Drakensberg mountain bike trails

May 30, 2021

The Drakensberg is growing into South Africa’s premier mountain biking destination. Drakensberg mountain bike trails offer a huge variety throughout the region. It stands to reason because where there is good hiking, you’ll almost always find a selection of great mountain bike trails.

Drakensberg Mountain Biking — Mountain bike trails in the Drakensberg

Mountain bike trails at Antbear Lodge

There are mountain bike trails starting from Antbear Lodge. You can ride the Giants Castle Mountain bike trail or follow a network of farm tracks at Antbear Lodge. Mountain bike trails vary from 5km to 45km in length. There is no charge for mountain biking at Antbear Lodge. An appreciated feature at Antbear Lodge is a mountain bike cleaning station.

Established Drakensberg bike trail networks

Giants Castle Mountain Bike Trail From quiet country roads and farm tracks to sweeping single-track or downhill thrills this mountain bike trail is perfect for all levels of rider. Traversing through private farmlands, forest and game reserve – you’ll discover the real Midlands and Drakensberg countryside. The Giants Castle Mountain Bike Trail is a day trail that can be accessed from Antbear Lodge, Leopards Lair Lodge and Shaka Lodge in the Zulu Waters Game Reserve. A basic bike trail of a 40km round trip with options of loops and escape routes make this a very flexible ride. No charges levied.
Cathkin Trails is situated in the Central Drakensberg. in the Cathkin Valley area. 30 kilometres of mountain bike trails have already been built and marked and a further 10 kilometres have been built, ready to be marked. Costs are R50 per day per mountain bike.
Mountain Biking on Mike’s Pass. This 35-km trail is arguably one of the best rides in South Africa. Scenically, this is one of the most beautiful trails in the country. Once you get to the top of Mike’s Pass, you will realize how Cathedral Peak came to get its name. Surrounded by an amphitheatre of soaring mountains, with endless blue sky above you, it is very much like stepping into a cathedral. The ride is special in that this incredible vista is never out of sight. This trail is for adventurous mountain-bikers, traversing real mountains across gravel roads and technical 4×4 tracks. Rated from difficult to extreme. No permit is needed but an entry of R40 is needed for access to the Cathedral Peak Reserve. The trail is marked.
Drakensberg Mountain Bike Trails is a trail system in the Northern Drakensberg which offers some of the most spectacular mountain bike riding in South Africa. With over 100km of marked and mapped trail, this unique trail system and offers routes for all ability levels. The mountain bike trails are marked according to the International MTB Association Grading system, making it easy for riders to plan their routes. Most of the routes are on purpose built single track, with wide flowing trails on the easier routes,to breath taking climbs and technical downhill for the die-hards. Costs are R130 per per mountain bike.

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Reviews

We only spent one night at Antbear and I am so sad we couldn't stay any longer! We had the most incredible time - Accommodation was beautiful, very clean and comfortable. And the food was out of this world. Andile was an incredible host, and nothing felt like too much trouble! We can't wait to go back!

We stayed at the cave at Antbear lodge. The owner Andrew and his staff are wonderful hosts and made us feel very welcome. Stying at the cave is a unique experience and it is well equipped with a fireplace with ample wood, small fridge and kingsize bed. The cave have a private deck with great views of the river and Drakensberg. Breakfast and dinner were good. Located close to Giants Castle and Kamberg nature reserves. The road to the lodge from the N3 is gravel and in poor condition but accessible with a normal vehicle. All the woodwork and furniture at the lodge is special and very unique

We stayed 3 nights at the lodge, and we enjoyed it so much. It started with a warm welcome by Andile and handpicked flowers in our room. We stayed at no. 8 which is a very spacious, beautiful unit, with a fenced garden for our pup to play. All the woodwork is impressive, from the doors to the furniture. The fact that our dog was allowed to roam freely everywhere added so much pleasure to our stay. She met up with all the animals, and the highlight was of course meeting Angel! The circular hike is beautiful and our dog loved running in the fields and jumping in the dam. The scenery around the lodge is stunning, it is so peaceful! The first evening it was very cold, but the fireplace kept us warm. Breakfast and dinner were delicious, with lots of homemade treats. It is such a great place to unwind, highly recommend it.

Thoroughly enjoyable stay at Antbear. Accommodation in cave was comfortable, well set out, secluded & quiet with wonderful views of the mountains. Loved the outside shower and sherry was a welcome night cap for the chilly evenings. Staff were fantastic. So friendly & went out of their way to make this occasion special for us. Food was delicious. All home cooked & home grown which made it taste even more heavenly. Compliments to the chef. Wood work too throughout the lodge is absolutely stunning. Only one suggestion that I could make is to perhaps includes a games room especially for those rainy days and for people travelling with children.

Just an amazing place to stay the night. we took her of with a hot air balloon that we booked before. the staff is super friendly they did our laundry and everything. the view is breath taking. the rooms are super cozy. just a place to visit!!!!

We were completely blown away by our stay at Antbear Lodge. It was by far the best accommodation and service we received on honeymoon. The luxury Cave is a must and the food was of the highest standard. We felt so welcomed. We are already planning when we can return. A little gem in the mountains.

We had an absolutely wonderful and very relaxing time at Antbear lodge. The staff are very friendly and accommodating, from the moment we arrived until we left. Both breakfast and dinner were really well prepared. The woodwork is truly something to see everywhere in the main area as well as the rooms. The farm and animals, especially the horses, are well looked after. I will definitely return.