Closest Town: Ficksburg
Grading: Intermediate to Difficult
Duration: 1 Hour
Location (Area/Province): Central Free State and Free State
Configuration: 7.5km circular
Start Point: At Meulspruit Dam
Access: Day visitors welcome. Gate fee payable.
Beware of:
Facilities: Ablutions. Basic camping and caravanning facilities. Thatched boma.
Cell Reception: Yes
Ficksburg nestles between the foot of the Imperani Mountain and the banks of the Caledon River. Magnificent views of the majestic Maluti range form a backdrop that changes with the seasons as you ride along these trails around the Meulspruit Dam.
On your bike
A gentle grassed slope leads down to the dam. However, away from the dam, that same slope steepens considerably as it becomes the mountain backdrop to a brilliant, custom-built 7.5km singletrack loop through the hills. This was the course for the MTB Nationals in 1999 and 2000, so expect an exhilarating ride mix. Bang up and over rocks and tackle drop-offs with some switchbacks thrown in for good measure. This track is excellent practice for anyone wanting to improve on their cross-country skills. There is also a dual course where you can get some big air and rail those berms. The route is marked with a footprint sprayed on tin plates – either mounted on posts or sprayed on rocks.
Off the bike
Take a break from the bike and take the White Mischief cigar bar boat cruise on the dam. Excellent catering complements the sundowners. There’s fishing, canoeing and 4x4ing at Meulspruit Dam. For pursuits a little more laid-back, take the Sandstone Way historical tour of all the sandstone buildings in nearby Ficksburg or visit the Pelissier Art gallery with its Perneef art collection. For an unforgettable experience, take a light aircraft flight over the Katse Dam in neighbouring Lesotho, one of the largest engineering construction projects in the world. Diarise the annual Cherry Festival in November.
GPS: 28°52.77′ South / 7°50.15′ East
