Mountain biking in South Africa is well established and well supported with every province offering opportunities to satisfy any level of rider – whether it’s a man made course for experienced trick riders, or a steep mountain trail, or a gentle meander through the bush.
Sport Enthusiast Heaven | | |
| |  Sport enthusiasts heaven: South Africa | |
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It has been said that when adventure sport enthusiasts go to heaven they get two choices – one of which is South Africa. This is because it offers spectacular scenery along with a variety of climates and landscapes in a relatively small area.
This makes it a premier destination for all those hyper-energetic people for whom cycling, biking, climbing, hiking, abseiling, parachuting, surfing, canoeing, rafting and bungee jumping are pure bliss. Though many of these activities are the preserve of those with nerves of steel, cycling can be enjoyed by just about anyone and it is in the realm of mountain bike trails where South Africa truly excels.
Pedalling with the ‘Big 5’
A favourite of many is a relatively new offering from the Kruger National Park – escorted biking trails through ‘Big 5’ country. Though some may balk at the thought of riding a bike through lion-and-leopard-infested bush, there’s no better way to enjoy the rich wildlife of the area.
Presently the park offers three trail options, varying in length and difficulty, from a full day trail for the fit and experienced to half-day trails for those with less stamina. And there’s no need to rough it; all trails depart from Olifants Camp where you will stay in comfort, only saddling up for three to four hours at a time.
Each trail party of six is accompanied by two experienced rangers, who will not only look after you should a lone bull elephant take exception to the colour of your riding shorts, but will also keep you entertained with bushveld lore and make sure you see a plethora of wildlife those in cars and buses usually miss.
Western Cape
The dramatic scenery of the Western Cape makes a wonderful backdrop to biking and there are some superb routes in the Cape Town area; including escorted trails on Table Mountain, a wine-tasting pedal through the Cape Winelands or a day-long tour of Cape Point. And that’s just the organised stuff: bring your own bike – or rent one – and there are loads of great self-guided trails in and around the city.
The De Hoop Nature Reserve, about three hours east of Cape Town, has some scenic trails, and there are more great trails on farms in the Swellendam area. But the Western Cape's most popular cycling routes are all on the famed Garden Route. There are kilometres of scenic single track and jeep track trails through tangled indigenous forest, plantations, colourful and fragrant fynbos and along beautiful cliff tops overlooking the ocean.
Mountain Meanders
Of particular interest is the Hamtini Mountain Bike Trail in the Farleigh State Forest, just 15km outside of Knysna. Being one of South Africa’s premier coastal tourist destinations and the oyster capital of South Africa means that, besides biking, you can enjoy a host of other recreational activities, from boating, fishing and snorkelling to eating as many oysters as your wallet allows.
The Swartberg Pass, near the town of Oudtshoorn, offers a great downhill run – there's a tour that takes you up the pass by minibus and leaves you to do the 50km downhill back to the town by bike. It's a great full day trip with visits to the Cango Caves, ostrich farms and other attractions en route. The first 10km, by the way, is a wild, twisty descent that may discourage amateurs.
Wild Rides | | |
| |  Trail options varying in length and difficulty | |
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The Eastern Cape also boasts some superb trails, especially in and around Port Elizabeth, including some gorgeous rides through the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve. The nearby Hogsback Mountainsare fun to explore – mainly on forestry roads – and the Wild Coast offers some real adventure biking, which is best done in a big group or – even better – with vehicle backup.
The Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal have some great jeep tracks for serious cyclists, most notable of which is Sani Pass. This is not a ride for wimps: zigzagging up the mountain into Lesotho, it climbs about 1 200m over eight kilometres.
Needless to say, it’s a bit of a slog going up, but what a downhill rush! The sharp hairpin bends, slippery surfaces and long, steep drops make this a bad choice for beginners and the best choice for living-on-the-edge adrenalin junkies.
Keep on biking.
Images courtesy and © Downhill Adventures
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