Karoo GravelGrinder

The town of Prince Albert is at the southern edge of the Great Karoo. Prince Albert is undoubtedly South Africa's most attractive Karoo Town and lies at the foot of the iconic gravel Swartberg Pass, built by Thomas Bain in 1888, it has remained in it's original form for over 140 years.

The rider experience

• It's a 3 day, social ride of 55 to 65km per day with fully stocked water-stops halfway.
• No pressure to ride full distance, support vehicles assist you along the way.
• e-Bikes are welcome and recommended for the occasional cyclist.
• Sweep Rider and bus brings up the rear.​
• Medic and Ambulance service on duty for duration of the tour.
• ​3 nights in a luxury B&B
• Dinner at a different restaurant each night, a fantastic selection of wines included.
• Non-Rider companions have their own tour of attractions in the area.
• Afternoons are free for activities of choice in the town.
• Arrive the evening of the first night, briefing before dinner​

​For the duration of the tour you are based in Prince Albert at a luxury bed and breakfast. The picturesque town of Prince Albert is known as the "Jewel of the Great Karoo" and lies at the foot of the iconic Swartberg Pass. There's lots to do and see in the town after you've stretched your legs on the bike in the morning. 

The routes vary from day to day with differing terrain. You will traverse the iconic Swartberg Pass, ride across the plains of the Great Karoo and experience the farmlands on the southern and northern foothills of the Swartberg Range. It's a real Karoo experience incorporating both the Klein and Groot Karoo.Water stops are always fully stocked and provided at the halfway markThe scenery is always spectacular whether you are climbing 12% inclines in the mountains or cruising the flats out in the desert.

The day's ride ends with lunch at a carefully chosen restaurant. Afternoons can be spent exploring the town and its attractions like Gay's working dairy or the Art collection at the Prince Albert Gallery, Wine Farms, Olive farms and virgin oil presses or just relax at the numerous antique and coffee shops. A nice afternoon nap is another option.Evenings are spent socialising and enjoying local cuisine at African Relish, Simply Saffron and other restaurants in the town.
​If you have any specific dietary requirements, our restaurants and caterers are fully equipped to cater to all your needs.
Late night entertainment isn't a big thing in a Karoo town, but you can venture out of town on a moonless night and do a bit of stargazing. Watching the sunset over the town before dinner from the nearest koppie is always a pleasant outing

The Prince Albert routes

We have a route for each of the 3 days that is the most spectacular riding in the area.
To maximise the experience we transport you out on some mornings so that you can experience a greater diversity of nature and terrain within the 65km cycling limit we have set for each day. Total distance: 182 Km with 2659 m of ascent over 3 days.

KGG Day One

Two Parts totalling 63.3 km and 1340 m of ascent
We load you and your bike in the early morning and bus you down to De Rust. The route then starts beyond the town of De Rust on the gravel Oudemuragie road. This road is remote and meanders through spectacular farmlands and the southern foothills of the great Swartberg mountain range.
Your "tea-time" waterpoint after the first 31.5km is at the junction to the Cango Caves road, where we load your bike again and whisk you off to the base of Swartberg Pass on the southern side.

Day One Part One - Oudemuragie

31.5 km - 595 m of ascent

The Swartberg Pass is a spectacular climb and is fairly tough, but achievable for the average rider.
It's basically 9.8km up and then 22 km down to Prince Albert, an unforgettable experience and well worth any discomfort you experience on the climb.

Day One Part Two - Swartberg Pass

31.8 km 745 m of ascent

KGG Day Two

Up early, good coffee and rusks, then a scenic 36km along the northern foothills to Weltevrede Fig Farm where breakfast awaits you. It's a passage back in time, no cell reception, no electricity, gravity fed water to irrigate the farms, an isolated beautiful place, removed from the bustle of the world beyond.64 km 775m of Ascent

You can spend more time on the farm and go back in the bus, or twiddle the 27 km back on your bike, making it a 63km day.

KGG Day Three

A downhill desert run of around 55 km, almost no uphills whatsover, desolate Karoo plateau's with the Swartberg range as the backdrop. A minor descent down Tierberg pass, if you lucky you will see, horses, sheep, cattle, eland, giraffe, sable antelope, klipspringers, kudu and springbok. You will definitely see windmills, game fences and thorn trees.55 km - 239 m of ascent , 544 m of descent

The non-rider companion experience

Your routine for the three days is similar to the riders, but instead of riding, you have a glorious time discovering the hidden secrets and delicacies in the town and surrounding countryside. After breakfast, your adventure begins with the morning's activities and entertainment.

If you're not interested in the specific tour of the day, you can do your own thing or opt to take your own transport out on the route and cheer them on etc. We will give you the GPS track to follow and direct you to the best vantage points.
​
​Whatever you decide, there is plenty to do in and around Prince Albert