Paid partnership with Sappi
The Karkloof, long home to the famous Sappi trail network, hides a web of scenic gravel roads that link forests, farms, waterfalls and coffee stops in every direction. Thanks to the partnerships fostered through the Sappi Trails Programme, the area has become one of South Africa’s most accessible and rewarding playgrounds for adventure cyclists.
Tucked between the Curry’s Post and Karkloof Roads, the valley’s undulating dirt routes are perfect for exploring at your own pace – whether you’re spinning out 60 kilometres with a backpack of snacks, or meandering from coffee shop to waterfall. The Outback Trails, the view of Loskop, and the John Goodman Household Memorial make for memorable landmarks, while sightings of jackal buzzards and paragliders add to the magic.
Gravel riders love a good coffee stop, and the Karkloof delivers. From the aromatic hum of Terbodore Coffee Roasters to the lush gardens of Midlands Fable Eatery, there’s no shortage of places to refuel, recharge and chat about the next stretch of road. Down in the valley, the Karkloof Conservation Centre invites riders to rest their legs at the bird hides, spotting cranes and soaking in the peace of the wetlands before rolling back to the Absa Karkloof Country Club.
If the sun’s out, make time for the Karkloof Canopy Tours – a thrilling treetop zipline experience through ancient indigenous forest – or cruise down to the Karkloof Falls, where a Sappi selfie frame and a 105-metre waterfall make for an unforgettable photo stop.
And here’s the best part: while summer rain can turn forest singletrack into an ice-rink, the gravel network remains beautifully rideable. These roads drain quickly and open up some of the best views in the Midlands – lush forests, open grasslands and mist rolling over the hills. For those who want to keep riding through the wet season, Karkloof’s gravel routes are the perfect all-weather option.
At the heart of this riding paradise is the Sappi Trails Programme, which has spent over two decades building partnerships that make land access possible for riders while creating real shared value through stimulating economic and employment opportunities for neighbouring communities. Today, Sappi Trails welcomes over 10 000 day visitors a year, sustaining local jobs and businesses – proof that community impact can really be built on two wheels.
So whether it’s sunny or stormy this summer, grab your gravel bike, pack your rain jacket, and head for the Karkloof. The roads are ready, the coffee’s hot, and adventure waits just beyond the next bend.
Plan your ride at www.karkloofclub.co.za.
Paid partnership with Sappi
About Sappi
Sappi is a leading global provider of powerful everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we seek to support a more circular economy. Sappi Forests owns and manages vast landholdings in excess of 394 000 hectares. We are committed to promoting the responsible management of natural resources and approximately one third of our landholdings (136,000 ha) is unplanted.
Read more about the Sappi Trails Programme at: Sappi Trails Programme | Sappi Global
