South Africa is widely known as one of the most scenic countries in the world. Landscapes vary significantly from region to region, and because of that, many nature enthusiasts have taken to exploring it in any way they can.
Mountain biking is one of the most fast-paced and exhilarating ways to explore the terrain, and South Africa has some of the best trails in the world.
The following is a list of a few of South Africa’s choice routes, adapted from various sources and related lists.
Baakens River – Intermediate to Difficult (24km)
The Baakens Valley is a long and narrow green-space running through the heart of the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area. It stretches in a general east-west direction from just above the harbour to the western outskirts of Port Elizabeth, on the Cape Town side of the city.
Local riders rate the contour paths and jeep tracks as one of the best urban rides in South Africa. Expect sharp climbs, rutted downhill’s and heaps of obstacles to test your technical skills to the max. For personal safety reasons, it is always recommended that you cycle the route with a friend or two.
Longmore Forest Route – Moderate – Various Lengths
Situated close to Port Elizabeth, this seemingly endless network of gravel roads (840km according to the resident plantation manager) will put miles into your legs, with more than enough jeep-track links to keep it adventurous. Park at the Longmore offices, then head uphill along the gravel road and follow the Kings View signs for an enjoyable 90min (or up to 5-hour) circuit.
Woodridge/Thornhill XC – Moderate/technoical – Various lengths
Your first stop is Woodridge School, one of the few educational institutions in South Africa to boast its own Nationals-quality XC (cross-country) route. The purpose-built route offers some exhilarating and challenging single track riding. It’s great on a windy day, as the plantation offers both shelter and shade. Permits are required and these must be shown at the gate when entering the premises. No less than 95% of the 8km course is groomed single track, dipping and diving through forest sections, plantations and some open grassland.
From Woodridge, it is a doddle to get to Thornhill, a tiny village just across Van Staden’s Gorge and approximately 6km further along the N2. This is a more recent, but no less exciting riding venue, catering to both rookie riders and the more hardcore XC racing snakes. Local mountain biker Grant Puttergill has put together a killer 6km route on his Sunnyvale farm, and again you will be bombing into a veritable single track paradise.
PwC Toyota Cycle Park – Beginner to expert – Up to 15km
Situated in Bryanston, Johannesburg, this secure cycle park offers custom built single-track trails for mountain bikes that are suited for all ages and all skill levels. All the routes are graded, clearly signposted and include beginner, intermediate and advanced circuits. Besides the many kilometres of man-made trails, there is also a world championship standard BMX track at the park.
The obstacles increase in number and complexity as the grading goes from novice to advanced level. Enjoy the single-track and tight turns that will make you concentrate on your cornering techniques on the easier trails before heading into the intermediate trails where you will have to pay a bit more attention, as on these you will have to deal with a drop or a log or a steep bump to avoid being bounced off.
For the expert riders, the ladder bridges and berms will assure some exhilarating cranking and a serious rush of adrenalin. And finally for the hooligans looking for interesting ways to commit suicide by mountain bike, the Dirt Jump Heaven seems like the right place to be.
Written by Wesley Geyer
Creative Writer at ATKA SA
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