KZN

Road cycling

Our selection of tar routes is safe and not too busy out of season. All the below routes start and end in Hilton and will take you through the famous Midlands Meander. There is an incredible amount of coffee shops to choose from, with some of the best coffee in SA and we strongly recommend you include a coffee stop if you go on one of these rides.

Chairman’s Challenge Loop

40 km

Karkloof & back

51 km

Notties

100 km

Chairman’s Challenge Loop

40 km

The famous Chairman’s challenge ride – starting in Hilton, going around Howick and coming back past Midmar Dam.

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Karkloof & back

51 km

A classic – Some climbs on this route, with stunning views and quiet roads

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Notties

100 km

The most famous road ride in the area, a 100km road ride from Hilton – Notthingham road and back

An intermediate route with a fair amount of climbing.

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KZN

Mountain Biking

We are spoiled for choice with our mountain bike routes around Hilton!

In the Cedara and Grace College forests there are many stunning trails build and maintained by the local clubs and riders.

Our routes will take you on some of our favorite trails and forest roads around, with beautiful views of the kzn midlands as a reward. These routes are ideal for mountain bikes, but if you are adventurous, you could take your gravel bike for some fun on the trails.

Grace College Trail Ride

20 km

Cedara Trail and Forest Road Ride

26 km

Grace College Trail Ride

20 km

A quick 20km ride on the Grace College trails around Hilton, mostly trails with tar road at the start and end.

Difficulty: 2,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Cedara Trail and Forest Road Ride

26 km

A 26km ride on trails and forest roads around the Cedara forest in Hilton.

Difficulty: 2,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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KZN

Unbound Cycling

KZN offers some of the best gravel riding in the country and these are some of our favorite routes. All these include a mix of gravel and tar, with the odd jeep track and easy singletrack here and there.

All these routes will take you through beautiful areas with stunning views and are suitable for gravel and mountain bikes!

Thurlow Loop

60 km

Mandela Capture Site Loop

62 km

Petrus Stroom Loop

64 km

Thurlow Loop

60 km

Intermediate 60km gravel and tar route from Hilton, towards and around Midmar dam and back.

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Mandela Capture Site Loop

62 km

A ride with a mix of gravel and tar, starting in Hilton, out towards Karkloof and back to Hilton past the Mandela capture site.

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Petrus Stroom Loop

64 km

An unbound ride starting and ending in Hilton.

Going out on the R103 tar road and then turning onto the stunning Petrus stroom gravel road towards the Dargle and back to Hilton on the R103.

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Bonnievale

Road cycling

Bonnievale is surrounded by amazing, low traffic, high quality tar roads making riding a road bike a very enjoyable experience. If you then throw in the beauty of the river, mountains, vineyards, etc. you are in for an unforgettable experience.

Routes listed are those we like to ride. You can link all the routes together to giving you a ride of more than 100kms.

Routes start and end at Coffee and Company in Bonnievale.

All the roads are public roads. (Please obey all the traffic rules.)

Emergencies: 023 616 8000 / SAPS: 023 616 8060

The Drew Loop

32 km

The RedBridge Loop

35 km

The Ashton Loop

44 km

Jan Harmsgat Loop

45 km

The Klaasvoogds Loop

57 km

The RedBridge/Drew Circle

61 km

The Drew Loop

32km with 407m of climbing.

This is a very popular loop with stunning views over the river. It is also a very quite road and the best time to do this is early morning. To make it a bit more challenging do this loop anti-clockwise.

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The RedBridge Loop

35km with 291m of climbing.

The RedBridge loop is the easiest of all the road loop around Bonnievale. The roads are in great condition and there is nearly not a time that you will not find someone riding their bike on the loop.

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The Ashton Loop

44km with 305m of climbing.

If you want to go further than 35km, but dont want to climb to much, this is the ride for you. Most of the little climbing there is you will find on the way to the R60. Once you get this intersection (10km from the start) things point mostly downhill.

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Jan Harmsgat Loop

45 km with 589m of climbing.

The Jan Harmsgat Loop takes you out towards Drew, then left to the R60 which is the main link between the R62 and the N2 before heading left again and after climbing a couple of long drags past Spanspek se Plek you turn left again for a mostly downhill run back to Bonnievale.

