There are many mountain bike trails in South Africa with great scenery and weather for riding. Many of the riding destinations are natural as opposed to groomed mountain bike trails. MTB trails in Cape Town are a favourite destination Table Mountain the ideal backdrop. Other great destinations are Knysna in the garden route, Drakensberg in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Sabie in Mpumalanga and Magaliesberg in Gauteng. The mountain bike trails in South Africa are usually dirt roads, jeep tracks or singletrack foot paths. New marked MTB trail parks with purpose build and dedicated mountain bike trails have now become popular.
Most of the mountain bikers live in Gauteng so riding here is popular. A maze of footpaths and open veld mean that there is no shortage of singletrack. Land access is a problem so many routes are on private land and require owner permission for access. One of the first and formal venues in the country was Dirtopia Trail centre outside Stellenbosch and Clearwater trails in southern KZN. The Cradle of Human Kind or “The Cradle” west of Johannesburg South Africa has over 130km of singletrack riding opportunities. A recent phenomenon is the creation of mountain bike parks in South Africa. This international trend is successful, providing safe and accessible, dedicated maintained mountain bike trails. Popular mountain bike parks are Giba Gorge in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mankele in Mpumalanga, Oak Valley in Western Cape and Wolwekloof in Pretoria.
The best way to find mountain bike trails is to hook up with some local riders in the area. Join a local club or contact the local bike shop. Find out about regular rides and new MTB routes in your area. There are also resources on the internet with MTB trail listings like Mtb Routes and Bike Life. Some books also exist like Top MTB Trails of South Africa. Enter a mountain bike race or event to ride some new and often inaccessible routes in remote areas. Another way to fine new mountain bike trails is a bike tour or holiday. There are many bike tour operators or MTB holiday destinations available.
The best way to find mtb routes is to hook up with some riders in the area because local knowledge is the key to find out where to ride. You can join or contact the local club or the local bike shop to find out about regular rides, this is also a good way to find new routes in your own area. There are also some great resources on the internet with lists of trails to ride like Mtb Routes and Bike Life as well as books like Top MTB Trails of South Africa. Taking part in a mountain bike race or event is also a great way to ride some new and often inaccessible routes in remote areas. Another way to experience some new tracks is to go on a tour or holiday, there is a growing number of operators in South Africa offering some unique riding opportunities.
Mountain Bike Trails Reviewed
Gauteng
Mountain bike trails in Pretoria – Groenkloof, Voortrekker Monument and Klapperkop
Kingskloof mtb trails – West Rand Krugersdorp
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Rest of South Africa