Going for a cycling trip to KZN, which trails are best?

[Craig Armstrong]

I moved from Cape Town to Gauteng at the start of this year.

I have been feeling very uninspired by the trails here in Gauteng, and I've heard that Durban has some awesome trails.

 

I will be going to KZN next weekend with a friend from Cape Town, and was hoping you guys could give me some advice for which trails I should do when I've got limited time. I'm hoping for trails with fun downhills, like the ones we've got in Cape Town.

 

We will be there for about 5 days.

 

Also if anyone has any suggestions for areas to stay in that are central to some of the trails. Not sure if Airbnb is the best route or if there's a cheaper alternative for a trip like this.

[GrahamS2]

Howick, Karkloof, Giba, Holla. All excellent riding and quite different. I’d just stay in Hilton and ride karkloof and howick. And visit the brewery.

Ps. Pies from Rotunda near Hilton are epic

[BikeisLife]

Hillcrest - Giba Gorge 
Howick - Karkloof/Howick Trails 
Ballito - Holla Trails 

[NickGM]

I moved from Cape Town to Gauteng at the start of this year.

I have been feeling very uninspired by the trails here in Gauteng, and I've heard that Durban has some awesome trails.

 

I will be going to KZN next weekend with a friend from Cape Town, and was hoping you guys could give me some advice for which trails I should do when I've got limited time. I'm hoping for trails with fun downhills, like the ones we've got in Cape Town.

 

We will be there for about 5 days.

 

Also if anyone has any suggestions for areas to stay in that are central to some of the trails. Not sure if Airbnb is the best route or if there's a cheaper alternative for a trip like this.

 

Others will be able to help with more detail, but to get you started with looking in the right places:

 

Giba - Bike Parky stuff:

https://www.gibagorge.co.za/

 

Howick - Less bike parky but huge collection of rad trails (all links generally for the same area):

https://www.howickmountainbiking.co.za/

https://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-mtb-trails/

https://www.irideafrica.com/portfolio/howick-mtb-map/

[bullet77]

Sorry for the hijack but do any of those 3/4 trails rent out decent bikes?

[Gate closer]

We have so may great places to ride just depends where you what to base yourself. 

Kaarkloof - Howick

Insingizi - Mid Illovo

Holla Trails - Ballito

Virginia Farms - Eston

Baynesfield - Midlands

Rocky Bay (Not sure if its all been reopened after the floods yet) Park Rynie

 

Have a look at all of them and decide from there. This is not a complete list by any stretch just the ones I really like riding. 

[soslow]

karkloof is amazing. Both uphills and some superb downs.

[TooFatforEpic]

As mentioned above, Karkloof is great.

[Craig Armstrong]

Thanks guys. I didn't realise how far apart the trails would be in KZN.

Looks like the best thing to do would be to stay in Hilton and ride Howick and Karkloof.

Will probably also take a day to go to Giba as well.

[Guest]

Stay at 11 Karkloof . Its a B&B on the Karkloof road and the start point for Howick trails and 8Km from Karkloof trails.

 

http://www.11karkloof.co.za/

[Mr. G]

Hola Trails - Ballito

Clearwater Trails - Port Edward

 

Have not been in about 5 years but they were great.

[NelAndre]

Stay at 11 Karkloof . Its a B&B on the Karkloof road and the start point for Howick trails and 8Km from Karkloof trails.

 

http://www.11karkloof.co.za/

Hi Craig:

 

I agree with Chainsaw. Staying at #11 will give you the best of both. There are some felling in Karkloof at the moment so select routes are open. 99% of the Howick Trails are open. Give me a pm and I will show you around or (if you are a racing snake) I will get someone to show you around

 

Cheers

Andre