Cascades Mountain Bike Park is the pride of Pietermaritzburg, and home to the reigning Downhill World Champion, Greg Minnaar. The popular venue has hosted the 2009, 2011 and 2012 UCI MTB World Cup series opening rounds, and played host to the 2013 UCI MTB World Champs.

While the trails offer technical challenges for the discerning rider, there is also a myriad of forestry paths and easier tracks for the less experienced rider. Weekday mornings and afternoons, and weekends see Cascades light up with many hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers tackling the forest. The trails are free to ride and parking is available at the rear of Cascades Lifestyle Centre.

Access to the Cedara Forests is via many points for locals, but out-of-towners should best park at the Old Main Brewery pub (old Crossways) in Hilton. Cedara forest plays host to a popular MTB race each year, the Cowan House Classic, which sets off from the Cowan House school.

An extensive network of flowing singletrack trails exists within the Cedara forest, with forestry roads to climb in order to begin the next section of exhilarating descending through the trees. Old signs and spray painted arrows on older trees may still exist through the forest from many years of races held at the venue. Riding with locals will best allow you to get the full Cedara experience.

Situated a few kilometres off the N3, just over an hour from Durban and 5 hours from Johannesburg, the beautiful Karkloof valley in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is fast becoming one of the premier mountain biking destinations in South Africa.

The popular Karkloof MTB trails offer riding for varying degrees of ability in 10km, 20km and 30km loops. All the routes start and finish at the Karkloof Country Club and are graded in accordance with IMBA’s guidelines. Each section of trail within the routes has a unique name. Visit the Karkloof MTB Trails website for more information and videos of these great trails in the KZN Midlands.

Forestry singletrack trails in the plantations between Howick and Karkloof (KZN Midlands). Over 30km of manicured trails are ready to ride, varying from gentle terrain and tree lined paths to attention-grabbing sections that are aptly named Suicide Slide, The Face, Rushalot and Pines.

All levels of riders are catered for at the Howick MTB trails. A R30 Trail Fee is payable, and riders are required to complete a Sappi Day Indemnity. Local outlets are at Howick Cycles (Annual/Day licence), Howick Hospital (Day licence), Yellowwood Cafe (Day licence), Velo-Life Hilton (Day licence), Crusty Corner Greendale (Honesty Box). Visit the Howick Mountain Biking website for detailed information and trail maps.