The R60 is a pretty busy road but has a wide shoulder that makes riding on this road reasonably safe. You will also be passing 2 very good coffee/farm shops, i.e. BonFruti and Spanspek se Plek should you wanted a coffee along the way.

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The Klaasvoogds Loop

57 km with 405m of climbing.

This is a stunning loop. Once you are in the Klaasvoogds itself you will be amazed at the beauty and tranquility. And off course the road there and back is still some of the prettiest tar road you will find anywhere in South Africa.

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The RedBridge/Drew Circle

61 km with 640m of climbing.

Bonnievale offers many combinations of road routes. This one combines the RedBridge with the Drew Loops and will give you a proper workout of between 2 and 3 hours. As always, the scenery is stunning and the roads are in good condition with low traffic volumes.

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Bonnievale

Unbound Cycling

Bonnievale Unbound Cycling is all about riding without being restricted to one specific format. Our Unbound Routes will take you through areas where the miracle of God’s creation is clear to see. Unbound Routes are Ideal for a gravel bike, mountain bike … and if you are very adventurous, even a road bike.

All the Bonnievale Unbound routes consist of a combination of tar and gravel and every now and again a short section of easy trails. All our routes start and end at Coffee and Company in Bonnievale.

For questions or support contact Johann Wykerd on 082 857 3735 or pop in at Coffee and Company in Bonnievale.

45km

30km-tar / 15km-gravel

50km

38km-tar / 12km-gravel

63km

33km-tar / 30km-gravel

75km

50km-tar / 25km-gravel

McGregor 80km

43km-tar / 37km-gravel

Swellendam 80km

38km-tar / 42km-gravel

110km

48km-tar / 62km-gravel

45 km

30km-tar / 15km-gravel

This route takes you out of Bonnievale on the way to Swellendam, over the Breede River where the tar stops and the gravel starts. This section of gravel is very quiet and mostly in good condition. After about 30km you will get back to the tar and will cruise mostly downhill back to town.

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50 km

38km-tar / 12km-gravel

This route takes you out of town toward Robertson and is one of the easiest of our Unbound Routes. About 15km into the ride you will turn left over the single lane “red bridge” and you will continue on the tar until you turn right towards McGregor.

Just as the tar stops you will turn left and unto a beautiful section of gravel that will take you past Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary, a rehabilitation centre for horses and other farm animals.

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63 km

33km-tar / 30km-gravel

This route takes you out of town towards Robertson. About 15km into the ride you will turn left over the single lane “red bridge” and you will continue on the tar until you turn right at the 1st McGregor/Steenboksvlakte turn and the gravel starts. 45km into the ride the gravel will fade into tar and then you know you are on your way home.

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75 km

50km-tar / 25km-gravel

This route takes you out of town toward Robertson. About 15km into the ride you will turn left over the single lane “red bridge” and you will continue on the tar until you turn right towards McGregor. Just as the tar stops you will turn left and unto a beautiful section of gravel that will take you past Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary, a rehabilitation centre for horses and other farm animals.

From here you will continue towards Stormsvlei. Where the gravel ends you will turn left down a fun fast downhill. 4km down the hill you will turn right (Klipfontein Road) onto an undulating gravel road (always turn left on T-junctions on this gravel section).

When the gravel stops you know you are about 15km from town. This is a reasonably strenuous ride, so be prepared.

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McGregor 80 km

43km-tar / 37km-gravel

This route takes you to McGregor and back in the form of a loop so that you don’t have to ride the same route there and back. You will head towards Robertson, turn left over the single-lane red bridge and a short while later you will turn right onto the gravel and McGregor.

At the next T-junction you will go up a beautiful pass into the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. Stop at Eseltjierus Donkey Sanctuary and support them in their cause. It’s worthwhile popping in here.

From there you will continue into McGregor where you can grab something to eat and/or drink before heading back to Bonnievale.

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Swellendam 80 km

38km-tar / 42km-gravel

You will leave Bonnievale towards Swellendam in direction Drew. When you get to the Tar T-junction you will continue straight onto the Bruintjiesrivier road all the way to Swellendam.

This is an out and back route and if overs amazing scenery. Mid winter all the Granola fields will display their yellow splendour. You will be climbing just over 1000m to Swellendam and back. Beware, the rolling hills will hurt the unprepared rider.

