MORE

MORE

TOP MTB
TRAILS
5.6km

In More Top MTB Trails, youll get

all the dirt on the best trails,
routes
To Marken
and rides in 6 provinces. Up-to-date
route info, great photographs and
excellent, detailed maps make this
book the perfect companion for
18km
experienced as well as aspiring
mountain-biking enthusiasts.

R518

Top Trail Map

Molope
Camp

Bush
Camp
6.9km
Waterberg
Biosphere
Reserve

An overview of the trails reviewed

in the first book, Top MTB Trails,
as well as some trails in our LEGEND
neighTopsy Turvy - 6.2km
As
Good as it Gets bouring countries of Botswana,
6.9km
Coaster
Lesotho and Swaziland, are Roller
also
Ravine - 2.5km
Three Amps - 18km
included in the book.
Kameelperd Koppie -

To Mokopane

Maroela
Camp

2.6km

2.5km

Start Point
240323.5S
282208.2E
Stone
House

Lindani Game
Farm Office

Thabeng

uit
sp r
per
Ko

5.6km
Easy Rider - 4.5km
Down n Out - 2.2km

kR
iv e

The Loft

6.2km

The Ridge - 2.6km

Tarred road
Untarred road
Point of interest
Parking
Picnic site
Highly technical area

Me

So, get on your bike and ride!

2.2km
4.5km

Motseng
Lodge

P
T

To Vaalwater

JACQUES MARAIS

You have the pace to go all the way.

We have the space to take you there.

Visit www.sappi.com/mountainbiking for more information.

I S B N 978-1-77026-593-6

781770 265936
MAC/CPT/0514/TG/NB/RD

MORE TOP MTB TRAILS

Skebenga

TOP MTB
TRAILS

2014.

MapStudio website

100

TRAILS in detail

in the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal,

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West
W I T H D E TA I L E D M A P S A N D G P S P O I N T S

ALSO
AVAILABLE
TOP MTB TRAILS OF
Western Cape, Eastern
Cape and Northern Cape

ISBN 978-1-77026-277-5

Contents
Quickfinder 4
Introduction 6
Getting Started
7
Stuff you Love
8
Ama Rider
10
SAPPI 11
Dirt Menu
12
THE TRAILS
Top Trails
14
Other Trails
82
Minor Trails
151
Top Trails Outside SA
169

DIRECTORY
Gear and Packing List
Dirt Pages - Western Cape
Dirt Pages - Eastern Cape
Dirt Pages - Northern Cape

178
184
184
184

Top Trails (outside SA)

List of trails:
BOTSWANA
Mashatu Game Reserve MTB Safaris

172

LESOTHO
Gates of Paradise MTB Route
Ramabanta MTB Trail
Semonkong Lodge MTB Route

173
174
175

SWAZILAND
Hlane Sun-Up Cycle
Mlilwane MTB Trails

176
177

169

Rustenburg

N
12

Vereeniging

Gauten

N
12

Ogies

Carolina

eMakhazeni

eMalahleni

Middelburg

Groblersdal

Marble Hall

Pilgrims
Rest

Mpumalanga

Massingir

Siteki

Komatipoort

S W A Z I L A N D

Manzini

Mlilwane

MBABANE

Hlane Royal
National Park

Bulembu

N
4

Great Limpopo
Transfrontier
Reserve

Hlane Sun-Up Cycle

Mlilwane
Wildlife
Sanctuary

Songimvelo
Game Reserve

Barberton

eMgwenya (Waterval Boven)

Mbombela
(Nelspruit)

Sabie

Graskop
Hazyview

Kruger
National
Park

Phalaborwa

Hoedspruit

Dullstroom

Mashishing

Penge

Tzaneen

Morebeng

Giyani

Thohoyandou
Louis Trichardt
(Makhado)

Lebowakgomo

N
1

Musina

Z I M B A B W E

N
Germiston
17
Kriel
Breyten
N
11
Springs
Nigel
g Heidelberg
Ermelo
Bethal
N
Secunda
Amsterdam
2
Balfour
N
Morgenzon 11
Sheepmoor
Greylingstad

