Ride the Scenic Route to Black Horse: Magaliesburg’s Hidden Gem for Motorcycle Riders

There is something special about an early morning ride out of Johannesburg or Pretoria. The city slowly disappears behind you, the traffic gives way to open countryside, and suddenly it is just you, your motorcycle and the road ahead. For many Gauteng riders, the Magaliesburg area has long been a favourite escape. But a great ride deserves an equally memorable destination.

Welcome to Black Horse Estate in Magaliesburg. Located in the beautiful Zeekoeihoek Valley, approximately an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, Black Horse offers something a little different from the usual breakfast stop. Think magnificent trees, lush gardens, delicious food, handcrafted beers, an award-winning craft distillery and the occasional glimpse of majestic black Friesian horses grazing in the surrounding fields. It is the kind of place where you arrive planning to stop for breakfast and end up staying for lunch.

The journey is half the adventure

For motorcycle enthusiasts, getting there should be part of the experience. The scenic roads through the Cradle of Humankind and towards Hekpoort offer a wonderful change from the daily commute. The R563 through Hekpoort is particularly well known among local riders, with its mountain scenery, changing elevations and beautiful countryside. From there, riders can continue towards Magaliesburg and Black Horse. For those travelling from Pretoria, the Hartbeespoort and Hekpoort area also offers opportunities to create an enjoyable countryside route.

From Johannesburg, the R563 leaves Krugersdorp, crosses the N14 and runs past the Sterkfontein Caves to Hekpoort, about 30 km of tar. At Hekpoort it meets the R560, which runs south-west to Magaliesburg, and the R24. From Pretoria, take the R512 to the western edge of Hartbeespoort Dam, where the R560 begins, and follow it through Skeerpoort and Hekpoort. Black Horse is on Bekker Schools Road just outside Magaliesburg: search for Black Horse Estate in your maps app, or use the estate’s GPS point, 25°57′13″S 27°32′10″E.

Whether you ride a Harley-Davidson, BMW adventure bike, Triumph, Honda, Kawasaki, Royal Enfield or something completely different, the attraction is much the same: getting out of the city, enjoying the countryside and spending time with people who share your passion. Choose your route, check the road conditions and enjoy the journey at your own pace. After all, a great Sunday ride is not about who gets there first.

A destination worth stopping for

What makes Black Horse special is that it offers more than just a restaurant. The property is surrounded by beautiful established gardens, with outdoor seating beneath magnificent trees and an atmosphere that encourages visitors to slow down. After spending the morning on your motorcycle, there is something wonderfully satisfying about taking off your helmet, settling into a comfortable chair, and enjoying a proper meal.

The Black Horse Restaurant serves hearty country-style food, making it an inviting destination for breakfast, lunch or a leisurely afternoon meal. And then there is the setting. Instead of rushing through your meal and heading straight back onto the road, you can wander through the gardens, admire the countryside and enjoy some time away from the city’s constant activity. There is no need to hurry. Sometimes the best part of a ride is finding somewhere you don’t want to leave.

More than a restaurant: the brewery and distillery

Black Horse has been part of the Magaliesburg craft brewing and distilling scene since 2012. Its on-site craft brewery produces distinctive handcrafted beers, while Black Horse Distillery creates a range of spirits, including award-winning gins and other speciality products.

For visitors interested in how these products are made, the estate offers guided brewery and distillery tours on selected days. These experiences provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship involved in producing beer and spirits. A tour takes about an hour to an hour and a half and ends with a gin tasting in the Cardinal Bar, so book it before you go.

For riders heading home on their motorcycles, a refreshing alcohol-free drink is the sensible choice. Those wanting to enjoy the full beer and gin tasting experience can turn the visit into an overnight getaway. And that brings us to another reason Black Horse deserves a place on your riding calendar.

Why rush home? Stay the weekend

Black Horse is not only a day-trip destination. The estate also offers comfortable countryside accommodation, including private en-suite cottages and a larger farmhouse. Imagine arriving on a Saturday afternoon, parking the motorcycle, settling into your accommodation and spending the evening enjoying great food and the relaxed atmosphere of the estate. With no riding planned afterwards, you can take your time exploring the brewery and distillery experiences.

The following morning, enjoy breakfast before setting off on another scenic journey through the Magaliesburg countryside. For couples who enjoy travelling together or small groups planning a weekend escape, this offers an opportunity to combine the freedom of motorcycling with a proper country getaway.

Motorcycle clubs and riding groups: make Black Horse your next meeting point

One of the best parts of motorcycling is the people you meet along the way. The friendships, the stories, the friendly arguments about motorcycles and the laughter over breakfast are what turn a simple ride into something memorable. Black Horse is well suited to this spirit of togetherness.

In fact, motorcycle groups have already discovered the estate. In June 2023, members of the Ulysses Joburg North chapter enjoyed a breakfast run to Black Horse, praising the venue, food and camaraderie. Now we would love to see more motorcycle clubs making Black Horse part of their regular riding calendar.

Whether you are organising a small breakfast run with five friends, a Sunday outing with your riding club or a larger organised gathering, Black Horse provides a countryside setting where riders can relax and enjoy one another’s company. Club organisers are encouraged to contact the restaurant in advance to arrange seating and discuss their group requirements. Black Horse also hosts seasonal markets, live entertainment and other events throughout the year, providing even more reasons to plan a return visit. You could make Black Horse your regular monthly ride, an annual club gathering or simply that special destination you introduce to fellow riders.

Come for the ride, stay for the experience

There are plenty of places to stop for coffee or breakfast around Gauteng. But the most memorable motorcycle destinations offer something beyond a meal. They offer a reason to take the scenic route, a place to relax, and an experience worth sharing with fellow riders. That is what makes Black Horse Estate worth discovering. It is the combination of countryside roads, beautiful surroundings, good food, craft brewing, distilling and genuine Magaliesburg hospitality that makes the experience special.

And sometimes, discovering somewhere new is all the motivation you need to get the motorcycle out of the garage. So next time your riding group asks, “Where are we going this weekend?”, why not suggest somewhere different? Set your GPS for Black Horse Estate, choose the scenic route through the Magaliesburg countryside, and make a day of it. Bring your motorcycle. Bring your riding mates. Bring your appetite. The road is waiting, and so is Black Horse.

Plan your ride to Black Horse

Black Horse Estate is at 32 Seekoeihoek / Bekker Schools Road, Magaliesburg, Gauteng. The main restaurant is open Friday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch, with the Stables Café open from Monday to Thursday. For club and group bookings, call or WhatsApp the restaurant on 082 453 5295, and for the cottages and farmhouse call 060 951 9935. Brewery and distillery tours run on selected days and must be booked in advance, and the tasting rooms are open from 11:00 to 15:00 every day except Tuesday. Times can change, so check blackhorse.co.za or call before you ride out.

Ride responsibly. Enjoy the road, respect fellow road users and never drink and ride.