Swellendam offers a range of eateries to recharge before heading back. If you time this ride well in the summer, you will be riding back to Bonnievale with a nice stiff South Easter from behind.

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110 km

48km-tar / 62km-gravel

This is a big ride and you will basically do all the sections in any of the shorter “unbound” rides. You will climb around 1275m and will go up a beautiful pass into the Vrolijkheid Nuture Reserve.

This loop also takes you past the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary where you can adopt a donkey. You will turn at McGregor where you will have a choice of coffee shops and beer to quench your thirst before heading back to Bonnievale.

Before you get back onto the tar you will turn right and ride past the Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary towards Stormsvlei. When you get to the tar it’s a left down a 4km tar downhill before turning right onto the gravel towards Klipfontein.

Turn left at every T-junction and when you get back to the tar you know you have about 15km to town.

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Bonnievale

Mountain Biking

DRECASO GUEST FARM AND SELF-CATERING CHALETS:

Drecaso is on the Boesmansrivier Road, 15km outside of Bonnievale central and offer 3 mountain bike routes for the avid mountain biker to enjoy.

This is private property, but the owners have given us the right to use the trails. You just have to give them a call (Dave on +27 81 797 6273) and they will send you the access code for the gate. Please note that there is no reception at the gate, and you would need to make the necessary arrangements before traveling towards Drecaso.

All the routes are man-made and reasonably well signed and you should not get lost. The trailhead for all the routes is close to the chalets and you will see it on your left as you travel up the dirt road towards the chalets.

Drecaso is very safe, and you will not find any people on the trails. There is however a possibility of crossing paths with a snake mid-summer if you find yourself on the trails after 10am.

Blue Route

7 km Lap

Green Route

9 km Lap

Black Route

21 km Lap

Blue Route

7 km Lap

The Blue Route is around 7km long with 149m of ascend and can be ridden on its own, or as an extension of the green route. The single track on the 1st half of the Blue Route is slightly more challenging than on the Green Route and it gets much easier towards the end.

Difficulty: 3/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Green Route

9 km Lap

The Green route is just over 9km long with 162m of climbing. This is a good single-track loop that will be enjoyed by intermediate to advanced mountain bikers.

Difficulty: 2,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Black Route

21 km Lap

The Black Route starts and ends as the Green Route. After a couple of kilometres on the Green Route you will find a Black Arrow pointing right and this is where the Black Route extension start.

The Black route cannot be ridden on its own and is basically and extended Green Route. It is just short of 21km with 500m of climbing. This is a PROPER mountain biking challenge with some very steep rocky climbs and descents. The views from the high points on this route is breath-taking and make all the hard work worthwhile. This route is not used that often and some of the track might be slightly overgrown from time to time. This 21km route will take the strongest of us at least 90min of hard riding.

Difficulty: 4/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads)

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(For those of you who have an abundant of energy can ride the Black Route and then finish off with the Blue Route. This will give you 28km of singletrack with 650m of climbing. A proper challenge.)

Bonnievale

Mountain Biking

POFADDER CROSS COUNTRY TRAILS:

The Trails is on the R317 about 9km from the centre of Bonnievale. Pofadder is a wonderful playground for the more serious mountain bikers with stunning scenery and some challenging, proper mountain biking trails. You will leave here knowing that you would like to come back.

This is private property, but the owners have given us the right to use the trails.

All the routes are man-made and reasonably well signed and you should not get lost. The trailhead for all the routes is from the parking lot you will see once you have turned onto the gravel from the R317 and have travelled up the hill a short distance.

Pofadder is very safe, and you will find very few people on the trails. There is however a possibility of crossing paths with a snake mid-summer if you find yourself on the trails after 10am.

Pofadder is 90% singletrack and the trails will challenge novice mountain bikers. The various route options don’t have names and are identified through their distance. Please do not fool yourself, the 12km route at Pofadder is a hard ride and not many people will complete this loop under 50min. If you feel brave, do “THE Pofadder” and finish it off with the Elite XCO route.

For maximum enjoyment, park your car at Coffee & Company in Bonnievale and ride from there, do a loop or two and cycle back … this will give you a good 2hours + with some of the best single track in the Langeberg area.

