240km of gravel and MTB trails across the Langeberg mountains on Route 62 — seven mapped routes from flat Grade 1 family loops to Grade 5 mountain goat epics, plus a network of mountain singletrack in the Montagu Mountain Reserve. Home of the Langeberg GravelGrinder stage race and Cape Classic MTB event.
The Swartberg Pass is South Africa’s most celebrated gravel cycling route — a 24km UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument to Victorian-era engineering, constructed between 1881 and 1888 by road builder Thomas Bain entirely from dry stone walling without cement or explosive blasting. The pass climbs from the Klein Karoo wine and ostrich town of Oudtshoorn to 1,600m above sea level at the Swartberg summit before descending to the perfectly preserved karoo village of Prince Albert on the north side — one of the most dramatic single-day cycling experiences in Africa.
The Swartberg Pass road surface is graded gravel — loose in sections, with technically demanding loose-shale switchbacks near the summit on both sides. A gravel bike, hardtail MTB or rigid touring bike with appropriate tyres (35mm+ recommended) is ideal. The route can be ridden in either direction, but the most popular approach is to ride up from Prince Albert and descend toward Oudtshoorn, taking advantage of the dramatic karoo desert views on the Prince Albert side and the lush fynbos and canyon scenery on the descent.
As a one-way route, this requires a vehicle shuttle (Prince Albert to Oudtshoorn is approximately 80km by road via Matjiesfontein). Alternatively, ride both ascents and descents as an out-and-back for a full 48km day. The Gamkaskloof Road extension from the Prince Albert gate toward the isolated Die Hel valley (an isolated farming community accessible only by this road) adds 32km of remote adventure gravel riding for those seeking a multi-day excursion.
Prince Albert on the northern side of the pass deserves a full afternoon — a perfectly preserved Victorian Karoo village with olive groves, artisan food producers, the Swartberg Hotel and a community that has welcomed cyclists warmly for years. This is the ideal base for a Swartberg gravel adventure.
North start: Prince Albert — off the N1 highway at Touws River direction, or via Matjiesfontein. South start: Oudtshoorn — on the R328 toward Calitzdorp. GPS for southern foot (Oudtshoorn side): -33.3167, 22.1667.
The Overberg Meander Gravel Route is a 200km loop through the rural heartland of the Western Cape’s southern coastal interior — a region of wheat farms, sheep estates, wine valleys and rolling fynbos hillsides that most cyclists only see from the N2 highway. Relaunched and upgraded as a dedicated bikepacking and gravel event route, the Overberg Meander explores the agricultural landscapes between Caledon, Bredasdorp, Swellendam and Riviersonderend on a mix of quiet gravel roads, farm access tracks and country roads that carry minimal traffic.
The terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling — the Overberg plateau is not mountainous, making this more an endurance and exploration route than a technical challenge. The reward is the landscape: vast open wheat fields in winter and spring green, sheep farms extending to the horizon, the distant Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountains providing a dramatic backdrop, and the particular quality of Overberg light that photographers and painters have celebrated for generations. In September and October, the Overberg is in bloom — one of the finest wildflower displays in the Western Cape outside the Namaqua region.
The route connects the Overberg Meander tourism corridor, which includes wine farms, fynbos guest farms, historic Cape Dutch homesteads and some of the best cheese and preserves production in the country. This is excellent slow-travel bikepacking terrain — ride 80-100km per day, stop at a farm stall or guesthouse, and absorb the Overberg at a pace the N2 never allows.
Base in Caledon or Swellendam — both have good accommodation options. GPS for Caledon start: -34.2300, 19.9900. From Cape Town: N2 highway 120km to Caledon. For current route details, event dates and GPX tracks, visit mtbroutes.co.za.
Capaia Wine Estate sits on the West Coast outside Philadelphia — a quiet agricultural village between Malmesbury and Cape Town that sits at the heart of the Swartland wine revolution. The estate’s boutique approach to both viticulture and hospitality extends to its MTB trail offering: farm loops through vineyards and West Coast fynbos with expansive views across the Swartland plains toward Table Mountain and Malmesbury.
Capaia’s trails are not a destination network in the same sense as Jonkershoek or Bottelary Hills, but rather a scenic farm riding experience that complements the estate’s wine and restaurant offering. The terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling — the West Coast plateau lacks dramatic mountain elevation — but the landscape is characteristically beautiful: open fynbos, neatly maintained vineyards, the distinctive West Coast light and unobstructed views that define the Swartland.
The estate may provide connections to the broader Philadelphia and Tygerberg area riding corridors for annual permit holders. Contact Capaia directly before visiting to confirm current trail access, fees and any seasonal closures.
Capaia Wine Estate is on Philadelphia Road near Philadelphia village, approximately 40km north of Cape Town. GPS: -33.6234, 18.6089. Tel: +27 21 972 1710. From Cape Town: N7 north to Philadelphia Road exit or R304 through Durbanville.
Three internationally-acclaimed routes through oak forests, apple orchards, vineyards and mountain fynbos on a 1786-hectare estate in the Elgin Valley — host to ABSA Cape Epic and FNB Wines2Whales, rated 5-star by expert riders, with legendary named sections and a pool restaurant serving bikers breakfast.
35km of sweeping singletrack on the northern slopes of Paarl Mountain — 70 terraced switchbacks descend the Shiraz trail’s eastern face past vineyards and fynbos. Home to award-winning wine and a full estate restaurant for the perfect post-ride recovery.
Four progressive colour-coded loops on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain — from a 4km beginner loop to a black-grade 12km descent with 600m of climbing. Sweeping views over False Bay, Table Mountain and the Stellenbosch Winelands reward the effort.
60km of forest singletrack on the forested slopes above the Elgin Valley near Grabouw — four colour-coded routes from beginner yellow to advanced red weaving through orchards, indigenous forest, fynbos and river crossings. Excellent shade makes this one of the best summer riding options in the Western Cape.
South Africa’s oldest mountain bike singletrack destination — Deon Malherbe built the first trails on his family farm 35 years ago as a 10-year-old. Now 100km+ of hand-built, raw natural singletrack through the Ceres Valley mountains, host to multiple ABSA Cape Epics and rated among the finest singletrack in the country.
Cape Town’s most iconic and accessible MTB hub — the UCT slopes around Rhodes Memorial connect the Constantia Greenbelt, Newlands Forest and Kirstenbosch into one of the largest free urban trail networks in the world, and served as ABSA Cape Epic Prologue terrain multiple times.