Nestled between the Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route, the Cape Overberg is a place of unsurpassed beauty, fondly referred to the ‘breadbasket of the Cape’ due to its bountiful harvests of wheat and fruit. Curated by Cape Cycle Routes, The Overberg Meander is an exploration of a region that is a playground for those seeking adventure and the great outdoors. Gentle hills, quaint towns and warm and friendly people can be found along the winding roads of the Overberg Meander. As you pedal from one breathtaking landscape to the next, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on golden wheat fields, green grass, bountiful orchards and a deep ocean blue.
Made up of towns such as Swellendam, Cape Agulhas, Elim, Hermanus and Grabouw, the Cape Overberg boasts a landscape that is dominated by gentle, undulating hills, deep, green grass and golden wheat fields enclosed by the ocean and foreboding mountain ranges, making for great adventure activities.
Pedal through the rolling hills of the Swellendam Valley with the Langeberg Mountains as your backdrop, as you arrive at the southern-most tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas as you embark on your Overberg Meander journey. Stop over at the historic town of Elim – a former Moravian Mission station – and sample the unique vintages of the Elim Wine Route, the southern-most wine route in South Africa. Discover the quaint, idyllic village of Stanford, a quiet town that despite its size punches well above its weight in the production of craft beer and artisanal gin and produce. Cruise into – and through – the aptly-named Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (Heaven on Earth), before finishing your journey in Elgin Valley, a gem of the Cape Overberg – an adventure traveler’s dream, with some of the most epic mountain biking trails; with wine thrown in for good measure.
This is more than a cycling route, it is a journey of self-discovery and one that will open your eyes to a beauty you never thought possible. The Cape Overberg is a place of great beauty, warmth and depth of personality and the Overberg Meander will ensure you are immersed in it all.
**ROUTE UPDATE: In November 2024 the route was upgraded with a new bridge constructed over the railway line to provide a safer and more scenic route between the Elgin Railway market and the route start /end at Trail’s End Bike Hotel. **
MUST KNOW & TRAIL NOTES.
- Skill level. Riding on a mix of tarred and gravel roads.
- Climate: The Overberg region is known for temperate weather with wet winters (June – August) and glorious, hot summers (Dec-Feb) The autumn and spring months are perfect for cycling – not too hot, not too cold. In winter, snow can be expected on mountain-tops and higher lying inland areas. August-October is also prime whale watching season on the coast.
- Lodging & Camping: There are a range of accommodation options in the region. See the map for suggestions.
- Group size: Keep your group small (up to 8 people) to make it easier to get bookings at campsites, restaurants, guest houses etc
- Trail head. The route starts in the wonderful historic town of Swellendam. A true nature lovers paradise with plethora of MTB trails and outdoor activities to enjoy. The route can also be cycled in reverse.
- Water & Food. Take lots of water, especially when cycling through the more remote sections of the route. Food and supplies can be found at various shops and restaurants along the route, but stock up for the longer sections.
- Gear. Take warm clothes for the evenings and sun protection for the day. A loose long sleeve cotton top is a good way to keep the sun off in summer. Temperatures drop abruptly at night and can be cold even during summer.
- Navigation. Take a good printed map showing the area in detail. There is not always mobile reception so you can’t rely on GPS navigation.
- Road Conditions. You will be riding primarily on roads with no bike lanes and car and truck traffic. You should be comfortable riding in some amount of traffic. Please ride responsibly and stay alert. The off-road trails are predominantly jeep tracks.
DOWNLOAD GPX DOWNLOAD SEE THE CAPE CYCLE ROUTES MAP
Terms of Use: As with each route guide published on BICYCLESOUTH.co.za, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather and road conditions. Always ride responsibly. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. Bicycle South, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
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Hi I would like to ride the Overberg Meander. Where can I download the route?
You can download the route here – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29029593