Review Groenkloof Pretoria

Groenkloof is one of the trails I enjoy the most. Unfortunately it is probably the least safe trail to ride as bicycle jackings are a common occurrence.  Get a map at the gate.  It is easy to get very lost.

Overall rating:8.1

The venue: 

Children: 9

Facilities: 8

Accessibility: 9

Cost: 8

The trail itself:


Security on trail: 3

Traffic Safety: 8

Fun: 10

Technicality:9

Scenery: 9

Obstructions:  8

Maintenance: 8

Hill climbing: 7

Variation: 10

The venue:

Children: 9

Lovely little bmx type track and plenty of easy trails for children to enjoy.  Children can also take part in horse riding.

Facilities: 8

I am unsure what is available to day visitors as I stayed in the overnight hut.

Accessibility: 9

Very easy to find.

Cost: 8

Very reasonable R35 per adult.  Extremely cheap to stay over in the hut.





The trail itself:


Security on trail: 3

Even though quads patrol this trail, there is a big danger of having your bicycle jacked. Never cycle this trail alone.

Traffic Safety: 8

While there are no busy roads to cross be aware of the fact that the main routes are also for 4x4 vehicles.  

Fun: 10

There is a main track around and many small tracks that veer off from the main track.   Every track has something different.  Some tracks are extremely difficult some are very easy. The steps down on tracks 7 and 8 ( I think)  have fun stairs and you feel as if you are going down a rollercoaster.

Technicality:9

All of your technical skills can be tested at Groenkloof with a variation of step climbing, bridges, steep slopes, logs and hills with loose rocks.  I have not encountered any berms but then I have not been on all the trails.  

Scenery: 9

Groenkloof is stunning and it is hard to believe that you are in the heart of Pretoria.  There is a variation of wild life at Groenkloof.   People who do any activity are reminded that this is the animal's environment and to stay 50 m away from them.  This is a bit hard when you come around a sharp corner and almost cycle straight into a wildebeest.  You only remember where you are when you get close to the fence and see the busy road next to it.

Obstructions:  8
Beware of the wild animals and the 4 x 4 vehicles but I never found either to be an extreme problem.

Maintenance: 8

In general the track and bridges are in good condition and well maintained there was a spot or two which I am unsure whether they were left to be difficult on purpose or if there was a maintenance issue.

Hill climbing: 7

I did not encounter any killer hill climbing besides for the occasional hills that were hard to climb due to loose rocks.

Variation: 10

There is a bit of everything on the different trails at Groenkloof.  The inexperienced can keep to the main track which does a circuit.  Every little trail that veers off the main track has a different surprise in store for the mountain biker.