There’s something almost mythical about the Karkloof, a place where nature and craftsmanship converge to create an unforgettable experience. This is what makes the Sappi Karkloof Trails Festival one of the most anticipated events of the year. Riders may enter for the race, but they come for the trails.
Paid partnership with Sappi
Surrounded by green farmlands, gums, pines and the backdrop of the Karkloof hillsides, a playground of trails spreads out in a 250km network of single track only15km from the small town of Howick. It’s been crafted by different hands over the last 30 years, from the rough and rugged ‘spade and pick’ trails of the early days to the machine assisted flowing lines of Turvey Trails.
The Karkloof Trails Festival, starting with the first event 33 years ago, featuring only mountain biking, has evolved into a weekend of diverse outdoor events. On Saturday, 24 May, trail running options include 9km, 15km, and 21km races, along with an afternoon Enduro and Enduro Lite for thrill-seekers, plus an e-Bike category. Sunday, 25 May, offers a 9km trail fun run, kids’ 10km mountain bike race, and traditional 20km, 40km, and 60km races. The South African Marathon Champs, coinciding with the festival, adds an 85km race to the day’s activities.
Sappi has proudly partnered with the Absa Karkloof Country Club for many years, inspired by their deep commitment to Creating Shared Value – an approach that aligns with our own philosophy. This ensures that the benefits of a business or event extend as far as possible throughout the value chain. With community enrichment at the heart of their approach to managing recreation and events, the impact is both tangible and far-reaching. While the trails may feel mythical, the difference they make in people’s lives is undeniably real.
The Absa Karkloof Country Club runs several projects. Education Karkloof, which is focused on Early Childhood Development and local primary school support, Improve Karkloof, which allows locals to directly contribute to the upkeep of greater Karkloof as well as support security measures and, most recently, the Karkloof Conservation Centre, has been included in their community projects. Prioritising events with a far-reaching positive effect is one of Sappi’s responsible land access actions, where we want the impacts of events to be felt long after the dust of wheels turning has settled.
The Sappi Trails Programme has made a significant impact, and we’re proud of the achievements made possible through strong partnerships. Visitor numbers in the Karkloof continue to rise, with over 40 000 people passing through the area annually – whether to explore the Karkloof Falls, enjoy the trails, stay at local B&Bs, camp and birdwatch, or savour the renowned carrot cake freshly baked each day at the Club Café.
These individual visits and expenditures collectively contribute to substantial economic investment in the region. A 2016 study by KZN Tourism estimated an annual economic impact of R231 million. This growth has also had a positive effect on employment. According to a Business Impact Study conducted by the Sappi Trails Programme in partnership with uMngeni Tourism in 2022, the Sappi Karkloof Trails directly support 503 jobs and indirectly sustain 3 080 jobs within the uMngeni municipal area.
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Sappi Karkloof Trails Festival on 24 and 25 May. While the trails offer an exciting challenge and plenty of fun, the heart of the event goes beyond the race itself. Each entry supports incredible projects that transform lives, making your participation part of something truly meaningful.
