In December many South Africans pack up and head to the coast for the school holidays. So Seamus Allardice thought we’d put together a guide to some great trail destinations on the coast. But so as to not leave those of you out who have to stay inland and keep the economy going, we threw in a few inland gems too.
What makes a great trail destination? It’s easy – really great trails and lots of them. A few nice amenities like a restaurant don’t hurt either, but the idea behind this guide is to give you options of places to ride where you’ll have fun and maybe push your riding to a new height too. Which is a particularly good thing if you’re overindulging on the tasty treats this festive season because at least you’ll come out faster downhill even if your climbing suffers under the weight of the Christmas pounds.
Western Cape
Jonkershoek – Stellenbosch
I’m biased, but I don’t care. I love Jonkers. From Canary on the Northern slopes to the Fire Hut trail on the Southern Slopes via Never Ending Story, Lower Ellis and the Valley Trail with a bit of doubling back to race Ellis and Valley Trail 1 again, before crossing the valley floor to climb to the Fire Hut trail. Now that’s a lekker ride. It’s tough mind you – the climb up the Canary singletrack in particular is a technical and tiring test. But it’s worth it! And best of all there is so much more to riding around Stellenbosch than just Jonkershoek. Explore the trails of Eden (above Paradyskloof), rip it down G-Spot (above Brandwacht), check out the new trail network in the Simonsberg Conservancy or venture out into the winelands of the Bottelary Hills. The options are virtually endless – you’ll want to relocate for sure.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Cape Town or Strand/Somerset West
Non-riding activities: Lots of wine tasting, farmers markets and hiking options
Grab a post-ride bite at: The Ride In Café
More info: without a dedicated website for Jonkershoek your best bet is either www.dirtopia.co.za or www.ridein.co.za.
Welvanpas – Wellington
Not many places can lure the Cape Epic back again and again, but Welvanpas will be hosting the Epic for the second time in three years in 2015. So if you’d like to familiarise yourself with the trails you’ll be riding in the biggest race of the year you might like to go recce them in December. Stage Five of the Epic will take in the new black route, including the Full Monty climb looms ahead, then the amazing Cool Runnings and Cool Runnings Too sections. Then Stage Six tackles more of the Welvanpas singletrack including a mix of trails to keep riders challenged. So we’d suggest you spend a good few days exploring the farm’s epic trails. Pick hot days for Epic acclimatisation purposes or if you’re not entered in the Epic and just want to see what Dr Evil has thrown at those dedicated few go sus out Welvanpas in a more relaxed state of mind – we’re sure you’ll love the riding.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Wellington is 75km from the Cape Town CBD or 126km from Langebaan so it’s a ride you’ll have to plan well if you’re holidaying in Cape Town or on the Weskus
Non-riding activities: Wine tasting or kloofing in Bainskloof
Grab a post-ride bite at: Die ou Meul coffee shop on the Welvanpas farm
More info: www.welvanpas.co.za
Garden Route
Garden Route Trail Park – Barrington (near Knysna)
This is a real must visit spot and it’s in the heart of SA’s holiday mecca. The Garden Route Trail Park, or GRPT for short, has been garnering rave reviews since it opened with the trails described as extended versions of Stellenbosch’s G-Spot, with climbs included. It’s not surprising as Mark Gordon is the trail builder of both. There are currently four routes on offer and with the Garden Route Trail Series taking place on the 21st and the 28th of December 2014 you can either go ride at your own leisure or enter one of the races.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Knysna
Non-riding activities: Trail running, relaxing on the beach, fishing, paddling or just chilling
Grab a post-ride bite at: Trail Café in the GRTP
More info: www.gardenroutetrailpark.com
Harkerville – Plett
Probably one of the better known trail destinations in SA the Harkerville Forest has something for everyone. Its four routes provide singletrack options for any skill level and the mixture of indigenous forests, plantations and coastal fynbos will have the nature fundi in you excited too. It’s also super close to the holiday heaven that is Plettenberg Bay so you can drive out for a ride, smash a quick loop and be back on the beach before the family has tired of beach bats and sun tanning.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Plett
Non-riding activities: Monkey World, World of Birds, hiking in the indigenous forests or a visit to the Knysna Elephant Park.
