ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
Meet and greet guests at Cape Town International Airport.
Catch connecting flight to George Airport.
Escape Cycle Tours team will meet and greet at the airport and then a short transfer to Plettenberg Bay
Sundowners and dinner as the Escape team briefs the guests about the tour.
Overnight: Plettenberg Bay
THE GARDEN ROUTE - PLETTENBERG BAY TO KNYSNA
Welcome to the Garden Route. The ride begins with a cycle up Wittedrif Road, followed by a good climb as you venture deep into the hills. You’ll be treated to 360 degree views before you plunge into the indigenous sub-tropical Knysna forest, where you’ll be surrounded by lush green ferns and misty treetops. When you reach Gouna Road keep an eye out for elephants which are said to roam freely in the area.
Overnight: Knysna
KNYSNA TO GEORGE
As you leave Knysna, you’ll have a spectacular view of the famous ‘Heads’ from the lagoon road. It’s easy to see why this special place was a well-known sanctuary for weary sailors. From there, you’ll climb up Phantom Pass to the small villages of Rheenendal, Karatara and Homtini. Enjoy the view along the Seven Passes Road which showcases the rural side of the Garden Route with a blend of indigenous forests, river beds and dairy farms before you reach George.
Overnight: George
THE KLEIN KAROO - GEORGE TO OUDTSHOORN
We start with a climb over the Outeniqua mountain range via the Montagu Pass, to enter the Klein Karoo. Be sure to carry extra water as this is by no means an easy climb. You’ll be rewarded at the top with an endlessly winding view down the valley. The second part of the ride is more forgiving than the first as you make your way down the pass, and across flatter land towards Oudtshoorn.
Overnight: Oudtshoorn
THE SWARTBERG MOUNTAINS - OUDTSHOORN TO CALITZDORP
This is amongst the more demanding treks along the route as you skirt the foothills of the Swartberg mountain range. Enjoy the flora and wildlife; you may spot a meerkat or giraffe along the way. The red stone hills provide a vibrant splash of colour to the left, before you disappear into the cool shadows of the Groenfontein valley. The next town is Calitzdorp, the Port wine capital of South Africa.
Overnight: Calitzdorp
CALITZDORP TO VANWYKSDORP
After leaving the oasis town of Calitzdorp, you head out along a flat stretch festooned with ostrich farms towards the mountains in the distance. Rooiberg Pass awaits. This 11km climb is loose and rough with a dusty film during the descent. Enjoy the ride, and the magnificent view of the endless rolling hills below as you head down to the town of Vanwyksdorp.
Overnight: Vanwyksdorp
VANWYKSDORP TO RIVERSDALE
This part of the route starts off with a long and dusty stretch. Respite comes after you traverse Garcia Pass, named after one of the 1820 settlers of the area, who established a trade route to the interior by forging a route through the mountains. After the summit, you head downhill to re-enter the cool climate terrain south of the Langeberg Mountain range, and the town of Riversdale.
Overnight: Riversdale
THE CAPE OVERBERG - RIVERSDALE TO SWELLENDAM
There are some testing ‘rollers’ skirting the mountains as you head out of Riversdale. As you near Heidelberg, the valley of Duiwenhoks provides a nice flat river course followed abruptly by the monstrous “Heartbreak Hill,” taking you out of the valley and up to the Grootvadersbosch area. From here it’s an easy ride down and through the old mission station village of Suurbraak, and a last stretch going into the historic town of Swellendam.
Overnight: Swellendam
Heartbreak Hill
Old mission station village of Suurbraak
SWELLENDAM TO RIVIERSONDEREND
Your journey through the Cape Overberg starts along the Breede River and its rolling hills through this grain growing region until you reach the Drew Bridge. Grab a bite to eat at Riviersonderend, which is renowned for being the gourmet pie capital of the Western Cape.
RIVIERSONDEREND TO GREYTON
This is arguably one of the most forgiving sections of the route, with few hills to climb. After leaving Riviersonderend, you’ll cross a picturesque bridge over the Sonderend River as you make your way toward the quaint, oak-lined village of Greyton. Here you’ll find superb cuisine and craft beer, with some lovely accommodation to boot.
Overnight: Greyton
GREYTON TO FRANSCHHOEK
On this section the riding is smooth and mostly tarred with the iconic Franschhoek Pass to manoeuvre. Traffic along this section is generally slow, but do keep safely to the side of the road. Check the weather forecasts as the winds at Theewaterskloof Dam can make riding a challenge. As you pass Franschhoek take advantage of the coffee shops and pastry bistros to fuel up for the final assault.
Overnight: Franschhoek
FRANSCHHOEK TO STELLENBOSCH
Riding through the heart of the Cape Winelands signals the final stretch of the route. This section is all tar, but very worth it, as you wind your way past some of the country’s most superb and well known wine farms. Push over the Helshoogte Pass – the final pass of the ride - and coast down to Stellenbosch for a photo finish, and a well-deserved beverage in Stellenbosch.
EXPLORE CAPE TOWN
This morning we have leisurely breakfast and transfer through to the Mother City.
Optional activities include:
- Hike up Table Mountain / cableway
- Yacht cruise from the V&A Waterfront
- Robben Island
- City Sightseeing Tour Bus
Overnight Cape Town
DEPARTURE
After breakfast (depending on flight times), we depart for the Airport for your flight home
