Start Your Ride in the Stunning Eastern Cape

Get ready for a breathtaking biking adventure! The mountain bike trails in Eastern Cape offer a diverse range of terrain, from lush coastal routes to challenging mountain climbs. Whether you’re a beginner looking for scenic rides through the countryside or an experienced rider seeking thrilling MTB routes in rugged terrain, the Eastern Cape has something to offer. Explore the best MTB trails in Eastern Cape, featuring everything from forest tracks to rocky mountain paths. Ready for the ride of your life? Saddle up and hit the trails today!

USE OUR MTBAPP TRAIL ASSISTANT TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON TRAILS, COMPARE ROUTES, AND EVEN FIND A COFFEE SHOP NEARBY. [BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER]

Why Eastern Cape Trails Are a Biker’s Dream

The Eastern Cape mountain biking routes provide the perfect mix of technical challenges and scenic beauty. Here’s why every rider should check out these incredible trails:

🌊 Coastal MTB trails in Eastern Cape – Pedal through lush coastal forests, with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. These coastal MTB routes offer smooth singletracks along the beach, perfect for riders of all levels.
🏞 Challenging mountain biking in Eastern Cape – If you’re looking for a real test, take on the rugged MTB trails in the Amatola Mountains or Baviaanskloof. These paths include steep ascents, rocky descents, and thrilling technical sections.
🌳 Eastern Cape forest MTB routes – Ride through the dense forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park, with well-maintained trails that offer a mix of winding paths and varied terrain.
🦓 Nature reserve MTB trails in Eastern Cape – Discover hidden trails that wind through nature reserves, where you can spot local wildlife and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region.
🌄 Mountain biking in the Drakensberg foothills – Explore the famous Drakensberg MTB routes that take you through steep foothills and offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Your Next Eastern Cape Adventure Starts Here

Plan your Eastern Cape mountain biking adventure with our comprehensive trail guide. Whether you’re looking for a scenic ride along the coast or a technical challenge in the mountains, we have detailed descriptions, terrain insights, and difficulty ratings to help you find the top MTB trails in Eastern Cape.

Explore the best mountain bike trails in Eastern Cape, pick your route, and start riding today!

🔽 Click on the trail names below to expand the trail information!

Eastern Cape Mountain Bike Trails

Addo Elephant Park Loop

Description	A loop through Addo Elephant National Park, offering savanna views and potential wildlife sightings.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Addo
Source	General Knowledge

Alfred Nzo 20km Forest Ride

Description	A 20km ride through forests in the Alfred Nzo District, with lush greenery and gentle climbs.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	Trailforks
Location	Alfred Nzo District
Source	Web ID: 14

Amatola Forest Trail

Description	A trail through the Amatola Forests, featuring dense forest and challenging climbs.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Singletrack, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Amathole District
Source	General Knowledge

Bathurst Farmland Loop

Description	A loop through farmlands near Bathurst, offering open spaces and gentle terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Dirty Boots
Location	Bathurst
Source	Web ID: 1

Baviaanskloof 7km Farm Trail

Description	A short 7km trail on a farm in Baviaanskloof, ideal for beginners.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Getaway
Location	Baviaanskloof
Source	Web ID: 7

Baviaanskloof 18km Farm Loop

Description	An 18km loop on a farm in Baviaanskloof, offering moderate challenges and scenic views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Baviaanskloof
Source	Web ID: 7

Baviaanskloof 32km Challenge

Description	A 32km challenging trail on a farm in Baviaanskloof, with varied terrain and scenic views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Gravel, Rocky
Website	Getaway
Location	Baviaanskloof
Source	Web ID: 7

Baviaanskloof Devil’s Ride

Description	A 180-200km, 2-4 day guided bikepacking trek through Baviaans River Valley, starting at Request Farm, with guest farm stays.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Gravel, Steep
Website	Getaway
Location	Baviaanskloof
Source	Web ID: 7

Buffalo City Coastal Sprint

Description	A fast coastal sprint in Buffalo City, featuring sandy terrain and ocean views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	Trailforks
Location	Buffalo City
Source	Web ID: 14

Cathcart Grassland Loop

Description	A loop through grasslands near Cathcart, offering open terrain and gentle climbs.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Dirty Boots
Location	Cathcart
Source	Web ID: 1

Cintsa Coastal Trail

Description	A coastal trail near Cintsa, with sandy sections and ocean views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Cintsa
Source	General Knowledge