Sandton

Cullinan

Temba

N
1

N
11

Roedtan

Mookgophong

Zebediela

Polokwane

Limpopo

Mokopane

Bela-Bela

Modimolle

Vaalwater

PRETORIA

Brits

JOHANNESBURG

Krugersdorp

Carletonville

Potchefstroom

Ventersdorp

North
West

Magaliesberg
Nature Area

N
14

Groot
Marico

Pilanesberg
Game Reserve

Thabazimbi

N
11

Lapalala Wilderness
Game Reserve

Marakele NP

Lephalale

Palapye

Mapungubwe NP

M O Z A M B I Q U E

Madikwe GR

A1

170

B O T S W A N A

Northern Tuli
Game Reserve

Mashatu Game Reserve

MAPUTO

Map of Trails (outside SA)

Steynsrus

Ladybrand

Wepener

N
6

MASERU

Lady Grey

Zastron

Rhodes

Mohales Hoek

Mount Fletcher

Eastern
Cape

Matatiele

Qachas Nek

N
2

Kokstad

Howick

Bizana

Harding

Umzimkulu

N
2

Nhlangano

Vryheid

Itala
GR

Dalton

Tongaat

Hibberdene
Port Stepstone

aManzimtoti
uMkomaas
Scottburgh
Park Rynie

Durban

Gingindlovu

River View

St Lucia

St Lucia
Marine
Reserve

iSimangaliso
Wetland Park

Richards Bay

KwaMbonambi

I ND I AN
O C E AN

KwaDukuza

eMpangeni

Melmoth

iMfolozi
Game Reserve

uLundi

Hluhluwe

N
2

Jozini

Kosi
Bay
Tembe Elephant
Game Reserve

Pongolapoort Dam

iNgwavuma

Mkuze

Hluhluwe
Game Reserve

Nongoma

Louwsburg

eShowe
Kranskop
Greytown
N

Margate

Siteki

Hlane Sun-Up Cycle

HlathiKhulu

Paulpietersburg

Pinetown

uMzinto

KwaZuluNatal

Pietermaritzburg
Underberg
Richmond

Mooi River

N
3

Manzini

Mlilwane

MBABANE

Hlane Royal
National Park

S W A Z I L A N D

Mlilwane
Wildlife
Sanctuary

KwaZuluNatal

Pomeroy

Dundee

Weenen
Estcourt

Ladysmith

N
11

Dannhauser

Wakkerstroom
Charlestown
Utrecht

Newcastle

UKhahlamba
Drakensberg Park

Bergville

Mokhotlong

Semonkong Lodge

Ramabanta

Mafeteng Gates of Paradise

Rouxville
Aliwal North

Smithfield

Harrismith

Bethlehem
Golden Gate Highlands
National Park

Bohlokong

Warden

11

N
17

Ermelo
Amsterdam

Carolina
Breyten

Sheepmoor
Iswepe
Amersfoort
eMkhondo (Piet Retief)
N

Volksrust

Memel

Vrede

Standerton

Free
State

Reitz

N
3

Frankfort

Villiers

L E S O T H O

Marquard
Ficksburg
Clocolan

N
8

Lindley

Clarens
Fouriesburg

N
5

Edenville

Petrus
Steyn

N
11

Mpumalanga

Kriel

Bethal
Secunda
Morgenzon
Greylingstad

Germiston
Springs
Nigel
Heidelberg
Balfour

Heilbron

Vaal Dam

Koppies

Senekal

Winburg

Botshabelo Thaba Nchu

Hobhouse
Dewetsdorp

Free
State

N
1

Vredefort

Sasolburg

Vereeniging

Parys

Hennenman

Excelsior

Brandfort

Theunissen

Virginia

Welkom

Mahobe

Maokeng
(Kroonstad)

