START / FINISH

Stellenbosch

DURATION

5 days / 5 nights

LEVEL

Intermediate – Advanced

Day 1: Arrival

We’ll meet you at Cape Town International airport to transfer you to your accommodation in Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa’s leading wine producing region. Once settled in, we’ll sit down over a coffee and discuss the days ahead and any queries you may have, before leaving you to enjoy your first night in the country’s second oldest town, full of historic charm and with a vibrant street culture.

Overnight: Stellenbosch

Day 2: Get to know Stellenbosch

Today, you’ll get to know Stellenbosch better from the saddle, as we spend the day exploring the gravel jeep trails of Stellenbosch Mountain and Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, including Mont Marie, Eden Forest and Coetzenberg areas. Stopping at a wine estate for lunch, you’ll have plenty of occasion to stop and soak up the sunshine, breathe in the smells of fynbos, the Cape’s indigenous vegetation, while enjoying the breathtaking natural scenery.

Approximate distance: 50km
Terrain: undulating gravel jeep track

Overnight: Stellenbosch 

Day 3: Spice Route Loop

This morning we’ll drive across town to the outskirts of Stellenbosch, before heading off on gravel farm roads to The Spice Route outside Paarl. En route, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Table Mountain and Table Bay.

We’ll stop for a coffee and leg stretch, before continuing our loop towards the historic Boschendal Wine Estate, where we’ll finish off with a late lunch under the trees. Once you’ve had a chance to explore Boschendal’s enviable kitchen garden and farm grounds, we’ll transfer you to your charming guest house in Franschhoek (“French corner in Dutch”), that has earned the title of South Africa’s culinary capital, housing three of the country’s top 10 restaurants.

Approx distance: 60km
Terrain: undulating dirt roads with sections of tarmac 

Overnight: Franschhoek 

Day 4: Overberg Meander

Today, we ride out the front door and up and over the intimidating Franschhoek Pass, enjoying a thrilling descent towards the Theewaterskloof Dam. After roughly 40km on asphalt, we’ll turn off onto a dirt farm road and head towards the quaint artistic village of Greyton, tucked against the Riversonderend Mountain Range.

Approx distance: 70km
Terrain: combination of tar and gravel 

Overnight: Greyton 

Day 5: Greyton Loop

Today, we’ll make the most of our natural surroundings and complete a gravel circuit along the empty gravel farm roads surrounding Greyton. Think rolling fields and farmlands, grazing sheep and goats and rows of fruit orchards, set in an idyllic mountainous valley.

Approx distance: 60km
Terrain: undulating gravel roads 

After lunch, we head back to Stellenbosch by car, where you’ll have one last night in winelands paradise before moving onto the next leg of your journey.

Overnight: Stellenbosch