Coffee Bay Cliff Ride

Description	A ride along the cliffs of Coffee Bay, offering dramatic coastal views and challenging terrain.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Coffee Bay
Source	General Knowledge

Commando Drift Nature Reserve Trail

Description	A 4-hour trail in Commando Drift Nature Reserve, with rocky terrain, Karoo mountains, and wildlife sightings. Permit required.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Rocky, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Between Tarkastad and Cradock
Source	Web ID: 7

Cradock Karoo Loop

Description	A loop through the Karoo near Cradock, offering arid landscapes and open terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Cradock
Source	General Knowledge

Dordrecht Mountain Pass

Description	A challenging ride over a mountain pass near Dordrecht, with steep climbs and scenic views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Dordrecht
Source	General Knowledge

East London Beachfront Trail

Description	A beachfront trail in East London, with sandy sections and coastal scenery.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	East London
Source	General Knowledge

Elands River Valley Ride

Description	A ride through the Elands River Valley, offering scenic views and moderate terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Elands River Valley
Source	General Knowledge

Fort Beaufort Heritage Loop

Description	A loop near Fort Beaufort with historical sites and farmland views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Dirty Boots
Location	Fort Beaufort
Source	Web ID: 1

Gqeberha Coastal Path

Description	A coastal path in Gqeberha, offering ocean views and flat terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Gqeberha
Source	General Knowledge

Grahamstown Botanical Loop

Description	A loop through the botanical gardens in Grahamstown, with gentle terrain and scenic views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Grahamstown
Source	General Knowledge

Haga Haga Coastal Loop

Description	A coastal loop near Haga Haga, with sandy terrain and ocean views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Haga Haga
Source	General Knowledge

Hogsback Blue Cypress Route

Description	One of the Hogsback routes starting at Hogsback Inn, featuring forests, plantations, and the Blue Cypress area.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Hogsback
Source	Web ID: 7

Hogsback Green Madonna Route

Description	One of the Hogsback routes starting at Hogsback Inn, featuring forests, grasslands, and the Green Madonna area.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Hogsback
Source	Web ID: 7

Hogsback Waterfall Loop

Description	One of the Hogsback routes starting at Hogsback Inn, featuring singletrack and views of waterfalls.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Hogsback
Source	Web ID: 7

Jeffreys Bay Dune Ride

Description	A ride through dunes near Jeffreys Bay, with challenging sandy sections and coastal views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Sandy, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Jeffreys Bay
Source	General Knowledge

Joe Gqabi 15km Plateau Ride

Description	A 15km ride on a plateau in Joe Gqabi District, offering open views and gentle terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Trailforks
Location	Joe Gqabi District
Source	Web ID: 14

Kariega River Trail

Description	A trail along the Kariega River, with flat terrain and river views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Kariega
Source	General Knowledge

Kei Mouth Coastal Loop

Description	A coastal loop near Kei Mouth, with sandy terrain and ocean views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Kei Mouth
Source	General Knowledge

Kenton-on-Sea Beach Trail

Description	A beach trail in Kenton-on-Sea, with sandy sections and coastal scenery.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Kenton-on-Sea
Source	General Knowledge

King William’s Town Farmland Ride

Description	A ride through farmlands near King William’s Town, offering open spaces and gentle terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Dirty Boots
Location	King William’s Town
Source	Web ID: 1

Lady Grey Mountain Loop

Description	A mountain loop near Lady Grey, with challenging climbs and Drakensberg views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Lady Grey
Source	General Knowledge

Lusikisiki Forest Ride

Description	A forest ride near Lusikisiki, with lush greenery and moderate terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Lusikisiki
Source	General Knowledge

Maclear Drakensberg Foothills

Description	A ride in the Drakensberg foothills near Maclear, with challenging terrain and mountain views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Maclear
Source	Web ID: 16

Matatiele Mountain Sprint

Description	A fast mountain sprint near Matatiele, with steep climbs and scenic views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Matatiele
Source	General Knowledge

Mdantsane Urban Loop

Description	An urban loop in Mdantsane, offering a mix of paved and gravel paths.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Mdantsane
Source	General Knowledge

Mthatha Dam Ride

Description	A ride around Mthatha Dam, with flat terrain and water views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Mthatha
Source	General Knowledge

Misty Mountain Blue Route

Description	One of four colour-coded trails at Misty Mountain Reserve near Storms River, offering moderate challenges.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Storms River
Source	Web ID: 7

