Rockwood Angel MTB 40km

Distance: 40 km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 900m

Ideal for MTB. Slow trail run or walk are possible for steady and fit individuals, as there are steep sections.

Rockwood's signature track is designed and built by Karkloof local, Hylton Turvey. The 40km MTB track starts with a 25km farm road ascent of 900m to the top of Lebanon and Rockwood escarpment. It’s tough on an MTB and fun on an eBike. It is so worth it for the descent. Flow down 9km (900m descent) of exhilarating single-track alternating between forests and grasslands, with a long stretch down an ancient log trail before a final 6km stretch on some gravel roads, but mostly single track, alongside gentle streams and over wooden bridges.

In the incredible video below, Jason Boulle follows Luke Dinkel down 7km of the Rockwood’s Angel trail. In Jason's words, "This is undoubtedly one of the best descents in the country. Endless corners and rollers, in and out of the indigenous bush, big views, absolutely sublime! Cannot recommend highly enough."

If watching the video doesn't convince you that it has to be on your bucket list, then slow it down to a tenth of the speed and just enjoy the skill and artistry of these riders and the trail builder, then like the video and follow Hylton Turvey, Jason Boulle and Luke Dinkel to discover more about our trails and mountain biking in the Karkloof which is undoubtedly one of South Africa's premier MTB destinations.

Rockwood Trail Map

Gallery

Itinerary

25km Lebanon climb

For every up hill, there is a down hill.

3km Escarpment Loop

Take in the view from the escarpment, across the forest towards the farmlands.

Grasslands Turns and Humps

Warm up for your sublime 7km descent. For the experienced it can take less than 11 minutes. For the rest of us, it is a grit your teeth, shaking, hands boiling exhilarating experience. This is the warm-up.

Forest Fun

Starts with a little forest fun, some fun berms and small crossings in the indigenous bush. The first big berm even has steps for those who need a confidence boost!

Endless Grassland Views

Catch your breath in the grasslands before your second forest venture. Now you should be on fire and feeling inspired.

The Maze of the Forest

Another gentle forest descent with roots and bends and just flowing ...

Grassland Contours

You breathe, you take in the view, you notice that you still have a long way down.

Forest Fury

For those in the know, the real descent is just beginning and your are entering a technical berm fury.

Breathe on the Grassland

You've made this far. Take in where you are if you aren't going too fast.

Yellowwood Log Trail

The forest seems friendly with gentle river crossings before an incredible, nail-biting descent down ancient yellowwood log trails.

The End

And then you exit onto the grassland again, and you take in where you have come from, what you have experienced and what you may want to do all over again.

But wait, there's more ... turn left to join the Rockwood Red MTB Trail for your fun journey home.