Bloemfontein Naval Hill Circuit
Naval Hill is Bloemfontein’s landmark hilltop — visible from across the city and home to the Nelson Mandela statue, a planetarium and the most sweeping 360-degree views in the Free State capital. The 10km MTB circuit climbs the hill’s rocky slopes on technical singletrack and jeep track, delivering those panoramic views as the reward for the climb.
What to Expect
The rocky terrain of Naval Hill’s koppie slopes provides intermediate to technical singletrack with genuine climbing. The views from the summit extend across Bloemfontein and out over the flat Free State plains in all directions — on a clear winter day, the visibility is exceptional. The descent back down has fast, flowing sections through rocky terrain.
Combined Experience
Naval Hill sits within the Franklin Game Reserve — combining the Naval Hill circuit with the game reserve loop makes a fuller 20km+ day out with both riding quality and wildlife viewing.
Getting There
Access via the Franklin Game Reserve gate in Bloemfontein. GPS: -29.1189, 26.2034.
n
🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →
More Trails in Free State
9 trailsTweeling Twin Farms Trail
30km intermediate gravel ride from the twin-themed town of Tweeling through the productive eastern Free State…
Lindley 22.66 Mile Route
36km intermediate gravel loop from Lindley through the agricultural plains of the eastern Highveld — mealie…
Parys Vredefort Dome Loop
45km advanced loop around the Vredefort Dome — the world's largest and oldest meteorite impact crater,…
Ash River Outride
35km intermediate gravel outride along the Ash River valley in the northern Free State — rolling…
Gariep Dam Shoreline Trail
28km intermediate shoreline trail at South Africa's largest dam — gravel and dirt tracks along the…
Harrismith Grassland Loop
28km intermediate Highveld grassland loop from Harrismith — wide gravel roads through open grassland with the…
Kroonstad Gravel Grind
50km intermediate gravel grind from Kroonstad through the rolling Highveld plains of the central Free State…
Fezile Dabi Farmland Loop
40km intermediate farmland gravel loop through the agricultural heart of the Fezile Dabi District — mealie…
Ventersburg Challenge Loop
42km intermediate gravel challenge from Ventersburg — a longer loop through the central Free State goldfields…