Misty Mountain Green Route

Description	One of four colour-coded trails at Misty Mountain Reserve near Storms River, ideal for beginners.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Getaway
Location	Storms River
Source	Web ID: 7

Misty Mountain Red Route

Description	One of four colour-coded trails at Misty Mountain Reserve near Storms River, with challenging terrain.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Singletrack, Steep
Website	Getaway
Location	Storms River
Source	Web ID: 7

Misty Mountain Yellow Route

Description	One of four colour-coded trails at Misty Mountain Reserve near Storms River, offering a mix of terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Getaway
Location	Storms River
Source	Web ID: 7

Morgan’s Bay Coastal Loop

Description	A coastal loop in Morgan’s Bay, with sandy terrain and ocean views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	Wikiloc
Location	Morgan’s Bay
Source	Web ID: 15

Mount Frere Forest Trail

Description	A forest trail near Mount Frere, with lush greenery and moderate terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Mount Frere
Source	General Knowledge

Nelson Mandela Bay 10km Ride

Description	A 10km ride in Nelson Mandela Bay, offering a mix of urban and coastal paths.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	Trailforks
Location	Nelson Mandela Bay
Source	Web ID: 14

OR Tambo 25km Rural Loop

Description	A 25km rural loop in OR Tambo District, with farmland views and gentle terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Trailforks
Location	OR Tambo District
Source	Web ID: 14

Paterson Savanna Ride

Description	A ride through savanna near Paterson, offering open terrain and potential wildlife sightings.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Paterson
Source	General Knowledge

Port Alfred Marina Loop

Description	A loop around the marina in Port Alfred, with flat terrain and water views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Port Alfred
Source	General Knowledge

Port Elizabeth Boardwalk Trail

Description	A trail along the boardwalk in Port Elizabeth, with coastal views and flat terrain.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Sandy, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Port Elizabeth
Source	General Knowledge

Port St Johns Cliffside Ride

Description	A cliffside ride in Port St Johns, offering dramatic coastal views and challenging terrain.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Port St Johns
Source	General Knowledge

Queenstown Karoo Plains

Description	A ride across the Karoo plains near Queenstown, offering wide-open spaces and solitude.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Queenstown
Source	General Knowledge

Rhodes Drakensberg Descent

Description	A descent in the Drakensberg near Rhodes, with steep terrain and mountain views.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Rhodes
Source	Web ID: 16

Sarah Baartman 30km Outride

Description	A 30km outride in Sarah Baartman District, with varied terrain and scenic views.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	Trailforks
Location	Sarah Baartman District
Source	Web ID: 14

St Francis Bay Canal Ride

Description	A ride along the canals in St Francis Bay, with flat terrain and water views.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	St Francis Bay
Source	General Knowledge

Sterkspruit Valley Loop

Description	A loop through the Sterkspruit Valley, offering scenic views and moderate terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Sterkspruit
Source	General Knowledge

Storms River 22km Coastal Route

Description	A 22km route in Storms River with a steep 5km descent, climbs, pine plantations, and coastal viewpoints. Free permit required at SANParks gate.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Gravel, Steep
Website	Getaway
Location	Storms River
Source	Web ID: 7

Stutterheim Forest Loop

Description	A forest loop near Stutterheim, with lush greenery and moderate terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Singletrack, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Stutterheim
Source	General Knowledge

Tarkastad Rocky Outcrop

Description	A trail near Tarkastad with rocky outcrops and desert terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Rocky, Hilly
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Tarkastad
Source	General Knowledge

Tsitsikamma Forest Trail

Description	A trail through Tsitsikamma Forest, featuring ancient trees and challenging terrain.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Singletrack, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Tsitsikamma
Source	General Knowledge

Uitenhage Gravel Grind

Description	A gravel route near Uitenhage, ideal for endurance rides with open terrain.
Difficulty	Moderate
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Uitenhage
Source	General Knowledge

Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve Trail

Description	A family-friendly trail in Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve, featuring diverse flora and scenic surrounds in a 600ha space.
Difficulty	Easy
Terrain	Gravel, Flat
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Van Stadens
Source	Web ID: 3

Wild Coast 40km Challenge

Description	A 40km challenge along the Wild Coast, with coastal cliffs, forests, and challenging terrain.
Difficulty	Difficult
Terrain	Rocky, Steep
Website	MTBRoutes
Location	Wild Coast
Source	General Knowledge