WHAT’S IN OUR BACKYARD?
Cascades MTB Park
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.
Trail fee: FREE
Address: 23 Mc Carthy Drive, Montrose, Pietermaritzburg
GPS: 29°34'17.60"S / 30°21'17.94"E
Hilton/Cedara forests
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.
Trail fee: FREE
Address: Cnr Old Howick Road and Dennis Shepstone Drive, Hilton
GPS: 29°33'52.00"S / 30°18'0.72"E
Hilton Gardens Trails
Beautifully manicured trails have been crafted for singletrack lovers. Begin at the corner of Elizabeth Drive and Hilton Road, in Hilton Gardens and follow roughly 15-20km of marked trail though the forests, winding their way on the east and west sides of Hilton Road.
Singletrack dominates these trails in Hilton, with very little forestry roads used, except for crossing over from one forest to the next. Be cautious of traffic when crossing over Hilton Road at Grace College, which is where the fun continues. Locals familiar with the lie of the land will find new ways to get home, but those who have parked outside Grace College will climb from the base of the College property back to Hilton Road.
Trail fee: FREE
Address: Cnr Elizabeth Drive and Hilton Road, Hilton Gardens
GPS: 29°32'4.97"S / 30°17'54.69"E
Howick MTB Trails
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.
Trail fee: YES, payable at the outlets listed above
Address: Park at Yellowwood Cafe, Karkloof Road
GPS: 29°28'41.67"S / 30°14'12.90"E
Virginia Trails
Virginia Farm is situated in the Eston region of KwaZulu-Natal. Eston is halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and is predominantly a sugar cane farming area. The Virginia Farm Trails offer 65km of farm trails with about 8km of singletrack, appealing to bikers and hikers alike.
Pete and Lou Stainbank have opened their sugar cane farm and all its beauty for you to enjoy. Timber plantations, sugar cane fields, grasslands, indigenous bush, high sandstone cliffs, deep valleys, streams and dams. Safe and fully marked routes are designed to accommodate all ages and fitness levels in a magnificent environment. On-site accommodation, showers and coffee shop also available.
Trail fee: YES, payable at Virginia Farms
Address: at eZimwini turn off from the R603, Eston
GPS: S 29°59'27.73" / E 30°36'35.10"
Karkloof MTB Trails
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.
Trail fee: YES, payable at Karkloof Country Club
Address: 12km outside Howick on the Karkloof Road
GPS: 29°22'57.88"S / 30°15'48.80"E
GREG MINNAAR CYCLES STRAVA CLUB
Follow us on Strava and ride and share some of the trails that we enjoy close to home.