
Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge
Telephone: (013) 768 5000
 
 
Trail: Mankele Mountain Biking – Schagen
 
Distances: 2.4km to 55km
 
The trails are complimented with endless wooden boardwalks and bridges that have been carefully constructed over the terrain. The adrenaline pumping trails have an excellent balance: from lung bursting climbs, disc burning descents, nail biting north shore, big drops, river crossings and fast, smooth single track.
 
Route information:
Telephone: +27 (0)78 801 0453 or 082 338 9533
 
 
 
 
 
2. KWAZULU NATAL
 
Trail: WILD 5 MTB - Oribi Gorge
 
Distances: 1 – 35km
 
Mountain bikers can follow the scenic single track (horse trail), meandering along the top of the gorge. For a super-strenuous workout, why not attempt riding up the Gorge! Bring your own bike.
 
Route information:
Situated at the Oribi Gorge Hotel.
Tel: 039 687 0253
 
Trail: Lake Eland Game Reserve - Port Shepstone
 
Distances: 4km/24km/45km
 
Explore the game reserve on a mountain bike. Various trails to choose from. Bring your own bike.
 
Route information:
Lake Eland Game Reserve – Oribi Gorge.
Tel: 039 687 0395
Cell:083 257 9468
 
Trail: Clearwater Trails - Port Edward
 
Distances: 4.7km/20km
The trails not only offer a means to exercise, they are linked to many points of interest and entertainment along the way. Our trail users encounter the Gorge View Deck, pass over Clearwater’s Dam wall, go through Abbott’s Wood (a man-made indigenous forest), pass the remains of an old crofter’s lodging (aptly dubbed the Spook House), the Mars-like Red Desert, Beaver Creek Coffee Estate & Cafe (where you can feed you need for caffeine!) and Crags View Wild Care Centre where a magic view of the gorge awaits you.
 
Route information:
Tel: 039 311 1130 /  083 549 6710
 
 
 
 
 
Stay at:
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. GARDEN ROUTE
 
Trail: Homtini - Knysna
 
Distances: 19km
 
Description: 19km/2.3 hour; recreational mountain bike route; mostly average/one difficult section; marked; circular; unidirectional; in Goudveld State Forest; no facilities; not for the very young; under 18 must be accompanied by adults;
 
Route information:
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Tel: + 27 (0)445 82-5466
 
Trail: Petrus-se-Brand - Knysna
 
Distances: 22.4km
 
Description: Recreational mountain bike route; 23 km/3 hour; average; marked; linear (starts at Diepwalle, ends at Garden of Eden); in the Diepwalle State Forest; no facilities; not for the very young; under 18 must be accompanied;
 
Route information:
Thesen Island Office - 044 302 5600
Diepwalle Forestry Station - 044 382 9762/3
 
Stay at:
Baywater Village (Sedgefield) – BOOK NOW
 
Garden Route Chalets (Sedgefield) – BOOK NOW
 
 
 
 
4. NORTH WEST PROVINCE
 
Trail: HakaHana Trails - Broederstroom
 
Distances: 1.5km/4km/8km/18km/21km+
 
This ex-horse farm is a truly tranquil setting, consisting of huge paddocks, riverine ecology and pristine bushveld koppies. The Hakahana Trails Network traverses over 40 properties enabling a unique, safe and diverse riding experience, mostly on custom-built single track in pristine bushveld surrounds.
 
Route information:
Web: www.hakahanatrails.co.za
 
Trail: Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij - Skeerpoort
 
Distances: Up to 100km
 
Van Gaalen as the ‘Big Cheese’ of mountain biking in Gauteng this historic cheese farm, situated on the edge of the rural community of Skeerpoort has become a bit of a go-to destination for mountain bikers from Jozi and surrounds. Their constantly evolving MTB trails traverse much of the Magaliesberg region, combining top-quality single-track with an endless network of gravel roads.
 
The rural landscape, rugged koppies and spread-out grasslands make it difficult to believe that you are only 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and Pretoria. There is a real sense of place at Van Gaalen, with old Dutch-style architecture set within a picturesque valley, plus of course the abundant natural grandeur and history one finds here at the foot of the Magaliesberg and in the Cradle of Humankind.
 
Route information:
Tel: +27 (0)12 207 1289
Website: www.vangaalen.co.za
 
Trail: Hennops Trail - Road 511 to Hartbeespoort Dam
 
Distances: 5km/13km/26km
 
Hennops MTB offers some really stunning trails to suit all levels of expertise and fitness. The trails are colour coded and the main circular (single/jeep) track, 13km is green. For the beginner rider there is the option to escape and to complete only the River loop (5km) section. Branching from this main track there are various loops marked in blue to choose from, (Skeleton Hill, Kyalami, Pelindaba and Watergat loop) to create your own choice of distances up to 26km.
 
Route information:
Phone: 082 825 9205
Website: www.hennopstrails.co.za
 
 
 
Hennops
 
Stay at:
 
 
Feel free to tell us about other great trails we might have missed on our Facebook Page!
 
Fri 03 Mar 17