We asked: if you had to choose just one top MTB trail in SA, which would it be and why? Here are some of our favourites. (Duplicates have been removed)
Via Facebook
Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, Because it’s paradise! Norbert Meyer
The Tygerberg network, Durbanville Hills. It has something for everyone. – Matthew David Zoutendyk
Anywhere in the hills of Waterval Boven…too beautiful man! – Grant Sangster
Groenkloof, Pretoria, something for all skill levels and the animals are a such a good reminder why we are lucky to be able to ride in SA. – Carola Beretta
The Vasbyt single track in Tokai, Cape Town is pretty sick! – Corniel Jean Seddon
Virginia Trails, Eston. Super, unbeatable hospitality from farmer Pete Stainbank and wife Louise. Perfectly kept and marked trails for all levels of riders – variety, fun, relaxed, great views, family venue. No bundu-bashing. Good enough for the racing snakes and adrenaline junkies to get their “fix” and grandma can sit and relax while you ride. Good ablution facilities. SAFE! - Zelda Cremer Visagie
Thandi in Grabouw, Western cape – Boetie Neethling
Trail of Two Tunnels, De Doorns. Spectacular scenery, mountains, vineyards and an unforgettable, long, eerie pitch black tunnel through the mountain make for a trail to remember. - Jenny Hayes
Mankele MTB bike park just outside Nelspruit is my choice…fun for the whole family! – Avril Pretorius
Welvenpas, Wellington recently knocked the Grabouw area off my top spot. Take a short drive if you know what’s good for you. – Risky Lawrence
Via Twitter
Definitely Rietvlei, Alberton, because its challenging and it’s used for national races – fabezzzz251
Harkerville, between Plett and Knysna. Sweet single track, awesome scenery – getafixcycles
Lebanon in Grabouw because it has the most amazing forested single tracks. – portfolioguy
Oak Valley, Grabouw. So smooth. And the cows. I love the cows. Though Eselfontein (Ceres) is a gem too. – David_Moseley
Definitely Holla Trails in Kwazulu-Natal. Long rides and insane single track – it feels like you’re really “out there”. – Shkankus
Umkomaas Descent, Day 2, Sani2c. It’s rideable as a trail if you want to go any day of the year. Why? Because the track is awesome and the scenery is wow. – raouldejongh
The Bicycling Team
Giba Gorge, KZN. Fantastic single track, sub-tropical vegetation and great restaurant. - Mike Finch, Editor
Van Gaalen, Magaliesberg Perfectly crafted single track with a nice mix of everything. Great family oriented environment. - Andre Valentine, Editorial Assistant
Meerendal, Durbanville My absolute top would have to be Harkerville, Red Route but seeing as that’s already taken, my local favourite is Meerendal. Love the single track, just goes on forever! Great coffee at their coffee shop too. - Kirsten Curtis, Online Editor
Majik Forest, Durbanville. It’s pretty technical but gets the adrenalin flowing. - Maresa Pretorius, Designer
Do you have any to add? List them in the comments below.
Hey – who forgot the rides all around Sabie – beautifully marked and maintained?
White river in Mpumalanga has literaly got hundreds of kilometers of the most amazing routes through forests, both indigenouse and foreign. Also up hills and into valleys and kloof’s.
some of the most challenging drop off’s, stream crossings and more. Unfortunately not all of them are mapped.
Contact me or follow my routes on Endomondo.
Don’t forget about mankele mtb park,probably the best bushtunnels in the country..
MTB tracks around Howick in KZN – 50 odd kilometres of prime track with everything from bridges to waterfalls, from rocky technical stuff to fast and flowing through forests!
The best trail has to be Joburg2C – for the Drakensberg, the single track, the vibe, the people and the nine days out of the office.
It has to be the Karkloof area in KZN, the best flowing single track with a great mix of technical and easy riding, all in the stunning KZN Midlands!
Eselfontein in Ceres undisputed winner of hardcore singletrack riding in the cape
Groenkloof bly my gunsteling. Die Voortrekkermonument is ook goed maar beknop. Fonteine is heeltemal te tegnies vir my, jy stoot meer fiets as wat jy kan ry (“not for the faint hearted”).
Thaba Trails in south of JHB awesome. Wendells way recently opened on green route and most challenging single-track I have ever ridden. Rocky but approximately 3-4km of unbroken single-track with steep technical climbs.
Parys Dirtmax (Free State).
So many !! Hmm, jonkershoek, Cluver/Thandi, Hoogekraal , Contemanskloof , Oak Valley – all sublime ….