Master Cross Country loop

8 km Lap

Elite Cross Country loop

4 km Lap

The Introduction to Pofadder

6 km Lap

Baby Pofadder

8 km Lap

The Longer Introduction

9 km Lap

THE Pofadder

12 km Lap

Master Cross Country loop

8 km Lap

This loop combines some of the Elite Cross Country race route with the main Pofadder Trail.

8,2 km with 265m climbing will test you. There are a couple of “bull” and “chicken” options on this route. Please ride within your abilities.

Difficulty: 4/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Elite Cross Country loop

4 km Lap

This is the route of the 2025 WP Cross Country Championship. It is a 100% proper MTB XCO route and will challenge even the most experienced rider.

4,4 km with 150m climbing will push you to your limits. There are a number very technical features on this route and all of them will offer you “bull/A-lines” and “chicken/B-lines” options. One of the technical features even has a C-line. Please ride within your abilities.

Difficulty: 5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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The Introduction to Pofadder

6 km Lap

This is the easiest of the Pofadder loops. But be warned … Pofadder’s definition of “easy” is very different to anywhere else.

5,5 km with 166m climbing will test you. There is a “bull” and “chicken” option about 600m after the start. Please ride within your abilities.

Difficulty: 3,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Baby Pofadder

8 km Lap

This is a shorter version of the real Pofadder loop.

8,1 km with 238m climbing will test you. There are a number of “bull” and “chicken” options on the route and some of them will surprise and excite you. Heartbreak Hill will really test your metal. Please ride within your abilities.

Difficulty: 4,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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The Longer Introduction

9 km Lap

This is the easiest of the longer Pofadder loops. But be warned … Pofadder’s definition of “easy” is very different to anywhere else.

8,5 km with 244m climbing will test you. There is a “bull” and “chicken” option about 600m after the start. Please ride within your abilities. One or two of the climbs will make your lungs scream. But the satisfaction of riding Pofadder without putting your foot down makes the suffering worth it.

Difficulty: 3,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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THE Pofadder

12 km Lap

This is the “real” Pofadder loop.

11,5 km with 315m climbing will really test you. There are a number of “bull” and “chicken” options on the route and some of them will surprise and excite you. Heartbreak Hill will really test your metal. Please ride within your abilities.

Difficulty: 4,5/5
(where 5 is very difficult singletrack with jumps, drops, etc. and 1 mostly open roads).

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Routes & Events

Road, gravel and MTB routes that everyone can enjoy!

Knowing where to ride when you visit an area is not always clear. There are often routes that only the locals know.
Absolute Motion has “family” all over South Africa and together with them we share our favourite cycling routes with you.
Absolute Motion also organise a couple of events during the year. See events to find out more…

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Absolute Motion Routes

Sharing our favorite routes with you…

Our routes are all open-to-ride. At some of the locations you will need a permit.

Our routes are categorised into 3 categories:

Road – All tar.
Mountain Biking – Combination of open gravel, forestry roads and single track.
Unbound – Combination of tar and gravel.

KZN

The KZN Midlands is a cycling paradise. With endless gravel roads, some of the best trail networks in the country and road routes through the famous Midlands Meander, there is something for everyone.

We have a selection of some of our favorite routes for you to choose from.

Road

Mountain Biking

Unbound

Bonnievale

Bonnievale is a small “plaasdorpie” in the Langeberg municipality in the Western Cape. Roughly 2 hours from Cape Town.

Bonnievale have a small cycling community, but you will be blown away by the quality of riding one can enjoy here. Bonnievale offer the cycling enthusiast proper mountain biking with excellent single track, amazing road riding and some of the best gravel (we call in unbound) riding in South Africa.

All the rides we have mapped start and end at our coffee shop, Coffee and Company in Main Road Bonnievale.
For enquiries contact Johann on 082 857 3735 or email to life@absolutemotion.co.za.

Road

Mountain Biking

Unbound

Absolute Motion Events

Next and Upcoming Events.

Absolute Mountain Biking the KZN Midlands

24 - 28/09/2025 | MTB

Inviting mountain bikers and their families to an adventurous weekend. Expect long rides aswell as scenic trails, while non-riders can enjoy other local activities. Find more details on the Event PDF.

Venue: Hebron Haven Hotel - D128 Dargle, Midlands KZN
Event PDF: Download

Read about our previous Events and Camps:

Camps, Coaching, Events 3 Feb 2025 Frances Swanepoel