Viljoenskroon
Bothaville

Orkney

Klerksdorp

N
12

Gauteng

Sandton
JOHANNESBURG

Krugersdorp

Carletonville

N
14

Potchefstroom

North
West

Ventersdorp

171

Mashatu Game Reserve

MTB Safaris
COUNTRY Botswana REGION Northern Tuli CLOSEST TOWN Alldays TRAIL DESTINATION Mashatu Game Reserve

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Getting an entry into an event
such as the annual Nedbank
Tour de Tuli is not always an
option for everyone. However,
if youre keen to experience
the drama of mountain biking
with the ellies roaming the Tuli
Block, then speak to the guys
at Cycle Mashatu.
This independent operator
offers tailor-made, multiday
mountain-biking getaways
in Mashatu Game Reserve,
a wilderness area where big
game range free within the

HOW TO GET THERE

Take the N1 to Polokwane, then follow the
R521 past Mogwadi and Vivo to Alldays.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Avoid the extreme heat in summer.
OFF THE BIKE
Saddle up for a ride of a different kind
with Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris; early
morning or late afternoon outings can be
booked, or opt for a multiday equestrian
safari. Culture vultures should check out
the Mmamakwa Ruins in order to understand a little bit more about the prehistory
of what is certainly a fascinating area.

protected Tuli Block area of

Botswana. Their designated
Wilderness Trail provides an
extraordinary opportunity to
cycle through vast herds of
wildlife, while following ancient
elephant migration paths.
Sleep under star-studded
African skies, waking up
to a dawn coffee while the
bushveld all around you comes
to life. Routes are tailored to
suit individual fitness levels
and abilities, with the aim of
riding for 45 hours a day over
a distance of some 3050km.
Your guide will set quite a
relaxed pace, allowing plenty
of time to take in the views (or
wait for elephants to ensure
safe passing).
Wilderness camps are set up
prior to your arrival and guides
take care of transporting your
luggage. Meals are prepared
over open fires, and hot bucket
showers will wash away the dust
at the end of
every day.

TRAIL
BASICS

Day 1 Ride from the border

to Wilderness Camp, about
two hours away, and stay over
at a rustic wilderness camp in
the heart of the Mashatu
Game Reserve.
Day 2 A day to discover why
Mashatu is called the Land
of the Giants as you follow a
route of approximately 30km
with a mix of rocky outcrops,
sandy river beds and smooth,
flowing singletrack that has
been carved over centuries by
migrating elephants.
Day 3 The approximately
35km ride is in a northerly
direction on well-worn
elephant trails followed
by a gentle climb out of
the Limpopo valley before
cranking westward through
the Valley of the Elephants.
From there, the ride continues
towards the Motloutse River.
Day 4 Time to travel by
vehicle back to the border at
Pont Drift.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Tours have to be booked

FACILITIES: Well-equipped bush camps
BEWARE OF: Wild animals
GRADING: Intermediate
DURATION: 45 hours per day
CONFIGURATION: Point to point
START POINT: Pont Drift Border Post
COORDINATES: S221205.0; E290802.0
TERRAIN: Rocky outcrops, sandy river beds, elephant singletrack
MAP: Not required as these are guided tours
CELL RECEPTION: Intermittent
MORE INFO: : www.mashatu.com ( +27 (0)11 442 2318

172

TRAIL
INFO

Gates of Paradise
MTB Route
COUNTRY Lesotho REGION Central CLOSEST TOWN Malealea TRAIL DESTINATION Malealea Lodge

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Get in touch with your inner
wild child on the grassland
ridges surrounding Malealea
Lodge, undoubtedly one of
Lesothos premier establishments. An easy afternoon ride
loops up along via the Gates
of Paradise Pass, starting right
from the lodge entrance.
Follow the main gravel road
west as it slopes gently
upwards for the first 34km,
making it a comfortable ride

