Oxbow Mountain Bike Trails
Oxbow Lodge at 2,400m in the Lesotho highlands is best known as southern Africa’s only ski destination, but the surrounding terrain delivers excellent MTB riding for most of the year. The Maluti Mountains here are dramatic — steep river valleys carved into the basalt plateau, Basotho villages perched on hillsides, and crystal-clear mountain streams running year-round.
The Trails
The 15km Oxbow Valley Loop follows the Malibamatso River through the upper valley, climbing switchbacks above the lodge to a high viewpoint before descending back through traditional Basotho villages. The 30km Moteng Pass Trail climbs to the Moteng Pass at 3,090m — one of the highest paved roads in Africa — before looping back on double track. The views on clear days extend to the Drakensberg escarpment 80km distant.
Getting There
From Maseru take the A1 north to Butha-Buthe, then the A3 east. The road is tar all the way to Oxbow — Lesotho’s highest paved road. GPS: -28.7167, 28.7000.
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