Sani Pass Classic MTB Route (Closest City/Town: Himeville)
DISTANCE » 72 to 80km return route
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GRADING »
EASY MODERATE DIFFICULT EXTREME
[ OVERVIEW ]
On your bike
This is a great area for mountain-biking, offering exquisite scenery and challenging rides, either up the Sani Pass into Lesotho or along surrounding district roads. But, go out on your ride carrying warm clothing, since the weather can change from sunny to freezing in minutes around here. This is the course for the Sani Pass MTB Classic.
If you are starting from Sani Lodge, expect a 16km of climbing before you even get to the first border post. This is not too bad, as every so often you’ll have a breather in the form of a short downhill. Then comes the exceptionally steep 8 km section up to the Lesotho border. The last 2 km are the steepest of the entire ride but you can see the pub on top of the mountain so you go for it. Here some riders cannot be blamed for refusing to go any further as they park off at the pub enjoying the view and an ice cold beer – not that it is warm at the top.
If conquering Sani Pass is not quite enough punishment for you, then there’s a windy 10 km ride on the plateau. The air is thin, but further on there is another 5 km pass, taking you up the Black Mountain Pass. This ascent is not nearly as steep as Sani itself, but at this height there is just not enough air. Expect your heart rate to skyrocket. It takes an average rider about 5 hours to get up and less than an hour to come back down. To get an idea of the challenge you face, the change in altitude is 1,674 m above sea level at the start with the highest point in the Black Mountains at more than 3,200 m above sea level.
Off your bike
A myriad activities are available at or through Sani Lodge. These include hiking, guided walks to San rock art sites, 4x4 tours up into Lesotho and horse-riding by arrangement. For some down time, there’s aroma-therapy massage, a tea garden and craft shop and a children’s playground.
CONTACT
Route information: Simone and Russell Suchet, Sani Lodge Backpackers
Address: PO Box l485, Underberg, 3257, KZN
Telephone: (033) 702 0330 or 083 566 1997
Fax: 086 514 7915
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.sanilodge.co.za and www.drakensbergadventures.co.za
[ FAST FACTS ]
GRADING: Moderate
DURATION: 6 hours
CONFIGURATION : 72 to 80km return route
START POINT: Sani Lodge
TERRAIN:
MAP:
MORE INFORMATION:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Public access, but you are crossing an international border between South Africa and Lesotho, so passports are an absolute necessity
FACILITIES: Sani Lodge offers camping, dorms, doubles/twins, heated en suite thatch rondavels, a self-catering cottage, and group facilities.
BEWARE OF:
