Description

This five day trail takes you from Wilderness in the heart of the Garden Route, up over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo. Some steep climbing is rewarded by spectacular views and a thrilling decent down the other side. Winding your way through the farm districts, you once again return over the mountains down the steep Montagu Pass to the coast. The tour ends off with two days in a private game reserve enjoying some game viewing from your bike. Taking you through some of South Africa's most beautiful and scenic areas, this trail follows gravel roads and aside from one or two steep climbs requires no specific technical skills.

Highlights

• Climbing up over the "Old Voortrekker" pass
• Meandering through the Little Karoo
• Spectacular scenery along the mountain passes
• Thrilling descent down Montagu Pass
• Game viewing from your bike

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Wilderness, a small village near George along the Garden Route of South Africa. After checking your bike set up and handing over your luggage to the back up vehicle, you depart on the trail. Day one starts with a steep climb up the historic “Old Voortrekker” pass. From the top of the pass there is an awesome view: to the south, the beaches you have just left behind and to the north, more mountains bisected by a fertile farming valley. Desecending down the other side of the pass the day ends on a traditional farm in the Little Karoo. Overnight accommodation is in a restored farmhouse. Distance cycled is approximately 40km’s along gravel tracks.

Day 2
Today’s ride is far more relaxed as you meander through the Little Karoo with its stunning scenery. The day’s ride ends in Herold. The police station and post office have been renovated to become the luxurious guesthouse. This is where you spend your second night. You arrive in time for lunch because summer temperatures prohibit riding in the middle of the day. The afternoon is spent visiting a hops farm or relaxing at the guesthouse.

Day 3
After breakfast depart from the quaint Karoo town and prepare for a thrilling descent down the Montagu Pass, a steep 10km of winding downhill. The pass has amazing views but it’s probably best that you keep your eyes on the road rather than appreciate it. Once down the pass head west along the mountain foothills through forest and crossing mountain springs where water bottles are replenished. East of Mossel Bay we continue toward the ocean stopping at a private game farms where you will be staying for the next two nights. Distance covered is approximately 55km’s, most of which is downhill.

Day 4
Today you get to view some of Africa’s wildlife up close from your bike. The easy cycling route takes you cycling amongst white rhino, buffalo, giraffe and a variety of antelope. Return to the lodge and have the rest of the day to relax at the lodge or enjoy and afternoon game drive.

Day 5
After an early breakfast there is a short cycle route for some more game viewing. Thereafter check out of the lodge and transfer back to Wilderness where the tour ends.