Upington 15km Orange River Loop

🏔️ TRAIL CONDITIONS TODAY

Updated 2 hours ago · 🗺️ Northern Cape (province average)

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16°C

Rain · Avoid trails

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Poor Conditions

Trails likely muddy or waterlogged. Check local reports before heading out.

💧 Precipitation 12%

💦 Humidity 76%

💨 Wind 13 km/h

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Upington sits on the banks of the Orange River in the Green Kalahari — the stretch of riverine land along the Orange that is improbably lush against the surrounding desert, supporting vineyards, date palms, fig trees and a riverside culture entirely at odds with the extreme Kalahari landscape just kilometres away. The 15km Orange River Loop is an accessible, flat introduction to the area — a gentle riverside ride through Upington’s leafy waterfront, past the famous Kalahari-Oranje Wine Cooperative and the sprawling Orange River Cellars, before returning to town along the opposite bank.

What to Expect

This is easy, family-friendly riding on riverside paths and low-traffic roads — no technical skill required, minimal elevation change, plenty of shade from the riverside trees. The Orange River riparian belt is extraordinarily rich in birdlife, and the contrast between the lush green riverbanks and the red Kalahari sand beyond them creates a visual distinctiveness that is uniquely Northern Cape.

The Kalahari-Oranje Wine Estate produces some of South Africa’s most unique wines — the extreme heat and alkaline desert soils produce wines with a character found nowhere else. A post-ride tasting is an essential part of the Upington cycling experience. Le Must Restaurant on the riverbank is consistently rated as one of the finest dining experiences in the Northern Cape.

Getting There

Upington is 120km east of Augrabies Falls on the N14, and the base city for all Green Kalahari cycling. GPS for waterfront start: -28.4478, 21.2561. Upington Tourism: +27 54 332 6064.

Trail Overview

📍 Location	Upington, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape (start at Orange River waterfront, Upington)
📏 Total Distance	15km of trails
⚡ Difficulty	Easy
🚵 Discipline	MTB
🛤️ Trail Type	Gravel Path, Tar Road
🪨 Surface	Flat riverside terrain and urban roads — Orange River riparian vegetation
🕐 Opening Hours	Kalahari-Oranje Wine Estate and Cellar (en-route — Northern Cape’s wine region),Orange River Cellars (en-route),Le Must Restaurant (Upington — top post-ride dining),Sakkie se Arkie houseboat (Orange River sunset cruise — book ahead),Full city facilities in Upington (fuel, accommodation, shops)
🏘️ Nearest Town	A flat 15km riverside loop along the Orange River through Upington — the Green Kalahari capital — past the Kalahari-Oranje wine estates, riverine fig trees and the shimmering river that has sustained life in this extreme desert for millennia. The perfect warm-up for a Green Kalahari MTB adventure.

Trail Listings

Trail Name	Distance	Difficulty
Orange River Waterfront Loop	15km	Easy (riverside gravel path and urban roads from town centre to Kalahari-Oranje wine estate and back — shaded riverine vegetation — flat)

Permits & Costs

Cost: Free — public paths and roads.
Where to buy: Year-round during daylight. Avoid December-January midday heat.

Amenities & Facilities

April to September. Early morning in October-November. Avoid December-February — regularly 44C+.

Contact & Getting There

Address: Upington, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape (start at Orange River waterfront, Upington)
GPS: -28.4478, 21.2561
Phone: +27 54 332 6064 (Upington Tourism)
Email: info@upington.co.za
Website: https://www.upington.com

Best Time to Ride: Upington (base city) | Augrabies Falls (120km west) | Cape Town (860km via N12)

🌐 Visit Official Trail Website →