The town of Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga possesses only two tarred streets, the rest being dirt roads, making it a great place for some off-road mountain biking! There are plenty of routes in the area and anyone with an average level of fitness will be able to tackle most of them.
Wakkerstroom town is dominated by Ossewakop mountain, which makes for a fantastic and challenging mountain bike route. It’s a steep road up to the top and a very rewarding, slow wind back to the bottom with great views over the peaceful little settlement of Wakkerstroom.
The Wakkerstroom Wetland ride is a 12km circuit that is ideal for day-visitors. The local habitat in Wakkerstroom makes it one of the most renowned bird-watching destinations in South Africa, with more than 302 species having been recorded in the area. This ride is ideal for those with a bit of time on their hands to spot and appreciate the fascinating array of birdlife, and a casual ride through the wetland is a great way to do this!
The Zaaihoek Dam circuit is a 57km trail for those adventurous cyclists looking for an epic in the area. It follows some challenging terrain around the dam and offers incredible views of the surrounding country side and the Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal escarpment.
Wakkerstroom is an ideal rest-stop on a trip from Gauteng down to Kwa-Zulu Natal, and if a day’s mountain biking sounds like a great thing to add to your agenda, then you shouldn’t miss out! Wakkerstroom info.
Getting there: from Gauteng, take the N17 going East into Mpumalanga. Follow the road to Ermelo. At Ermelo, take the N11 going South to Volksrust. At Volksrust take the R543 to Wakkerstroom.
| More info on the town of Wakkerstroom | More info on the Highlands Meander area |
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