TRAIL
BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Permit from Malealea
FACILITIES: Rondavels, farmhouse bedrooms,
Basotho huts, forest huts (backpackers),
camping, good restaurant
BEWARE OF: Donkey carts; larger-than-life
characters; local brew
MORE INFORMATION: Map link: www.malealea.
co.ls/activities/mountain-biking/

HOW TO GET THERE

On Maseru Bypass: Enter the Maseru Border
Post, then turn right onto Mafeteng Road
after 1km. Pass the airport, turn right and
then continue for 60km till you reach the
Motsekuoa turn-off to Malealea.
From Motsekuoa: Follow the newly tarred road
from Taxi Corner for 10km, then fork right,
keep going for 15km, and then turn left onto a
gravel road. Malealea is 6km beyond Gates of
Paradise Pass.

to where a sign confidently

proclaims distances to Tokyo,
Cape Town, Los Angeles,
Berlin and various other
global centres.
From here, get ready for a
steep slog all the way to the
Gates of Paradise summit
to take in the view, before
cresting and taking the first
track to your left. From here,
it is up to you to route-find
your way as you dip-n-slide
along donkey paths, dirt
roads and cattle tracks
weaving through the
scattered villages.
Basically, you will circumnavigate the mountain in
an anticlockwise direction,

so look out for route options

bearing left along the contour.
There is an eventual climb
back towards a distinctive little
dive by the name of Matebele
Caf (a bright yellow shopcum-bar) where you rejoin the
main gravel road to Malealea,
about halfway up the pass.
Your ride will total up to
around 17km, but there are
more rambunctious offerings
on the Ha Patela Route (49km)
or Malealea Monster (65km).
All in all, Malealea is a place
where peace of mind and the
freedom of the spirit unite,
and where mountain bikers
can come to lose themselves
within the grandeur of
Mother Nature.

GRADING: Intermediate to Extreme

TRAIL
INFO

DURATION: Depends on route chosen from 17 hours

CONFIGURATION: Out-and-back or circular options
START POINT: Malealea Lodge
COORDINATES: S2949.42.2; E273558.9
TERRAIN: Gravel, jeep track, singletrack
MAP: Basic map from lodge
CELL RECEPTION: Patchy

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Each season has its own beauty.
OFF THE BIKE
Majestic scenery, friendly villagers, refreshing
river swims, birding, San paintings, day and
overnight pony treks, hiking, scenic drives or
even a visit to a sangoma.

MORE INFO: : www.malealea.co.ls ( +27 (0)82 552 4215

173

Ramabanta
MTB Trail
COUNTRY Lesotho REGION Central Lesotho CLOSEST TOWN Ramabanta TRAIL DESTINATION Roma

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
This unmarked route will
bang you along a heady mix
of remote gravel roads, jeep
track and singletrack through
the back-country terrain
surrounding the infamous
Thabana Li Meie (or, if you
want, the Mountain with
Nipples). And yes, it does
look like two breasts.
Around 5km on the main
gravel road to Semonkong
gets you to a path that
branches off into the scenic
Makhaleng River valley. For the

next 35km, the trail undulates

along the watercourse, with
much of the riding along bridle
path singletrack. There are
two portage sections and the
ridiculous Three Witches Pass,
but before you know it, youll
be onto the comfortable gravel
road to Nyakosoba.
Cross the main road to follow
another bridle path through
the valley, passing two poppas
significant, flat-topped
outcrops on the way. Things
get dangerously technical as

you approach Roma, and the

route is part of the notorious
Roof of Africa motorbike rally,
with descents fraught with
loose rocks.
The rewards are scenic views
into the lowlands and a fast
run through a pine forest and
across the plateau to Roma.
Another tricky descent from
the plateau, then you may call
yourself a finisher of one of the
toughest stages of the annual
Lesotho Sky MTB Challenge.