Grab a post-ride bite at: Harkerville Saturday Market
More info: www.knysnacycles.co.za
Eastern Cape
3 Silos – East London
We covered the opening of the 3 Silos trails in the very first issue of Full Sus so we’ve got a soft spot for them. But sentimentality aside the 3 Silos trails are well worth a visit. Think natural veld, loads of singletrack, styles and river crossings. They’re also in the process of building a coffee shop for your pre- and post-ride refreshment needs and there’s a kiddies MTB loop too so you can get the little ones into mountain biking this December – or let them work off some excess energy.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: East London or Gonubie
Non-riding activities: Trail running, chilling on the beach or get a bit of culture and visit the Ann Bryant Art Gallery or the East London Museum where you can check the coelacanth
Grab a post-ride bite at: The 3 Silos Café (if it’s finished in time)
More info: Find them on Facebook by searching 3 Silos MTB Adventure Trails
3 River Trails– J-Bay
J-Bay isn’t just about surfing any more with the 200km massive 3 River Trails network nearby. You’ll be able to get some serious riding in if you’re holidaying in the area too. Starting and finishing at the J-Bay Zebra Lodge just off the R101 is the J-Bay Bike Park. It’s probably the place to start your holiday riding with six routes on offer, with four easy routes, an intermediate and an advanced route. Once you’ve got those under your belt it’s time to head across the N2 and take in the two short and two long Crossways trails. And to top it all, there’s the 20km Woodridge School trail in PE too.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: J-Bay, St Francis or PE
Non-riding activities: Bird Watching, game viewing, surfing and sailing
Grab a post-ride bite at: Crossways Country Kitchen at the J-Bay Zebra Lodge
More info: www.3riverstrails.co.za
KZN Midlands
Karkloof – Howick
The trail riding destination in SA, hands down. If you plan to spend your vacation in KZN make a plan to spend some time riding in the Karkloof. There are 10km, 20km, and 30km routes plus an Olympic style cross country course to ride all packed with berms and features sculpted for your enjoyment by the one and only Hylton Turvey. It all starts at the Karkloof Country Club where you can purchase a day permit to ride and tell your post-ride war stories over a bite to eat. We probably should mention it was voted SA’s top trail by a rival publication so it’s not just Full Sus telling you to go ride there.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: The KZN Midlands (or just book your holiday to ride Karkloof)
Non-riding activities: Canopy tours, birding, or treat yourself to a spa day at Indigo Fields or the Fordoun Hotel
Grab a post-ride bite at: Tumble Downs Café and Restaurant
More info: www.karkloofmtbtrails.co.za
KZN South Coast
Clearwater Trails – Port Edward
It’s only just-just in KZN as the trails are on the KZN banks of the Eastern Cape border forming Mtamvuna River. Starting and finishing at the Clearwater Café the longer trails take in the Beaver Creek Coffee Estate and Crags View Wild Care Centre too and all the trails offer stunning Indian Ocean views as an added bonus. There is also the spectacular Gorge View deck which overlooks the Mtamvuna River gorge which is sure to take what little post-ride breath you have away.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Southbroom or Margate
Non-riding activities: Hiking, trail running, bass fishing and sightseeing on one of SA’s most beautiful stretches of coastline
Grab a post-ride bite at: The Clearwater Café
More info: www.clearwatertrails.co.za
KZN North Coast
Holla MTB Trails – Ballito
Blast your way along any one of the three hundred and thirty kilometres of riding on offer in and around Holla Trails. There are ten routes on offer with the longest and toughest one, the black route, offering a further three choices so you’re unlikely to get bored at Holla Trails. The agricultural landscape of the area is dominated by sugar cane fields and the trails take in a fair amount of ‘cane’ trails, but there’s also some great forest paths and testing farm roads. If you do one of the longer rides make sure you take a map if you’re not familiar with the area.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Ballito or Umhlanga
Non-riding activities: Chill on the beach, learn to surf or visit uShaka Marine World.
