Unleash Your Biking Adventure in the Free State
Ready for an unforgettable ride? The mountain bike trails in the Free State offer a unique blend of terrain, from vast grasslands to rugged mountain ranges. Whether you’re looking for scenic routes through farmland or technical climbs in the Maluti Mountains, the Free State promises epic views, varied landscapes, and trails for all skill levels. Explore the best MTB trails in the Free State, with everything from rocky mountain biking routes to smooth, flowing farm tracks. Saddle up and start your next Free State biking adventure 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 Free State Trails Are a Rider’s Paradise
The Free State mountain biking routes offer something for every rider:
🌾 Rural MTB trails in the Free State – Explore smooth dirt roads and narrow farm tracks, ideal for casual rides through open plains and fields.
🏞 Challenging mountain bike trails in the Free State – Tackle the rocky mountain biking routes in the Maluti Mountains or Witteberg for steep climbs and thrilling descents.
🌊 Free State river valley MTB trails – Ride alongside the Orange River and explore river valley trails with water crossings and rugged terrain.
🦓 Mountain biking in Free State nature reserves – Discover scenic mountain bike trails in the Free State that wind through nature reserves, offering wildlife sightings and diverse landscapes.
🌄 Mountain biking in Golden Gate Highlands National Park – Take on the scenic Golden Gate MTB routes with sweeping views of cliffs and basalt hills.
Your Next Ride Starts Here
Plan your Free State mountain biking adventure with our expert trail guide. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly route or a challenging mountain biking experience, we’ve got detailed descriptions, terrain insights, and difficulty ratings to help you find the top MTB trails in the Free State.
Explore the best mountain bike trails in the Free State, choose your route, and hit the dirt today!
🔽 Click on the trail names below to expand the trail information!
| Description | A scenic ride along the Ash River with views of the Maluti Mountains, ideal for a relaxed outing. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Clarens |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A cultural ride near the Basotho Cultural Village in Golden Gate, with historical insights and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Golden Gate |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A ride through the backroads of Bethlehem, featuring farmlands and gentle hills. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bethlehem |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A short, fast singletrack route near Bethlehem with technical sections and quick descents. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Singletrack, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bethlehem |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A gentle loop around the Free State National Botanical Garden, ideal for beginners. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bloemfontein |
| Source | Web ID: 19 |
| Description | A trail through Franklin Nature Reserve in Bloemfontein, offering views of the city and wildlife. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Singletrack, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bloemfontein |
| Source | Web ID: 19 |
| Description | A circuit around Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, with panoramic views and moderate climbs. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Singletrack, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bloemfontein |
| Source | Web ID: 19 |
| Description | A short 10km loop around Clarens village, perfect for a quick ride with scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Clarens |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A 20km route around Clarens with views of sandstone cliffs and the Maluti Mountains. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Clarens |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A 34.71-mile loop near Clarens, offering a mix of gravel roads and singletrack with stunning views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Singletrack |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Clarens |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A 22.76-mile trail near De Rust, featuring moderate terrain and rural landscapes. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | De Rust |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A loop through the farmlands of Fezile Dabi district, offering flat terrain and open views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Fezile Dabi |
| Source | Web ID: 14 |
| Description | A trail through cherry orchards in Ficksburg, known for its annual cherry festival. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Ficksburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A challenging route near Ficksburg with sandstone formations and steep climbs. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Ficksburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through farmsteads near Fouriesburg, with views of the Maluti Mountains. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Fouriesburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A ride along the Wilge River near Frankfort, featuring flat terrain and river views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Frankfort |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail along the Gariep Dam shoreline in the Xhariep district, offering water views and flat terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Gariep Dam |
| Source | Web ID: 14 |
| Description | A 15km loop in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, featuring sandstone formations and wildlife. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Golden Gate |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A 30km challenging route in Golden Gate with steep climbs and rewarding descents. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Golden Gate |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A route to Mushroom Rock in Golden Gate, with unique geological formations and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Golden Gate |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through the grasslands near Harrismith, offering open views and gentle terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Harrismith |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A challenging ascent up Platberg Mountain in Harrismith, with panoramic views from the top. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Harrismith |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A ride through wheatfields near Heilbron, offering flat terrain and rural scenery. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Heilbron |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop around Koppies Dam, featuring water views and flat terrain in the Fezile Dabi district. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Koppies |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A gravel route through the farmlands of Kroonstad, offering a steady ride with open views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Kroonstad |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail near Ladybrand with views of the Maluti Mountains and moderate climbs. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Ladybrand |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through the goldfields of Lejweleputswa district, featuring flat terrain and historical sites. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Lejweleputswa |
