www.Bikeparks.co.za Waterval Boven review

[N0madADV]

Go to www.bikeparks.co.za for all our reviews

 

 

Waterval Boven (Dutch for “Above the waterfall”) is a venue better known as a premier climbing destination in South Africa. It attracts many an international climber wanting to take on some of the best South Africa has to offer. After spending a weekend riding there it is obvious that there is a bit more on offer than just climbing. That being said the venue can’t be considered a bike park by definition and after chatting to the trail builder, Glenn Harrison, it is obvious this is not his intention. The low volume of riders on the trails does not make it economically viable to turn the venue into a commercial riding venue which in my opinion adds to the charm and feel of the trails. Riding here is an intimate affair with very few if any other riders on the trails. So in that vein the venue did not score very highly overall on the bike parks score card but if you are more concerned with the quality of trails and the grin factor a venue can deliver, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Waterval Boven is an old railway town situated on the edge of the Escarpment on the banks of the Elands River in Mpumalanga, roughly 260km form Johannesburg. The majority of the traveling is done on the N4 highway making it an easy, relatively fast trip. It is always a treat driving through to Mpumalanga and watching how the landscape changes from flat openness to mountainous valleys and mountain biking utopia.

 

There is no official website or venue for riding but Gustav at ‘Roc N Rope’ in the town of Waterval Boven facilitates the process for riders. A trail fee of R20 and a signature on the indemnity form will get you directions to ‘Tranquilitas’ (Starting point of all the rides) and an old school trail map. Ready to roll!

 

The drive up to ‘Tranquilitas’ from Boven was a dusty one along a few kilometers of dirt road; I missed the small sign to turn left into the venue but got there eventually. I was the first to arrive on the Friday afternoon and took the opportunity to take a short hike to the edge of the Escarpment for a time out and take in the outstanding scenery. Once all the others arrived it was the usual biking chatter around a bonfire which got me quite stoked to ride the following morning.

 

for the full review go to: http://www.bikeparks.co.za/review/Watervalboven

[cat-i]

With pictures that I took in 2009: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/38301-boven-last-weekend/

 

Could have just mentioned they were lifted off the hub

[Cav']

With pictures that I took in 2009: http://www.thehubsa....n-last-weekend/

 

Could have just mentioned they were lifted off the hub

sneaky devils

[RockCoach]

Some of the best riding in the country right there.

[Beer4Recovery]

Looks great! How is the crime?

 

Was robbed at Elands krans a few years back while camping with my wife there - could have turned out much worse... After that I was always cautioned about the crime in the area.

 

A bit skittish to visit that place again...

[HaydenWilson]

I spend a lot of time with the rock climbing fraternity and have not heard of any recent incidents in boven. Crime was bad a couple of years ago with guys robbing you while you are climbing (not cool at all!). but they caught the gang responsible and i have not heard of anything since. I still try to stay out of the bottom of the kloof which is near the informal settlement when i climb there. Elands Krans also had quite a bad rep for crime but it has closed now as far as i know.

 

staying with gustav at roc n rope or up at the tranquilitas camp site is great and i seriously recomend them! I am actually planning a trip there for the 7th of july for some climbing and biking. will write a brief review after that.

[Danger Dassie]

With pictures that I took in 2009: http://www.thehubsa....n-last-weekend/

 

Could have just mentioned they were lifted off the hub

 

To quote from the site "uncool" ... wondering about the shots on the banner as well now.

 

Stayed at Roc 'n Rope years back, used to climb in Boven regular, lots of potential out there!

[onetrackmind]

With pictures that I took in 2009: http://www.thehubsa....n-last-weekend/

 

Could have just mentioned they were lifted off the hub

 

So we can presume they didn't actually ride the trails then? Good way to do a review.

[RockCoach]

 

 

So we can presume they didn't actually ride the trails then? Good way to do a review.

 

I don't really agree with most of their ratings either...

 

I kinda feel like Boven is a quiet MTB jewel where you have to know someone who has been there to find your way around. It is technical trail riding and not for the masses.

[cat-i]

So we can presume they didn't actually ride the trails then? Good way to do a review.

There's few people (apart from glenn himself) that knows the trails as well as the review writers. They just prefer to ride rather than stop to take pictures. Doesn't mean they can lift other people's pictures, though

[cat-i]

I don't really agree with most of their ratings either...

 

I kinda feel like Boven is a quiet MTB jewel where you have to know someone who has been there to find your way around. It is technical trail riding and not for the masses.

 

there are less technical trails. a huge variety - twisty forest tracks, some bridgies, a playground, long climbs, and mindblowing downhills. Sure Alex from Roc & rope would be able to explain to you where to ride. Or get hold of Glenn to show you around. Or just invite me for a weekend

[RockCoach]

 

 

there are less technical trails. a huge variety - twisty forest tracks, some bridgies, a playground, long climbs, and mindblowing downhills. Sure Alex from Roc & rope would be able to explain to you where to ride. Or get hold of Glenn to show you around. Or just invite me for a weekend

 

You misunderstood... I meant that I like the fact that you have to know someone to find your way. I know my way around all 3 of the main trails even in the dark.

 

Glenn is a good friend and he has taken us on the much less known "trails" around the northern loop of town. Awesome riding.

[theresed]

been there twice from Nelspruit and had a good time, nice amenities. Awesome scenery, trails are VERY well groomed, fun sections, looking forward to the x trail.