Grab a post-ride bite at: Fiamma Grill (in Ballito)
More info: www.hollatrails.co.za
Inland
Mankele – Nelspruit (Mpumalanga)
The Mankele Trails near Nelspruit are some of SA’s best loved. Riders rave about them and with events like the Isuzu 3 Towers and the Mankele Avalanche acting as great advertisements for the trails they’re sure to be a popular trail riding destination this festive season. There are ten route options encompassing everything from beginner to full throttle downhill and most of the routes have short “black dot” technical detours to add some extra excitement to your ride. All routes start and finish at the Mankele Reception and there’s a coffee shop and swimming pool too so you’ll be able to grab a post-ride refreshment and have a dip to cool off.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: The Lowveld, or for a stop on your way to Mozam or Kruger
Non-riding activities: Visit the Sudwala caves, tube down the river or chill in the pool
Grab a post-ride bite at: The Mankele coffee shop is open throughout the school holidays
More info: www.mankele.co.za
Magaliesberg Trails/Van Gaalen’s – Skeerpoort (North West)
If you’re not fortunate enough to get out of the big smoke of Jozi or Pretoria for the December holidays you should plan a weekend or day trip to Hartbeespoort to go ride the Magaliesberg Trails. The trails were developed by Erik Schipper, who negotiated access over 30 private properties to set-up an extensive network of singletracks that can offer you massively long rides if you’re not scared to venture onto the maze of gravel roads connecting the farms South West of the dam (take a GPS to help you find your way home). The area and trails are also very popular with riders of the equine steeds and you should keep in mind that horses have right of way on the Magaliesberg Trails.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Staying in Jozi for the holiday or venturing down to the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Non-riding activities: Horse riding, trail running enjoying the relaxed country living atmosphere.
Grab a post-ride bite at: Van Gaalen’s Cheese Farm Restaurant
More info: www.vangaalen.co.za
Camelroc – Fouriesburg (Free State)
For those of you going somewhere completely different for your holidays, the Rooiberge of the Eastern Free State offer some amazing mountain biking opportunities. You might know the area a bit from the National MTB Series race in Clarens which is 40km away from the Camelroc Guest Farm, and its MTB trails, near the Caledonspoort Border Post. Camelroc boast a short 10km route on the property and a tough 30km route, with options to cut it shorter to 10 or 20km. With views of the Maluti Mountains, the two Caledon rivers and rural Lesotho on offer you will want to pace yourself when you tackle the climbs so as to not exhaust yourself to the point where you can’t take in the scenery. There are also great hiking trails in the area which take in the San rock paintings in the mysterious “Grot Woning”.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Lesotho, Eastern Free State or Golden Gate National Park
Non-riding activities: 4×4 trails, hiking, bird and game viewing
Grab a post-ride bite at: The Rose House (Between Clarens and Fouriesburg)
More info: www.camelroc.co.za
AfriSki – Oxbow (Lesotho)
Reading AfriSki you might be forgiven for thinking we’ve lost it a bit – but the lack of year round snow in the mountain kingdom (it’s the Drakensberg not the Himalayas) has encouraged the AfriSki folks to embrace mountain biking in the summer months. They’ve put in an ever expanding network of trails with the idea of turning the summer months in Lesotho into a mountain biker’s dream. There are five downhill trails and an Enduro route, plus kays and kays of district roads if you’re keen on getting some altitude training in. Best of all though is the ski-lift which takes all the hassle (read pedalling) out of getting back to the top of the runs. Could you ask for more? It’s like a mini, local, Morzine just across our border.
Perfect if you’re holidaying in: Lesotho
Non-riding activities: Hiking, sky running, 4×4 or motor biking, fly fishing and Abseiling
Grab a post-ride bite at: Gondola Café
More info: www.afriski.net
