The name karoo comes from an ancient san word meaning ‘Land Of Great thirst’

join us as we meander through the klein (small) Karoo taking in some of the best passes and gravel roads on the way to Cape Town

The route encompasses some of our favourite things about The Karoo. We focus on the paths less traveled and place an emphasis on embracing the environment and the community. From towns steeped in history to game spotting by bike, to switchback gravel passes carved out of fold mountains and onward through the Cape Winelands to the beauty of riding your bike from the city of Cape Town along steep cliffs and around the peninsula for Fish & Chips.

The standard route and package is 10 days and will cater for groups from 3-8 pax. Custom packages are available for groups up to 10 pax and for a trip duration of 4 days or more.

*From $3500 for the standard package (Exl. Flights, Bike Rentals and additional Alcoholic Beverages)

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Itinerary

Below you’ll find a day-to-day idea of what you’re likely to expect. Please note that changes could be made based on time of year, weather and road conditions or any specific requests made by the group. The ideal time to travel here is April/May or September/October.

Graaff-Reinet
2h45 (Transfer)
51 km. 570 m | 32 mi. 1870 ft
Our team will meet the the group in Gqeberha at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ). Transfer to Graaff-Reinet where you’ll get to settle into your Guesthouse while the team assemble the bikes. Graaff-Reinet is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and boasts countless national monuments. The late afternoon will involve either a chilled ride into the Camdeboo National Park or sundowners overlooking the Valley Of Desolation. Dinner will be at Casa Karoo.
Graaff-Reinet to Nieu Bethesda
110 km. 1770 m | 69 mi. 5800 ft
After an easy morning breakfast, we will leave Graaff-Reinet and after a couple kilometers of tar, we will make our way onto the gravel for the rest of the day. After some steady climbing we will be treated to an adrenaline-fueled descent that will take us to our first rest stop at around 78km. A punchy climb follows shortly after we cross the main road but what follows is some of the most glorious gravel descending you can imagine. One more kicker before we plunge into Nieu Bethesda, a quiet eden nestled in the arid environment and home to the famous, Owl House, an elaborately decorated wonderland which was home to the artist Helen Martins. A sky studded with stars and some delicious Karoo fare will conclude the day.
Nieu Bethesda to Graaff-Reinet
70 km. 1050 m | 44 mi. 3450 ft
A chilled morning start, with only 70 km to ride, there’s some time to take it all in. Not everything is easy however, the huge HC climb up to the top of the Valley Of Desolation at the end of the ride lingers large. It is worth every painful pedal stroke, we promise! A lunch time beer and some snack will greet you at the top. Oh, and the mammoth dolerite spires that rise above the valley floor! A quick shower and then it’s off to a game reserve for an evening game drive and some dinner.
Prince Albert
3h30 (Transfer)
The first rest day will see us road trip through the Karoo en route to Prince Albert via the incredible fold mountain wonderland that is Meiringspoort. After a quick dip in one of the cold river pools, we will arrive and settle in Prince Albert for the evening. The most beautifully quaint arid Karoo town nestled at the foot of the mighty Swartberg Mountains. A mandatory braai (barbecue) and some drinks under the night sky before turning in.
Prince Albert to Calitzdorp
85 km. 1740 m | 53 mi. 5700 ft
1h20 (Transfer)
Perhaps the highlight of the trip. The magnificent Swartberg Pass. This HC gravel monster is something truly special. We will ascend the Prince Albert side which takes you through the most incredible fold mountains and then breaks into a series of snaking switchbacks which take you up to a false summit. After reaching ‘Die Top’ you’ll be greeted by the vastness of the Klein Karoo as you plunge down the other side of the mountain. The rest of the day follows a series of rollers through the Groenfontein valley to Calitzdorp. After a well deserved lunch, we will transfer through to your Guesthouse outside Barrydale.
Barrydale to Barrydale (Gysmanshoek Loop)
117 km. 2217 m | 73 mi. 7250 ft
We had to create a loop in order to share this magnificent secret of the Klein Karoo. Gysmanshoek Pass was originally used to transport goods by Ox-Wagon in the mid 1700’s. The rocky pass ascends gently through some of the most beautiful Fynbos (‘Fine Bush’ in Afrikaans - An array of flowering scrubland native to the region). It’s not just about the pass though, we will pass through some of the most varied terrain including the possibility of a couple river crossings!
Barrydale to Montagu
85 km. 1037 m | 53 mi. 3400 ft
After a big day, we will have a chilled start to the day and roll out gently on Route 62 for a day made up predominantly of smooth rolling asphalt terrain. At the halfway point most of the climbing will be done and we can enjoy some beautiful fast gravel to take us into Montagu for the night. Nestled in the Langeberg mountains, Montagu is a little Karoo gem.
Montagu to Franschhoek
147 km. 1470 m | 91 mi. 4820 ft
A day of amazing scenery awaits as we move into the Cape Winelands. A mixture of paved and unpaved surfaces greet us as we traverse from the Langeberg mountains into valleys of roses and grapes before taking on the last big climb up Franschhoek Pass, built on the migratory route of elephants from centuries ago. The satisfaction of the views from the top and the promise of fine food and wine in the valley will make it a worthy end to the day.
Cape Town
1h10 (Transfer)
A good breakfast and we’ll be on our way. The group will have the choice between spending some time on a wine farm or two or heading into the city. The group is free to explore as they please and will be given a list of some great recommendations.
82 km. 906 m | 51 mi. 2970 ft
We will start the day at the Pas Normal Studio Clubhouse and Ollie’s Coffee in Sea Point for a great coffee and pastry. The ride will head out along the Atlantic Seaboard towards Hout Bay. The views along here just don’t get old and you’ll see what we mean. We will head around the peninsula via Noordhoek for a pit stop, Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs and onward towards Cape Point before crossing back to False Bay via Simonstown. We will end the ride with an authentic harbour fish & chips in Kalk Bay. The team will pack up the bikes and get the group ready for the transfer to Cape Town International Airport.