Grahamstown Botanical Loop

Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) is home to Rhodes University and the National Arts Festival, and its surrounding koppies offer surprisingly good mountain bike terrain on a compact 15km loop. The Botanical Garden — one of South Africa’s oldest — and the rocky koppie trails above the university create an enjoyable intermediate ride with historical and botanical interest.

What to Expect

Singletrack and gravel paths through the botanical garden and rocky koppie terrain above the town. The koppie sections provide technical rocky climbing with good views across Makhanda and the surrounding Eastern Cape midlands. The botanical garden sections are gentler and more scenic.

Getting There

Makhanda is on the N2/R67 in the Eastern Cape. Start from the Rhodes University campus or the botanical garden. GPS: -33.3089, 26.5234.

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