Karoo to Coast — Prince Alfred’s Pass

The Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike and Gravel Challenge is one of South Africa’s great cycling pilgrimages — a 96km journey from the high, semi-arid Klein Karoo town of Uniondale down through the mountains and indigenous forest to the Indian Ocean at Knysna. Since 1999, the route has been the heartbeat of the Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna, raising funds for causes including the South African Guide Dog Association, cataract operations and reading glasses for local children. All proceeds go directly to charity.

The Route

The route is 93% gravel, with 1,800m of total elevation gain across four major challenges. It begins with the Ou Wapad — the historic wagon trail section that opens the race with rocky, technical terrain that immediately establishes the character of the day. From here, riders push toward Prince Alfred’s Pass — South Africa’s longest gravel mountain pass, built by road engineer Thomas Bain between 1860 and 1867. The steady climb to the summit is followed by 800m of one of the most glorious gravel descents in the country, arriving at Die Plaaskind Padstaal where the famous Kudu Pies are a mandatory refuelling stop. From the pass, the route enters the Knysna Forest — Kom se Pad and exclusive sections of privately-owned forest that most cyclists never access — before the brutal Simola Hill climb delivers riders to the Knysna Waterfront finish.

The landscape transformation across the 96km is extraordinary: from the sparse, golden Karoo hillsides at Uniondale to fynbos-covered mountain slopes on Prince Alfred’s Pass, through deep green indigenous forest in Gouna, to the sparkling blue of the Knysna Lagoon at the finish. Many riders describe it as experiencing four different countries in a single ride.

Event vs. Independent Riding

The annual event in September is the definitive way to experience the route — full event support, 9 water points, medical cover and the unique Uniondale dinner the night before create a complete adventure. The R950 entry fee includes all of this plus SANParks access permits for sections through national park land. The event has grown from a small community race to 4,500 riders. Elite riders have now sub-3-hour finish times in their sights. Outside the event, the public road sections can be ridden independently year-round — contact Uniondale Tourism for current route information.

Getting There

Uniondale is on Route 62 in the Klein Karoo, 430km from Cape Town via the N2 and R62. GPS for Uniondale Show Grounds: -33.6562, 23.1244. Tel: +27 44 752 1322 (Uniondale Tourism). Event entries and information at karootocoast.com.

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