Closest Town: Port St Johns
Grading: Easy to intermediate | Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Location (Area/Province): Eastern Cape and Wild Coast
Configuration: Two route options to choose from. 33km and 42km ride, very scenic.
Start Point: Mbotyi River Lodge
Access: Mountain bikes available for hire or bring your own.
Beware of:
Facilities: Mbotyi River Lodge have an extensive range of facilities, swimming pool, canoes, bar, showers etc...
Cell Reception: Intermittent
OVERVIEW
The name of this little village in the heart of Pondoland means “the place of beans”. Its fertile soils support the rolling green fields of the huge Magwa tea plantation – one of the largest tea plantations in South Africa and the world.
There are a variety of mapped trails in the Mbotyi vicinity for both the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge and the leisure cyclist looking for a gentle meander around the area. These trails take you through the forest, up on to the grassland escarpment as well as through the magnificent tea plantation.
On your bike
The first route is a lovely scenic route up to Magwa Falls. You could pack a snack and ride out to these magnificent falls and just sit and absorb the amazingness of this natural wonder. This route is 42km long, out and back, and follows gravel roads all the way. The views are something to be experienced.
Then there as a nice loop taking you up the same hill out of Mbotyi and then past Angel Falls. Then the gravel turns South for an awesome downhill, and then meanders through a small rural village, where after you reach the top with FM Tower. From here you crash down a hill along fishermen-paths to the beach. You will cross a small lagoon and then find your way back to the Mbotyi Hotel.
Off the bike
A lot of other activities to be done: Birding, hiking, caneoing, fishing, horse trails and much more.
CONTACT:
Route Information: Mbotyi River Lodge
Tel: +27 (0)82 674 1064
Website: mbotyi.co.za
GPS: 31 27 53.8 South / 29 43 52.9 East