TRAIL
BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Public access
FACILITIES: Lodge camp sites at start and finish
BEWARE OF: Loose rocks on downhills

GRADING: Difficult to Extreme

TRAIL
INFO

DURATION: 46 hours
CONFIGURATION: Point-to-point; 66km
START POINT: Ramabanta Trading Post
COORDINATES: S293956.9; E274749.0
TERRAIN: Jeep track, singletrack and gravel road
MAP: Available at www.mtbroutes.co.za
CELL RECEPTION: Sketchy

HOW TO GET THERE

From Maseru, follow the Main South 1 national road for 67km to Ramabanta.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Year-round.
OFF THE BIKE
Off-road bike and quad adventures, 4x4 trails, horse riding, hiking, fly-fishing,
birding, hiking, rock art and cultural experiences.

MORE INFO: : www.tradingpost.co.za ( +266 2234 0202/67

174

Semonkong Lodge
MTB Route
COUNTRY Lesotho REGION Southern Lesotho CLOSEST TOWN Semonkong TRAIL DESTINATION Semonkong Lodge

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
This is about as close to
cowboy country as you will
ever get here in southern
Africa. The Lesotho highlands
around Semonkong could
easily be a landscape captured
in the movie The Man from
Snowy River, with the Basotho
hill tribesmen from the area as
convincing bandits with their
balaclavas and sturdy ponies.
I hope youve packed your Big
Boy pants for this one, because
youre going to need them.
Semonkong or Lesothos
Place of Smoke, named for the
thundering Maletsunyane Falls
is not for sissies. The riding
is ridiculously varied and (in
places) downright extreme.
If you want to go big, the

Baboons Pass return ride to

Ramabanta should cut you
down to size. A looping gravel
road climbs out of Semonkong
to bang you into the high
subalpine slopes (20km). Here
you look for an unmarked
track to your left; gird your
loins and get ready to ride
some seriously rocky technical
sections, bottoming out into
the valley after 25km. Another
half-hour of cranking will get
you to the Trading Post, where
you can swop war stories over
an ice-cold Maluti.
Various shorter routes from
Semonkong Lodge will
allow you to explore the
surroundings,

GRADING: Intermediate to Extreme (some technical riding)

TRAIL
INFO

DURATION: 2 hours (68 hours to Ramabanta)

CONFIGURATION: Circular and return options 1655km
START POINT: Semonkong Lodge
COORDINATES: S295035.3; E280236.4
TERRAIN: Horse tracks, 4x4 routes, footpaths, wilderness
MAP: Available at the lodge
CELL RECEPTION: Good; you need a local sim card or international roaming

but the one option that

stands out is the edgy ride
onto Maletsunyane Gorge.
And when I say edgy, I mean
cliff-tops with 300m drops.
Obviously you can stay out
of the danger zone higher up
along the ridges, but these
horse tracks are for relatively
skilled riders.
All in all, this will be one of your
best days out on a bike, even if
it means you get off and push
every now and then. A basic
map will get you onto a circular
route from the lodge, and the
ride should not take you more
than a couple of hours.

TRAIL
BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Public access
FACILITIES: None on route; accommodation
and restaurant at the lodge
BEWARE OF: Anatolian mountain dogs

HOW TO GET THERE

Follow the road to Roma (30km) from
Maseru and on to Ramabanta (38km). From
here, head onto the Semonkong road (they
were busy tarring this at the time of
writing) and you will reach Semonkong
Lodge after a further 44km.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Year-round; winters may shatter your
equilibrium.
OFF THE BIKE
Go Action Jackson from dawn till dusk,
with anything from superb trail running,
snow-peak bagging, fly-fishing for monster
trout, pony trekking and a 204m Guinness
Book of Records abseil into the dramatic
Maletsunyane Gorge.

