The best gravel cycling tours in south africa
If you’re searching for one of the world’s ultimate gravel cycling destinations, South Africa particularly the Western Cape should be at the top of your list.
Stretching from dramatic Atlantic coastlines to remote mountain passes, endless vineyards, semi-desert landscapes and quiet farm roads, the Western Cape offers an extraordinary variety of gravel riding. Whether you’re looking for flowing district roads through wine country or challenging climbs deep in the Cederberg, you’ll find routes that rival the best gravel destinations anywhere on Earth.
Unlike many popular cycling regions, you can ride for hours with very little traffic, passing through historic towns, vineyards, mountain ranges and some of South Africa’s most spectacular landscapes.
Here are four of the very best multi-day gravel cycling tours in the Western Cape.
For riders seeking a true wilderness adventure, the Cederberg Circuit is one of the Western Cape’s premier gravel cycling experiences. The Cederberg mountains also known as the red gods were formed 600 million years ago by glaciers. The feeling you get within this valley is breath taking.
This route winds through a landscape of towering sandstone mountains, remote valleys and quiet gravel passes, where you’ll often ride for hours without seeing another vehicle. Every day brings spectacular scenery, rewarding climbs and welcoming country hospitality.
Highlights include:
If you’re looking to escape busy roads and immerse yourself in nature, the Cederberg Circuit is hard to beat.
The Cross Cape has become one of South Africa’s iconic gravel cycling adventures, linking the Klein Karoo with the forests and coastline of the Garden Route.
This journey takes you from coastal towns – lush forests – arid dusty semi desert – rural farming areas – winelands – back to the ocean in Cape Town.
The daily contrast leaves our guests in disbelief and starry eyed.
At Kaap Tours, we also offer an extended version of this incredible journey, beginning in Prince Albert before travelling through Uniondale and joining the official Cross Cape route near Knysna. For riders wanting an even bigger adventure, we can also include the legendary Swartberg Pass, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most spectacular gravel climbs.
Highlights include:
This is an unforgettable point-to-point journey that showcases the incredible diversity of the Western Cape.
For riders who love wide open spaces and remote adventures, few places compare to the Tankwa Karoo.
The gravel roads stretch towards distant mountain ranges beneath enormous skies, creating a feeling of complete freedom. While the terrain is physically demanding, the roads themselves are generally smooth and perfectly suited to gravel bikes. The Tankwa Karoo is absolutely stunning but not for the faint of heart, it can be tough there is often challenges but that is part of this experience and that is how core memories are formed.
Expect:
This is gravel riding at its purest.
The Overberg is one of the Western Cape’s hidden gems for gravel cycling.
Rolling wheat fields, quiet farm roads, mountain views and welcoming country towns combine to create an ideal multi-day adventure. The riding is less demanding than some of the province’s more mountainous regions, making it a fantastic choice for riders looking to enjoy spectacular scenery at a more relaxed pace.
Highlights include:
It’s an ideal introduction to multi-day gravel touring in South Africa.
Ride the Western Cape with Kaap Tours
At Kaap Tours, we specialise in private, fully supported gravel cycling adventures that showcase the very best of the Western Cape.
From the rugged mountains of the Cederberg and the vast landscapes of the Tankwa Karoo to the unforgettable Cross Cape and the peaceful gravel roads of the Overberg, every itinerary is carefully designed to deliver an authentic South African cycling experience.
Whether you’re planning your first gravel holiday or searching for your next big adventure, we’ll take care of the logistics, accommodation, luggage transfers and route planning—allowing you to focus on the ride.
Get in touch with Kaap Tours to start planning your next gravel cycling adventure in the Western Cape.