OVERVIEW

Holla Trails has over 340km of routes in total, made up of an exhilarating mix of district roads, a fair bit of jeep track and seemingly endless stretches of single-track. The routes range from a short and very easy rookie rider route, right through to the tough and testing types which will break all but the most hardcore of mountain bikers. The single-track has been (mostly) purpose-built to contour through the river valleys, and meanders through superb scenery.

On your bike

The 20km Green Route is flat and easy, so head here if you’re new to the biking game; there are however a few short sections of sand to spice things up, but the lack of hills makes up for this. The sprinklings of single-track are perfect for the beginners and kiddies alike. Difficulty: 1/5.

The Silver route affords an intermediate 14 kilometre option one level up from the Green route. Here, you will find more challenging single track, some switchbacks and short, steep climbs. Difficulty: 2/5.

Another intermediate route, this time 18km and one grading up from Silver: it’s the Blue Route. You will find even slightly more challenging single track, some more switchbacks and short, steeper climbs. Difficulty: 3/5.

Reaching now into the more distance trails, we have the Purple Route. Clocking in at 29km, you will naturally find longer climbs abound, but there is always a reward of flowing single-track to look forward to on the other side of the hill. This is the furthest “intermediate” level route you will find at Holla Trails. Difficulty: 3/5.

The Pink Route is but one kilometre further – 30km to be exact – but is the most technical trail on offer. It serves a delicious mixture of short, sharp climbs and enough single-track challenges to really get your adrenaline and appetite up. Difficulty: 5/5,

Currently, the Red Route is only partially open: the first half is crank-able – with two portage sections – but the second single track is, unfortunately, closed. You can use the route as an alternative to go up on Pink. Here’s how you do it: follow the Red Route until the end of Ant’s Burning Bush single-track. Now, hop onto the Pink Route. It’s that simple. But take heed, this is an advanced trail. Difficulty: 5/5.

The 50 kilometres of advanced Yellow Route are temporarily closed. When they are open, however, there is lots of variation: think challenging climbs, single track and exceptional views that make it all worth it in the end. Difficulty: 4/5.

Yellow’s big sister: Gold. 60km makes it a little bit longer, but a lot a bit harder than it’s shorter sibling. There is an extremely long, steep climb all the way up until the proverbial “Mast”, but the subsequent downhill singletracks and views make up for the unavoidable pain. Difficulty: 4/5.

Finally, if single-track doesn’t float your boat – never fear! There are two gravel options – creatively titled ‘Long Gravel’ and ‘Short Gravel’. Short Gravel clocks in at 30 km and a 440 m ascent: as good a workout as any. Long Gravel, however, almost doubles the distance and triples the ascent! A proper challenge even for the most seasoned veterans. Both Gravel routes are not officially marked and will require the services of a GPS.

Off the bike

Dedicated trails for runners are also available here.

GPS: 29° 29.516’ South / 31° 10.914’East

Holla Trails on Trailforks.com