MORE INFO: : www.placeofsmoke.co.ls ( +266 2700 6037

175

Hlane
Sun-Up Cycle
COUNTRY Swaziland REGION Lumbo CLOSEST TOWN Manzini TRAIL DESTINATION Hlane Royal National Park

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Feel the need to tune into your
Born to be Wild side? Then set
course for Swaziland and come
and explore the many miles
of MTB trails crisscrossing this
tiny kingdom. If you havent
yet explored The Kingdom,
youre missing out on southern
Africas most spontaneous
tourist destination. You dont
even need a visa!
The Sun-up Cycle is a guided
ride at Hlane Royal National
Park, and is the wake-up call

every mountain biker dreams

of. Rise with the sun, fill up on
a cuppa joe, and keep your
eyes peeled as you duck onto
the short stretch through the
rhino and elephant section.
Once youve made it through
big-game territory, its a gravel
cruise to Mahlindsa Dam
(4km), where you can check
out the bird hide or pedal
further on around the dam.

the singletrack just before

crossing the river. Experience
the perfect blend of mild and
wild riding, following game
tracks swooping amid stands
of tamboti and knob-thorn
on the rivers edge. Once you
T-bone with the dirt road,
various route options can link
you back to Main Camp.

On your return, turn left at the

the Ngoti Road and crank onto

GRADING: Easy to Intermediate

DURATION: 23 hours
CONFIGURATION: Circular 7 Return Combo
START POINT: Ndlovu Main Camp
COORDINATES: S261533.9; E315236.4
TERRAIN: Jeep track, gravel road, singletrack
MAP: Available from reception
CELL RECEPTION: Reception at Ndlovu Camp

TRAIL
INFO
TRAIL
BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Fee payable for
guided ride
FACILITIES: Accommodation, camp site, shop,
restaurant, ablutions, cell reception, braai
area, bikes for hire
BEWARE OF: Dangerous game; snakes

HOW TO GET THERE

From Mbabane/Manzini, follow the M3 to Hlane
Royal National Park, situated near Simunye
(about an hours drive).

BEST TIME OF YEAR

Year-round.
OFF THE BIKE
Guests can partake in a range of activities,
including self-drive exploring, open-vehicle
game drives, lion/rhino tours, birding walks
and a visit to the neighbouring chiefs village.

MORE INFO: : www.biggameparks.org ( +268 528 3943/4

176

Mlilwane
MTB Trails
COUNTRY Swaziland REGION Lobamba CLOSEST TOWN Manzini TRAIL DESTINATION Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
If you cant make it to Swaziland
for the humdinger Imvelo MTB
Challenge, the good news is
that you can visit at any time
to ride at least one days worth
of this superb stage race. All
you need to do is get yourself
to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary,
where a good 45km-plus of jeep
track and singletrack awaits you
and your bike.

The viewpoint here was used

by the erstwhile kings to fling
TRAIL
dissenters and vagabonds to BASICS
their death, and still offers,
erm killer views across the
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Fee payable for
undulating plains. If singletrack
day visitors; guests ride free
is your thing, youll be pleased
FACILITIES: Lodge, chalets, backpackers,
to know Mlilwane now boasts
camp sites, shop, restaurant, ablutions;
11km of purpose-built MTB trail
guides and mountain bikes available
in addition to the various hiking
BEWARE OF: Loose gravel on some
and game tracks.

This scenic reserve is the only

one of Swazilands Big Game
Parks where you can safely
get outside to crank or hike
the landscape, as there is no
dangerous game about (except
for the hippos, of course, but
we hope they will stay in the
lake). You can, however,
prepare yourself for a few
painful ascents, especially if
you plan to climb all the way to
the top of Nyonyane (Rock of
Execution) Peak.

Wooden bridges, technical

rock sections and gritty water
crossings ensure an exhilarating
ride and instant recovery from
any granny-gear grouchiness.
Plus there is a whole heap
of cycling throughout the
surrounding region.

descents

TRAIL
INFO

GRADING: Easy to Intermediate (some steep climbs)

DURATION: 14 hours
CONFIGURATION: Circular ride, as well as return options
START POINT: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Camp Site
COORDINATES: S262805.7; E310942.2
TERRAIN: Jeep track, dirt roads and 10km singletrack
MAP: From Mlilwane reception
CELL RECEPTION: Good

HOW TO GET THERE

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is off the MR3 between
Mbabane and Manzini.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

All year round.
OFF THE BIKE
You dont need a visa, theres no need to convert cash or
learn a new language welcome to the Swazi Kingdom!
Get up close and personal with the Big Five, go rhino
tracking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, horse riding,
scrambling, caving the list is endless.

