Howick Raw and Unplugged MTB Route (Closest City/Town: Howick)
DISTANCE » 40km
0 - 5 RATING »
(Riding Enjoyment)
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GRADING »
EASY MODERATE DIFFICULT EXTREME
[ OVERVIEW ]
Single track delight - some big climbs , awesome views over Midmar Dam, the foothills of the Drakensberg. Flowing single track routes with some technical challenges such as rock gardens, drop offs and biking bridges.
Leave the Howick Private Hospital head north along the tar road (towards the N3), turn right into Lakeview road. At the top of Lake View Rd. you will enter Beacon Hill (grassland reserve). Head up and to the right on "Beacon Hill" and you will find "Eagle Ridge Run" which leads up and over the Curry's Post tar road and onto "Home Jerome". From here you climb some fantastic single track which runs parallel to the tar road. Enter "Wattles" via the "Wattles Bridge", exit via "Meril's Peril". Turn left in "RedFace Hill" and then left onto "Mind-the-Gap" and head all the way up "Dhulha Ngulubhe".
At the top, turn right into "Gums" which brings you out onto a forestry road. Bear right and follow this road to a confluence of roads and past "Rooty Fruity" to "Lurker Lame ". Cross the timber road into "Fast Track" down to "Rock 'n Roll" into "River Run and up "ZigZag". Cross the forestry road into "2Zig", after a few hundred metres turn left up to "Howie's Hut" carry on upwards to "Dr. Keytels" and out up "Bradleys".
Turn right onto a contour road and then right into single track which leads to "Duiker Dip" and the "Lower Face". Cross the timber road into "Mike's Lights" onto "Grassy Road", then into "Nyagga Nyagga" and across another timber road. Follow the trail marked "New Track" and down to the next main road turn left, staying on the contour road. At the next road turn left then after 200m turn right and follow this road for about 3km before turning sharp left. After a short 50 metre climb turn right and follow this road up to "no 6". At "no 6" climb up "Christopher's" for 2km climbing to "Back-of-beyond".
Turn left at this point, contour along until the next "main" forestry road, cross over and climb "Up-at-last".
Head up the road to the fire tower, where you can enjoy the views before entering "Pines". Follow this trail down and into "Joe's DidDibDob". Cross the forest road,into "Redface Hill" and retrace your route back through "Wattles" come out at "Wattles Bridge". Head for home by crossing Curry's Post tar road, through the loading zone, along the forestry road and then turn left into "Stick-a-leg" down "Dump Road" through "Beacon Hill Dash" back into Lakeview Road.
[ FAST FACTS ]
GRADING: 4/5 (Tough, rough mountain biking – not for novices)
DURATION: Allow 4 hours
CONFIGURATION : Out-and-back – route loops with options to return home early – and miss the fun!
START POINT: Howick Private Hospital
TERRAIN: Mountainous: forest roads, jeep track, lots of single track
MAP:
MORE INFORMATION:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Sappi access indemnity - donation to Howick Mountain Bike Club appreciated. These forms can also be downloaded off the following HMBC website page - http://www.howickmountainbiking.co.za/Sappi-indemnity.htm
FACILITIES:
BEWARE OF: Cycling without permit indemnities and of raw un-manicured tracks!
