Mankele Mountain Biking is situated in the heart of Mpumalanga with beautiful surroundings of tropical forests, open grass lands, rivers, dams, ravines, mountains and breath taking views. Mankele is fast becoming South Africa’s favourite place to mountain bike. Mankele Mountain Biking was established in 2007. Our main aim is to have a safe outdoor environment with a variety of activities and accommodation options for the whole family to enjoy. Mankele’s world class mountain biking trails has become the training playground for SA’s top riders. With a number of top events held at Mankele, the trails are always kept in race condition. All mountain biking trails are marked using a colour coded system, with points of interest along the way and warning signs for any technical or heart in your throat obtacles, many of these have an atrenative detour routes around them.
Adventure zone:
2,4km flat track with small humps, berms and bumps for the kiddies and beginners to work on their technical skills. Or for the more advanced just to have a bit of fun. This also forms part of the school series xc track. Safe short and flattish, a perfect warm up before venturing onto the other trails.
Blue Route:
4.5km Easy – Beginner. Fast flowing single track, bridges and jeep track. This route was designed for beginners to practice there technical skills. Duration 30 minutes.
Pink Route:
4.5km, 120m Ascent, Moderate. This is a shorter version of the X-Country route. Test yourself on the single track, boardwalks, river crossings and technical climb. Duration 30 – 45 minutes.
Orange Route (X-Country):
8.8km, 160m Ascent, Technical. Used for Nationals Cross Country. Boardwalks, bush tunnels, bridges and some hairy descents are on the menu once you have climbed the unforgiving Sting. Duration 25 – 50 minutes.
Green Route:
20km, 480m Ascent, Moderate. Don’t let the distance fool you; this is 20km of single track, bush tunnels, bridges, boardwalks and lung bursting climbs. It’s a good work out while having the best time ever on two wheels. Duration 2 – 3 hours.
Red Route:
30km, 728 Ascent, Intermediate. This route is an extension of the Green Route. A bit more climbing with awesome views. This is a good long ride with a bit of everything in it. You have a choice of a technical (bush tunnel) or a fun twisty single track back. Escape point is at the green route turn off. Duration 5 hours.
Purple Route:
55km, 1200m Ascent, Difficult. The first 15km is a non stop battle with granny gear. The view and single track is well worth the climb. Two escape routes have been marked out. Take lots of water, food and a cell phone. Duration 5 – 8 hours.
Down Hill:
1.8km, Madness. It’s a double black. Caution – adrenaline is addictive. This is not for your average hard tail or got the gear but no idea type rider. Switch backs, drop offs and rock gardens will try rip you off your bike.
Black Dot Route:
Most routes have a black dot section, a short detour for some additional interest to your chosen route – Very Technical. If you take the black dot route then don’t look back or complain if you loose your teeth. They are fun, but very technical and have all past the bone breaking test.
Mankele Facilities Include:
- Coffee shop & tuck shop
- Entertainment area with big screen TV with DSTV, pool table, darts, soccer table, braai areas, swimming pool & toilets.
- 2 x swimming pools
- Mountain Bike Hire
- Shaded areas for picnics, braais, parking, camping and also for just getting out of the sun and cooling off
Accommodation
Log Cabins
Each self catering log cabin is fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, cooking utensils, fridge, stove, microwave, kettle, toaster etc. The log cabins consist of 3 bedrooms which can sleep up to 8 people and also have 1 ½ bathrooms.
Camping
Campers have the choice of parking on the lush green lawn section or they can rough it in our designated secluded bushveld camp sites. All camp sites have braai areas and water nearby with limited (3 prong plug) electrical points. Hot water ablutions and swimming pool has been placed in the middle to make it easily accessible.
Contact Details for Mankele Mountain Biking:
Website:
www.mankele.co.za
Reservations:
Christelle
Email:
ride@mankele.co.za
Email:
geoffrey@mankele.co.za
Email:
mark@mankele.co.za
Cell:
078 801 0453
Fax:
086 681 0753
Physical
R539 – Off the N4 to:
Sudwala caves and
Sabie off ramp
GPS Co-ordinates:
30º42′ 45.66″ E
25º23′ 18.08″ S