MORE INFO: : www.biggameparks.org ( +268 528 3944

177

Lindani

LEGEND

MTB Trails
PROVINCE Limpopo REGION Waterberg CLOSEST TOWN Vaalwater TRAIL DESTINATION Lindani Game Farm

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The dramatic landscape shaping
the Waterberg Biosphere
Reserve about 300km north of
Johannesburg locates Lindani
Game Farm within one of South
Africas most breathtaking
natural environments. This
3,200ha swathe of indigenous
bushveld is a place where family
fun and the great outdoors
combine with rich biodiversity,
offering close encounters with
a wide range of mammals, birds
and endemic flora.
With its varied ecosystems and
topography, Lindani lends itself
to mountain-biking exploration,
and their five purpose-built
trails offer extremely rewarding
riding. Riders may range free

along more than 30km of

custom-made singletrack in
total, aimed to satisfy both
experienced riders as well as
those weekend warriors among
you. Even better, if you combine
the singletrack with the many
farm roads and the 4x4 trails,
your potential riding bumps up
into a whole-day affair!

P
T

To Marken
Roller Coaster Ravine
3km

sp
per
Ko

BEST TIME OF YEAR

March to July is probably your best bet to avoid the harsh
summer temperatures. Push your trip out to spring if you
want to enjoy baby game viewing!

OFF THE BIKE

Revel in the luxury of private and secluded lodges, each with
its own pool; go hiking or trail running on Green Flag trails;
enjoy game viewing and birding, or go canoeing on a dam.

Topsy Turvy 12km

Easy Rider 4.3km
Down n Out 5.1km
As Good as it Gets
6.6km

kr
i

Start Point
240324S
282208E
Lindani
Lodge

Down n Out
5.1km

Easy Rider
4.3km

R518

To Marken

Topsy Turvy 12km

Loft

To Mokopane

er

vi

t
rui

LEGEND

Two more singletrack sections

will undoubtedly engage your
interest: Easy Rider (4.3km)
and Down n Out (5.1km).
These include river crossings,
a bridge or two, exceptional
game biking opportunities and
the adrenaline fizz that comes
with riding good singletrack.
And if you are here simply
to cruise the bushveld, the
network of gravel roads on
Lindani will blow your hair
back. Surfaces are firm with
very little sand to worry
about, and youll enjoy
ample animal sightings and
superb scenery. There are a
few long climbs, but even
on these the gradients are
generally moderate, so feel
free to saddle up with the
whole family!

Bush
Camp
As Good as it Gets
6.6km

Roller Coaster Ravine is an

offshoot from As Good as it
Gets, and in effect offers a
chicken-run alternative to the
final white-knuckle stretch of
that trail. Although the initial
section is very steep and rocky,
you will soon synch into a fastpaced downhill ride for the full
length of the kloof. Finish with a
flourish at the Koperspruit wet
crossing onto the road between
Stone House and The Loft.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Vaalwater, take Melkrivier Road; after 37km, the
entrance to Lindani is on your right. From Mokopane, follow
the signs to Marken and then Vaalwater. The Lindani
entrance is on the left, 7km after the Melkrivier Winkel.

MORE INFO: : www.lindani.co.za ( +27 (0)83 809 4291

To Mokopane

Hardcore gravity riders will love

the 6.6km As Good as it Gets
DH Track. This rates as heaven
for downhill enthusiasts, with
a 200m descent from one of
Lindanis highest points all the

Highly technical area

R518

To Marken

Me

The 12km Topsy Turvy Trail

starts on the edge of Melkrivier
in front of Motseng Lodge, and
meanders along level terrain
through two breathtaking
natural amphitheatres before
crossing the river. From here,
ascend along a steady climb
to the top of a koppie to get
stuck into a few of the technical
stretches here. From the summit,
you can link onto a farm road for
a descent back to the start.

way to the Koperspruit. You will

descend via the Hidden Valley
and through a natural gap to
pass the Bush Camp; beware
the final, technical run onto the
spruit, as it demands respect.

