Mountain bike or Gravel bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
7 Day Tour: 5 days riding, 2 days transfer
Come and see for yourself what the fuss over the Garden Route is all about. This “off the beaten track” ride in one of the most unique parts of South Africa should be on everyone’s bucket list. From the harsh dry landscape of ostrich farms and succulents in the Small Karoo, to the lush indigenous forests of Knysna and Tsitsikamma.
Day 1: Transfer from Cape Town to George (5 hours)
Day 2: George to Oudtshoorn – 65km (1000m altitude gain)
Our first challenge of the day is the historic Montagu Pass, opened in 1848 and the oldest unaltered pass in the country still in use today. From the top of the pass, it’s an easy decent all the way to Herold for a quick coffee and cake stop. Once we get going again, the change in vegetation is immediately noticeable, ostrich farms and quiet roads dominate the scenery all the way into Oudtshoorn.
Day 3: Oudtshoorn to Eagle Falls – 78km (1200m)
There are no major climbs on the route today but the undulating gravel roads add up at the end of the day and shouldn’t be underestimated. The wide open spaces and spectacular views of the Outeniqua mountain range are what it’s about today.
Dinner included.
Day 4: Eagle Falls to De Vlugt – 70km (1200m)
We leave our overnight oasis and head towards Uniondale and the Prince Albert Pass on a great piece of easy rolling road next to the Kammanassie River. After a quick recharge at the local Uniondale coffee shop we head up the Holdrif valley on a short section of tar road. After a short climb we finish the day with an awesome descent down the Prince Albert Pass.
Dinner included.
Day 5: De Vlugt to Knysna – 60km (1150m)
Today we transition from the semi arid Karoo vegetation to the lush indigenous forest of the coastal area. A large portion of today’s ride is in state owned indigenous forest, be sure to keep and eye open for the elusive Knysna Loerie and if you’re very lucky perhaps even the Knysna elephant.
Day 6: Knysna to Wilderness – 72km (1200m)
Some of the best riding on the Garden Route awaits today, as we head down the historic 7 passes road with its’ steel bridges, dairy farms, and forest, it is the essence of the Garden Route.