Mountain Sanctuary Park MTB Trails

About Mountain Sanctuary Park MTB Trails

Where: deep in the Magaliesberg Mountains, about 1 ½ hours from Johannesburg.
Level: difficult
Type of route: the bike trail at Mountain Sanctuary forms part of the Magalies Monster race; children can manage parts of it
Distance: 12 km
Best: any time of year

Mountain Sanctuary Park used to be one of the best kept secrets of Gauteng. Few knew about the reserve and, as a consequence, most weekends were magically peaceful.

The reserve, by all accounts, has worked hard to maintain this peace and quiet (enforced quiet after 9pm at night), and it is the one place, close to Johannesburg, where one can easily reconnect with nature, and where the numbers of people in the park are limited daily.

For years it was predominantly a hiking domain - you could head off into the surrounding koppies and not return for a good eight hours (there is a map at reception, so you won't get lost).

Now the privately owned reserve has a mountain bike route. And whilst it is not long, it is difficult and when combined with the gravel roads outside the park, easily gives hours of MTB pleasure. Besides, the access to mountain pools on hot summer days, and the park's incredible beauty, make it worth doing.

The reserve has day braai sites near the swimming pool, a beautiful campsite, a chapel, a restaurant (although it isn't clear if this is yet open) and log cabins.

If you want to visit the park for the day, remember to book ahead as daily quotas are limited to 180 people (including campers). There is an entry fee into the park. Bring a picnic if it makes things easier.