gravel

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    Olifants River Valley Gravel Routes

    ByMtbApp

    The Olifants River Valley is one of South Africa’s most productive agricultural regions — a fertile corridor between Citrusdal and Vanrhynsdorp where citrus, wine grapes, olives and rooibos are grown under a climate of extreme summer heat and gentle winter sun. For gravel cyclists, the valley offers a distinctly different landscape to the Winelands and Garden Route: wide open, sparsely populated agricultural roads with minimal traffic, big mountain backdrops and the ever-present Olifants River providing shade and wildlife on riverside routes.

    The Routes

    The valley floor loops around Citrusdal are accessible to most riders — flat farm roads through orange and citrus orchards on low-traffic gravel with the Skurweberg and Cederberg mountains as a constant backdrop. The Piekenierskloof Pass (27km ascent from the valley floor, 760m summit) is the most popular climbing challenge — a scenic mountain pass linking the Olifants River Valley to Piketberg that has drawn cyclists for decades, particularly on the early-morning ascent with the Olifants River valley spread out below. The Nieuwoudt Pass provides the classic approach from Citrusdal into the Cederberg Wilderness for those combining valley riding with the more serious MTB terrain at Algeria (see Cederberg MTB Trails listing).

    The Bulshoek Dam section of the Olifants River is excellent for birdwatching rides — the dam and river support a rich variety of water birds and the road along the river carries minimal traffic.

    Practical Notes

    Summer riding in the Olifants River Valley is genuinely dangerous — Citrusdal regularly records temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in December and January. If visiting in summer, rides must be completed before 7am. The best time to visit is orange blossom season (approximately July-August) when the valley fills with the scent of citrus flowers and the scenery is extraordinary.

    Getting There

    Citrusdal is 200km from Cape Town via the N7 north. GPS: -32.5833, 19.0167. Tel Citrusdal Tourism: +27 22 921 3210.

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    Overberg Meander Gravel Route

    ByMtbApp

    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.

    What to Expect

    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.

    Getting There

    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.

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    Swartberg Pass Gravel Route

    ByMtbApp

    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.

    What to Expect

    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

    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.

    Getting There

    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.