Swellendam to L’Agulhas
Swellendam is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Langeberg Mountains. Visit Wlidebraam Berry Estate for some liquor tasting before making your way along undulating gravel roads, wheat fields, and sun-kissed canola fields in bloom from the start of July, up until mid-October.
En-route to L’Agulhas – the southern-most point in Africa – make a de-tour into Bredasdorp for a quick dip in the Breede River, before refilling your water bottles and replenishing your supplies. Take caution on the tarred road between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai and stay in single-file.
Once through Struisbaai, stop for a mandatory selfie at the South-ern-most point of Africa, which is also where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet. Refuel with the local food and get some well-deserved rest.
L’Agulhas to Napier
This section of the Overberg Meander is made up pre-dominantly of gravel roads, periodically broken up by a few, short sections of tarred roads. The lovely little town of Elim – which was first established as a Moravian Mission Station in 1824 - is a logical halfway stop for replen-ishing your supplies.
Make sure you stop off at one of the wine estates along the Elim Wine Route. The route is made up of six wineries - Zoetendal Winery, Quoin Rock, The Berrio, Black Oystercatcher Strandveld Vineyards, home of First Sighting wines and Lomond – and they boast some delicious red, white and rosé wines.
Turning onto Elim road, you will encounter the first “climbs” of the day, surrounded by stretches of unspoilt fynbos (natural shrub land), before rolling past wheat and barley fields into the town of Napier – your home for the evening.
Napier to Tesselaarsdal
Depart Napier in a westerly direction, making sure to keep an eye out for the turnoff to Sandy’s Glen, which is roughly 11km out of town on the R316. A sharp left off the tarred road leads to an immediate climb into the fynbos strewn mountains of the Cape Overberg.
This 80km ride is made up of detours and possible options for you to cycle. Although not officially part of the Overberg Meander, Stanford is too good of an opportunity to pass up, with craft beer, wine, coffee, artisanal gin and food stops in abundance. Re-fuel your tired body be-fore climbing the short and punchy Akkedis Pass, a 7km tarred climb on the R326. Turn off the tarred road once again in a westerly direction before embarking on more climbing, which will take you up and over the road into the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and your base for the night.
Tesselaarsdal to Elgin Valley
This is arguably the toughest section of the route, but also the most scenic, taking you past award winning vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. You will have the option to detour into the bustling coastal town of Hermanus, or the second optional detour via the protected Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ending up in the pictur-esque valley of Elgin.
Ensure that you are well rested before you take on the rough and cor-rugated Highlands road climb, which will reward you with panoramic vistas extending over the Cape Whale Coast, as well as the Groenland-berg mountains.
Stop off at the iconic Peregrine Farm Stall and reward yourself with
a freshly baked pie and artisanal coffee or fresh pressed apple juice, before crossing the N2 highway on your way to the Elgin Railway Mar-ket that takes places every Saturday and also where you will end your Overberg Meander journey.
Ensure that you are well rested before you take on the rough and cor-rugated Highlands road climb, which will reward you with panoramic vistas extending over the Cape Whale Coast, as well as the Groenland-berg mountains.
For more information visit Cape Cycle Routes