South Africa is spoiled with beautifully-maintained mountain biking trails and parks, offering mountain bikers a variety of adrenaline-pumping experiences. To help you discover these exciting mountain bike trails, First Car Rental has created a list of the Top 10 Mountain Bike Trails in South Africa. Rent a car from First Car Rental to access these incredible biking destinations.
1. Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Set in the idyllic and tranquil Giba Valley just 20km from Durban central, Giba Gorge is a world-class mountain bike and lifestyle venue. The park features a variety of trails built around a central picnic area, restaurant, and BMX track, offering a fun-filled day for the whole family to enjoy. Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore this top-rated biking park.
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2. Tygerberg Trails, Western Cape
Located in the south of Cape Town, Tygerberg Trails offers riders over 120km of well-maintained trails that meander through the Cape Peninsula. The network of trails caters to all rider levels—whether you're a novice rider, Cape Epic finisher, cross-country master, downhill enthusiast, weekend warrior, or flat-track fanatic. Rent a car from First Car Rental to ride these diverse trails.
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3. Harkerville Mountain Bike Trails, Garden Route
Harkerville Mountain Bike Trails are situated in the Harkerville Forest, in the heart of the Garden Route. These trails offer a variety of mountain biking routes that vary in difficulty and length, with easy gradients and scenic paths through indigenous forest, fynbos, and along the Harkerville coastline. Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore this scenic mountain biking destination.
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4. Gariep Dam Mountain Bike Trails, Free State
Situated along the edge of one of South Africa's oldest and biggest man-made lakes, the Gariep Dam MTB trails are a mountain biking nirvana. The 150km of trails start in the Gariep Dam Forever Resort and head into the Oviston Nature Reserve, offering riders a combination of gravel roads, single-tracks, game paths, and jeep tracks. Rent a car from First Car Rental to tackle these expansive trails.
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5. Northern Farm Nature Reserve, Gauteng
Northern Farm Nature Reserve, also known as Diepsloot Nature Reserve, is Johannesburg's best-kept secret, offering over 2,500 hectares of beautiful grass- and woodlands to explore. The mountain biking trails at Northern Farm offer scenic mountain terrain and trails suited to various fitness and skill levels. Hire a car from First Car Rental to discover this hidden gem in Gauteng.
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6. Tokai Mountain Bike Trails, Western Cape
Tokai Mountain Bike Trails are located in the Table Mountain National Park, a world heritage site and popular tourist destination recognized globally for its rich and diverse flora and unique fauna. The mountain trails cater to every type of rider—young and old, beginner to professional, cross-country to downhill. Rent a car from First Car Rental to experience these world-class trails.
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7. Impala Ranch Mountain Bike Trails, Eastern Cape
Impala Ranch is located next to the Jefferys Bay Wind Farm, one of the first and largest wind farms in South Africa. Impala Ranch offers purpose-built mountain bike trails with an enjoyable mix of climbs and long-flowing single-track descents, 360° vistas, streams, exhilarating forest sections, rocks, and boulders. Hire a car from First Car Rental to ride these purpose-built trails.
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8. Eselfontein Farm Mountain Bike Trails, Western Cape
Located on a working farm 150km outside of Cape Town in the foothills of the Ceres Mountains, the Eselfontein Mountain Bike Trails offer a range of routes. Featuring more than 100km of single-track, Eselfontein is rated as one of the best trails in South Africa for single-track riding. Rent a car from First Car Rental to explore these challenging trails.
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9. Karkloof MTB Trails, KwaZulu-Natal
Karkloof is regarded as one of the best trail riding destinations in the country. All routes begin and end at Karkloof Country Club and are graded according to International Mountain Biking Association trail-grading standards. The trails feature a good mix of climbing, forestry roads, single-track, and technical features. Hire a car from First Car Rental to enjoy this premier biking destination.
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10. Goegap Nature Reserve, Northern Cape
This is a must-ride for wildlife lovers, with the trail passing herds of zebra, springbok, and gemsbok. The terrain at Goegap is desert-like and slightly rocky, with the trail splitting into two routes right at the beginning. Some 55km of jeep track and gravel road feature gentle climbs, rocky sections, and sandy patches to test riders' skills. Rent a car from First Car Rental to reach this remote and rugged trail.
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