Northern Drakensberg - MTB Trails

[Nalith]

Are there any good places to stay in the Northern Drakensberg that have good MTB trails close by? I am looking at arranging a MTB weekend away with some mates in the Drakensberg or surrounding.

 

I see The Cavern Berg Resort seems to have a few trails departing from there, we are looking for beginner to intermediate trails.

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited January 20, 2014 by Nalith

[Thorn199]

http://www.alloutadventures.co.za/mountain-biking/

 

http://www.alpineheath.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=134

[ichnusa]

Awesome area and awesome trails... well worth a visit. All the trails are connected and signposted - you can make the ride as long or as short as you like.

[Grebel]

Another option is the Central Berg and Mountain Splendour. Very nice park. Camping and serviced accommodation available. Other options around as well ranging from luxurious to rustic.

[Pusher]

Why don't you enter the Royal Drakensberg MTB Challenge on the 29/30th March.

http://www.royaldrakmtb.co.za/

[kosmonooit]

Mahai campsite in the Royal Natal Park must be one of the best on the planet

[Nalith]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Is there a good site where I can get the GPX files from? Does not seem like http://openmtbmap.org/ has the Drakensberg routes in or am I just missing them?

[beanz]

Also check this thread...

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/120579-drakensberg-mtb-trails/

You don't really need GPX files. The trails from All-Out adventures are so well marked, you can't really get lost.

The trails connect all the resorts in the area, including the Cavern, Hlalanathi,

From the Cavern you can get onto the Grotto trail (without driving). From Hlalanati you can ride to the adventure center in about 10 minutes and from there you have the most options. Being the drakensberg, some of the longer trails are quite hard going.

 

Next time I go there I'd like to arrange to do a (mainly) downhill ride from caterpillar and catfish to all-out adventures. Some landowner permission may be required, but it would be fun.

[Li Mu Bai]

the route around the cavern is good, make sure you are fit.

fairly well markerd, takes you around the cavern down to Mont aux Sources, to alloutadventures, across to Alpine Heath etc.

good riding, felt quite safe alone (dont get hurt, not many folks out there)

good wildlife spotting too.

[Li Mu Bai]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Is there a good site where I can get the GPX files from? Does not seem like http://openmtbmap.org/ has the Drakensberg routes in or am I just missing them?

 

At the cavern you buy a permit, and they have a map with all the routes marked.

[ACM]

hi,

 

I did some more riding there in January 2014 (holiday). I did two rides, if you PM me I'll send you the GPX files of the 2 rides, plus last year's ride I did there. The sceneray is great & the riding tough, but awesome.

 

1st ride was with my son: +- 20km and 375m ascent.

2nd ride was on my own: +- 40km and 875m ascent.

 

A couple of things you need to know if you ride at the AllOUTAdventure trails / in the area. The tracks are mainly single track which is very narrow and deep. Even with my 29er and 165mm crank I often hit the side walls / obstacles within the track. I guess the rain is eroding the trails and they've definately deepened from when I rode in 2013 vs 2014. Secondly the trails are not ridden often / by many people so the plants and stuff grow into the trails; some places the trail wasn't so clear... not that you'll get lost, it's just not fun riding through / over the grass. Thirdly, the grass (growing over the trails) in that area has tics. So get yourself some of those stuff at OUTdoorwarehouse that you spray on your clothes (possibly avoid ticbites).

 

But, let me conclude, the riding there is really awesome; I wouldn't let the above "negative" points avoid me from going back there !

 

cheers