Closest Town: Muldersdrift
Grading: Easy to Intermediate
Duration: Various return/circular options
Location (Area/Province): Central Gauteng and Gauteng
Configuration: Various options from 5km to 35km
Start Point: Northern Farm Coffee Shop
Access: The farm is only open on weekends and public holidays.
Beware of: Cycling alone as the area is not securely fenced off.
Facilities: Local bicycle clubs are involved in upgrading existing facilities, Rudimentary ablutions. Farm stall.
Cell Reception: Yes
OVERVIEW
Northern Farm rates as one of Jozi’s better-known MTB destinations, with a wide range of routes and variation in terrain, thus making it suited to just about all levels of riders. Note right now that it will only be open on weekends and public holidays. There are a number of route configurations, with the four main options as follows (the sign boards indicate these clearly as 1, 2, 3 or 4).
On your bike
Route 1 – Green Route (12km): If you are relatively new to mountain biking (or just not that fit), Route 1 is the perfect option for the whole family. It follows a good gravel road that pretty much bisects the farm; even with a few sandy stretches, it is 99% rideable, even for beginners.
Route 2 – Blue Route (22km): Routes 2 will keep you on your bike for longer and incorporates much of the superb single-track through Blue Gum Forest and along the Mamba Trails section. It is fast-flowing and can only be ridden in one direction, so please follow the signage.
Route 3 – Red Route (34km): Route 3 overlaps in places with some of the Route single-track, but with some added route sections to take you all the way to the bottom of the farm. Note that the riding here is certainly more technical, especially the rocky sections along the river.
Route 4, Black Route (52km): This is an intermediate route with some technical bits thrown in, nice mix of single track with obstacles, some major.
Overall, the hard-pack roads and paths – all with relatively gentle gradients and a range of ride configurations – makes for an excellent intro to the sport of mountain biking. A bonus is that all the many dams and irrigation channels close to the Jukskei River means that you may be lucky enough to hear (or even see!) the rare African Fish Eagle.
As Northern Farm is a working concern, you need to keep an eye out for farm traffic while cycling. There are also some superb panoramas across the Kareebosrand Conservancy, with the Magaliesberg ranges visible on the far horizon.
The cherry on top of your ride is a lekker coffee or drink at our shop; while you chill, we’ll wash your bike! The bike wash is run by the Diepsloot Development project and all bike wash proceeds go towards the project.
Off the bike
Horse riding can be arranged via SA Trails. Northern Farm is a birding paradise and there is great birdwatching from a hide. There are also hiking/walking opportunities and dogsledding. Picnicking at various dams is allowed, but no swimming is permitted.
MORE INFO:
GPS: 25°56′027″ South / 27°50′’067″ East
GPS Tracks – http://www.northernfarm.co.za/index.php/mountain-biking/garmin-routes
MAP LINK – http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Northern-Farms-Training-Loop63930
Northern Farm (Diepsloot Nature Reserve) on Trailforks.com