| Source | Web ID: 14 |
| Description | A 22.66-mile route near Lindley, offering moderate terrain through rural landscapes. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Lindley |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A 25.98-mile route near Lindley, featuring moderate terrain and scenic farmland views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Lindley |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A 42.72-mile route near Lindley, offering a longer ride through rural landscapes. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Lindley |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A meandering route through the Mangaung district, featuring flat terrain and urban-rural transitions. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Mangaung |
| Source | Web ID: 14 |
| Description | An easy ride from the Green Lantern at Memel (Mahem Guest House), mostly on district roads. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Memel |
| Source | Web ID: 1 |
| Description | A flat ride through the plains of Odendaalsrus in the Lejweleputswa district, ideal for beginners. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Odendaalsrus |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A 15km eco trail on Berakah Farm in Parys, featuring dirt roads and riverbeds. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Parys |
| Source | Web ID: 16 |
| Description | A loop around the Vredefort Dome near Parys, a UNESCO site with geological significance. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Parys |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through farmlands near Petrus Steyn, offering flat terrain and rural scenery. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Petrus Steyn |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail near Phuthaditjhaba with views of the Sentinel Peak in the Drakensberg. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Phuthaditjhaba |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A cultural route through QwaQwa, featuring historical sites and mountain views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | QwaQwa |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A short, fast ride through grasslands near Reitz, ideal for a quick outing. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Reitz |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A mountain escape near Rosendal with challenging climbs and stunning views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Rosendal |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail along the Vaal River near Sasolburg, offering flat terrain and water views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Sasolburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through farm roads near Senekal, featuring flat terrain and rural scenery. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Senekal |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A route through red rock formations near Smithfield in the Xhariep district, with moderate terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Rocky, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Smithfield |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop in Soetdoring Nature Reserve near Bloemfontein, with wildlife and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Bloemfontein |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A 22.16-mile route near Tafu, featuring moderate terrain through rural landscapes. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Tafu |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A loop around Thaba Nchu Mountain, offering challenging climbs and cultural insights. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Thaba Nchu |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A highland trail in Thabo Mofutsanyana district, featuring mountainous terrain and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Steep |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Thabo Mofutsanyana |
| Source | Web ID: 14 |
| Description | A ride through the goldfields near Theunissen in the Lejweleputswa district, with flat terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Theunissen |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop through the Karoo-like landscape near Trompsburg in the Xhariep district, with open terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Trompsburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail connecting two farms near Tweeling, offering flat terrain and rural views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Tweeling |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A countryside loop near Tweespruit, featuring farmlands and gentle terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Tweespruit |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A thrilling descent down Van Reenen Pass, with steep sections and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Tar, Steep |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Van Reenen |
| Source | Web ID: 1 |
| Description | A challenging loop near Ventersburg, known for its tough terrain and scenic views. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Terrain | Rocky, Hilly |
| Website | SA Venues |
| Location | Ventersburg |
| Source | Web ID: 16 |
| Description | A route through sunflower fields near Viljoenskroon, offering flat terrain and vibrant scenery. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Viljoenskroon |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | Trails through old mining areas near Virginia in the Lejweleputswa district, with historical significance. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Hilly |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Virginia |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A 25.81-mile route near Vrede, featuring moderate terrain through rural landscapes. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Wikiloc |
| Location | Vrede |
| Source | Web ID: 6 |
| Description | A loop through wetlands near Vrede, offering birdwatching opportunities and flat terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Vrede |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A ride through sandy plains near Welkom in the Lejweleputswa district, with flat terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Sandy, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Welkom |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A trail near Wepener along the Lesotho border, featuring flat terrain and historical sites. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Wepener |
| Source | General Knowledge |
| Description | A loop near Winburg with historical Voortrekker sites and gentle terrain. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Gravel, Flat |
| Website | Trailforks |
| Location | Winburg |
| Source | General Knowledge |