Topsy Turvy 12km

Easy Rider 4.3km
Down n Out 5.1km
As Good as it Gets
6.6km
Roller Coaster
Ravine 3km
Tarred / main road
Untarred / dirt road
Point of interest
Parking

Motseng
Lodge

Roller Coaster
Ravine 3km
Tarred / main road
Untarred / dirt road
Point of interest
Parking
Highly technical area

P
T

TRAIL
BASICS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Free for lodge guests; day visitors
To Marken
pay a fee
FACILITIES: Various accommodation options on site; toilets
and showers (when Maroela Camp or Molope Camp Site are
not occupied), picnic sites
BEWARE OF: Game (no Big Five), snakes and the odd drop-off
MORE INFORMATION: Lindani has good quality entry-level
mountain bikes for hire; Vaalwater is your final stop for fuel,
fresh produce and ice

Bush
Camp
To Vaalwater
As Good as it Gets
6.6km

Start Point
TRAIL
240324S
INFO
GRADING: Easy to Difficult
282208E
Lindani
DURATION: Up to five hours
Roller Coaster Ravine
Lodge
CONFIGURATION:
Various circular options; a minimum
3km
P of 60km
START POINT: Farm office
COORDINATES: S240323.5; E282208.2
TERRAIN: Singletrack, firm hard-pack with some gravel and rock,
but very little sand; gritty 4x4 tracks
MAP: Map of singletrack and jeep tracks with contours and
Down n Out
profiles available on website and at the office
t
i
5.1km
p ru CELL RECEPTION: Intermittent Easy Rider
s
r
pe
4.3km
Ko

62

63

LP

Me

Topsy Turvy 12km

MORE

MORE

TOP MTB
TRAILS
5.6km

In More Top MTB Trails, youll get

all the dirt on the best trails,
routes
To Marken
and rides in 6 provinces. Up-to-date
route info, great photographs and
excellent, detailed maps make this
book the perfect companion for
18km
experienced as well as aspiring
mountain-biking enthusiasts.

R518

Top Trail Map

Molope
Camp

Bush
Camp
6.9km
Waterberg
Biosphere
Reserve

An overview of the trails reviewed

in the first book, Top MTB Trails,
as well as some trails in our LEGEND
neighTopsy Turvy - 6.2km
As
Good as it Gets bouring countries of Botswana,
6.9km
Coaster
Lesotho and Swaziland, are Roller
also
Ravine - 2.5km
Three Amps - 18km
included in the book.
Kameelperd Koppie -

To Mokopane

Maroela
Camp

2.6km

2.5km

Start Point
240323.5S
282208.2E
Stone
House

Lindani Game
Farm Office

Thabeng

uit
sp r
per
Ko

5.6km
Easy Rider - 4.5km
Down n Out - 2.2km

kR
iv e

The Loft

6.2km

The Ridge - 2.6km

Tarred road
Untarred road
Point of interest
Parking
Picnic site
Highly technical area

Me

So, get on your bike and ride!

2.2km
4.5km

Motseng
Lodge

P
T

To Vaalwater

JACQUES MARAIS

You have the pace to go all the way.

We have the space to take you there.

Visit www.sappi.com/mountainbiking for more information.

I S B N 978-1-77026-593-6

781770 265936
MAC/CPT/0514/TG/NB/RD

MORE TOP MTB TRAILS

Skebenga

TOP MTB
TRAILS

2014.

MapStudio website

150

TRAILS in detail

in the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal,

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West
W I T H D E TA I L E D M A P S A N D G P S P O I N T S

ALSO
AVAILABLE
TOP MTB TRAILS OF
Western Cape, Eastern
Cape and Northern Cape

ISBN 978-1-77026-277-5