Manley Flats Community Trails

About Manley Flats Community Trails

Start: Radway Green B&B on the R67, 15 km from Grahamstown, 25 km from Bathurst
Level: all levels of difficulty
Type of route: mostly single track trails through valley bushveld and a dedicated 4x4 jeep track
Distance: 3 km-19 km
Tip: take your own drinking water as the water in streams is not drinkable
Cost: a season permit is only R100 per person
Permits: self-issue system and honesty box

A series of MTB trails have been created by the Sikhululekile Community, emerging farmers who are part of an agri-village project in the Kowie catchment area. They have made the trails themselves as a way to attract tourists and locals to the area. The trails are set across two farms.

The trails form part of their income stream. The agri-village farms on parts of former white-owned farms, where they grow their own crops by hand. A difficult process at best, particularly as the government has still not provided the community with electricity. Plans to provide backpacker accommodation are in the pipeline, but remain thwarted without electricity.

Part of the 13 km trail passes by a few of their wattle and daub houses, and if you are interested, the community will gladly show you around their farm.

The trail entrance is clearly marked (look out for the yellow bicycle atop a trail sign; you can't miss it) from the road, and there is an area where you can safely park cars.

The Manley Flats Community trails form part of the Belmont Valley Challenge

Income generated from the trails goes to the members of the emerging farms.