Concordia Quiver Tree Trail
Concordia sits in the heart of Namaqualand’s historic copper belt — 5km from Okiep in a landscape that was being actively mined for copper by the Cape Copper Mining Company from 1862, making it one of the oldest industrial mining sites in South Africa. The granite koppies surrounding Concordia carry the legacy of that mining history in rusted infrastructure, rock-cut adits and the quiet ruins of what was once a booming company town. They also host one of the most beautiful natural features of Namaqualand: large colonies of kokerboom (quiver trees, Aloe dichotoma) that root in the granite boulders and grow to 7 metres in height, their distinctive succulent forms silhouetted against the Namaqualand sky in a way that makes the landscape unmistakably unique.
The MTB Loop
The 25km Quiver Tree Loop follows jeep tracks and rocky paths through the granite koppies south and east of Concordia, weaving between kokerboom colonies and copper mining remnants with the open Namaqualand valley as a constant backdrop. The terrain is rocky — loose granite on the hillside sections and more settled gravel on the valley floor. The Concordia Hills Scramble extension adds technical koppie riding for experienced riders who want more elevation and challenge.
Getting There
Concordia is 5km from Okiep on the R382. GPS: -29.5833, 17.8500. From Springbok: R382 south toward Okiep and Concordia (8km total). No fuel in Concordia — use Okiep or Springbok.
Trail Overview
| 📍 Location | Concordia, Namaqualand copper heartland, Northern Cape (start at Concordia village, near Okiep, 5km from Springbok on R382) |
| 📏 Total Distance | 25km of trails |
| ⚡ Difficulty | Moderate |
| 🚵 Discipline | MTB |
| 🛤️ Trail Type | Jeep Track, Rocky Path, Gravel Road |
| 🪨 Surface | Rocky Namaqualand granite terrain, some loose gravel, quiver tree boulder sections — technical in places on hills loop |
| 🕐 Opening Hours | Concordia copper mine heritage (remnant mine infrastructure — visible from road and trails),Quiver tree (kokerboom) colonies (Aloe dichotoma — iconic Namaqualand tree — found in abundance on granite koppies around Concordia),Okiep (5km — Okiep Country Hotel, better services — see Okiep Mining Heritage trail listing),Springbok (8km — full services) |
| 🏘️ Nearest Town | The quiver tree capital of Namaqualand — Concordia’s granite koppies host extraordinary colonies of kokerboom (quiver trees) among the remnants of the historic copper mining belt that predates Kimberley’s diamond rush. Twenty-five kilometres of rocky koppie MTB through one of Namaqualand’s most photogenic landscapes. |
Trail Listings
| Trail Name | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia Quiver Tree Loop | 25km | Moderate (through granite koppies and quiver tree (kokerboom) colonies south and east of Concordia — rocky Namaqualand terrain — historic copper mine remnants) |
| Okiep to Concordia Connector | 8km one way | Easy (flat gravel road between the two copper towns — historic copper mining belt — mine infrastructure visible from road) |
| Concordia Hills Scramble | 15km | Moderate-Difficult (rocky koppie terrain around Concordia — loose granite — technical sections — excellent views over Namaqualand copper valleys) |
Permits & Costs
- Cost: Free.
- Where to buy: Year-round daylight hours. August-September for wildflowers.
Amenities & Facilities
- August to October (wildflowers + quiver trees in spring). April to July also excellent — cool and clear.
Contact & Getting There
- Address: Concordia, Namaqualand copper heartland, Northern Cape (start at Concordia village, near Okiep, 5km from Springbok on R382)
- GPS: -29.5833, 17.8500
- Website: https://experiencenortherncape.com
Best Time to Ride: Concordia (base) | Okiep (5km) | Springbok (8km) | Cape Town (570km via N7)
n
🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →
More Trails in Northern Cape
9 trailsGaries Wildflower Gravel Route
Garies is a small N7 service town 52km south of Kamieskroon in the Namaqualand coastal plain…
Namaqua 40km Flower Trail
The Kamieskroon area sits at the heart of the world's most spectacular wildflower country — the…
Postmasburg Iron Ore Gravel Route
Postmasburg is one of the Northern Cape's significant mining towns — located amid the world's largest…
Calvinia Hantam Gravel Rides
Calvinia is one of the Northern Cape's most charming small towns — a Victorian-era Karoo settlement…
De Aar Desert Gravel Loop
De Aar is the Northern Cape's major railway junction — the point where the main line…
Steinkopf Rocky Descent
Steinkopf (Stone Head, named for a prominent granite dome visible from the town) is a Nama…
Richtersveld 50km Desert Loop
One of the most remote cycling destinations in South Africa — the Richtersveld is a UNESCO…
Pella Mission Village Loop
Pella is one of South Africa's most extraordinary hidden gems — a remote Orange River mission…
Olifantshoek Rocky Outcrop MTB
Olifantshoek (Elephant's Corner) is named for the elephants that once roamed the Kalahari plains in this…