Cape Winelands Cycling holiday is a 5 day carefree, self-guided cycling tour to discover the area around Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Somerset West in style. This area is regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa, with distinctive and spectacular countryside, world class wine estates and cuisine. Your cycling holiday in the Cape Winelands includes four days of easy to moderate cycling. The route follows quiet roads, where possible. The daily distance is between 35/45 km (about 3/4 hours cycling).
This is an opportunity to experience the Cape’s finest wines while discovering the natural beauty of the Cape Winelands countryside, Wine Estates and historic towns.
Sample renowned wines straight from the cellar and dine in some world class restaurants. Enjoy excellent accommodation, making this a trip to remember. Your cycling adventure begins in the historic town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. From Franschhoek over Helshoogte to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa.
Explore the Jonkershoek Valley and Nature Reserve, as well as estates in the Blaauwklippen Valley. The final destination is Somerset West where the historic Vergelegen- and Lourensford Estates will provide some of the highlights.
Cycling in the Cape Winelands is recommended at any time from spring to autumn. Summer days can be hot. The cycling holiday in the Cape Winelands includes five nights accommodation in four or five star Guesthouses/ hotels, five breakfasts, baggage transfer, welcome meeting on arrival, a comprehensive information pack with directions, detailed maps and suggestions of places to eat, things to do and local detail not accessible to passing visitors.
Mountains
Hottentots Holland- , Helderberg, Stellenbosch- and Franschhoek mountains.
Nature reserve
Experience the cycling trails in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Views
Franschhoek Valley, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Somerset West, False Bay, including Cape Point, Stellenbosch & the Cape Peninsula
Wine Estates
Arguably some of the most beautiful wine estates in the world- Grande Provence, Rupert Wines, Delaire Graf, Tokara, Lanzerac, Vergelegen, Lourensford, etc.
Stay at 4 or 5 star hotels or guesthouses with prize winning restaurants. Enjoy South Africa’s second oldest town, Stellenbosch, and explore Franschhoek's interesting French connection.
The Cape Winelands cycling adventure begins in Franschhoek – 70 km from Cape Town International Airport. Enjoy the village and interesting cafes and shops. Our local partner will meet you at your hotel in the evening for a brief welcoming meeting.
Overnight: Franschhoek Hotel/Guesthouse. There are a number of restaurants for Dinner- world class cuisine and wines.
You will ride through vineyards and country roads including the Berg River Dam and a section of its catchment area. You can visit a range of interesting places, wineries and places to eat such as La Brie, Holden Manz, the Huguenot Monument and Museum.
Overnight: Franschhoek Hotel/Guesthouse – A variety of restaurants for dinner- world class cuisine and wines.
Distance: 35-40 km (Whole day)
On your way from Franschhoek to Stellenbosch you can visit wine estates such as Mont Rochelle, Grande Provence, La Motte, Antonij Rupert Wines and the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Boschendal, Zorgvliet, Tokara and Delaire Graff Estate -14th best wine tourism destination in the world. More details in your route guide. Stellenbosch was the first area in South Africa to establish a “Wine Route” in the early seventies and offers some very special estates for wine tasting.
Overnight: Stellenbosch Hotel/Guesthouse – A variety of restaurants for dinner and wine. The accommodation is ideally located in the heart of the town’s historic centre. Explore the town.
Distance: 35-40 km (Whole day)
The Jonkershoek reserve offers a number of cycling routes over mountainous terrain, with spectacular scenery. Visit the Postcard Cafe before heading off to Blaauwklippen Valley with estates like Dornier, Mont Marie and Waterford. End the day at the exclusive winery of Peter Falke, nestled against the majestic slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands.
Distance: 50-75 km (Whole day; The distance can be increased depending on options chosen in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve)
Visit estates such as Somerbosch, Eikendal, Avontuur, Vergelegen, Morgenster and end the day at Lourensford Wine Estate.
Dinner and overnight: Somerset West, near prestigious wine estates in a wonderful relaxed setting.
Distance: 40 km (Whole day)
Depart or stay an extra night.
The tour can by extended by an extra night in Somerset West or a hiking activity in Franschhoek before departing on the cycling trip. You will experience the remarkable fynbos-rich Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - abundant with a dazzling variety of birdlife – at the top of the Franschhoek Pass.
A field guide will give background about the Nature reserve and the environment. From the heights you will have breathtaking views of the valley- as far as Table Mountain on a clear day. From the Nature Reserve follow the Cats Path down to the centre of the town of Franschhoek. The path is of historic value and was built during the period 1819 – 1825 for the wagons to cross the mountain to the Overberg.
After lunch and a wine tasting in the middle of the day, enjoy a visit of the historic town.
Distance: 10 km (Whole day)
The published rate is an indicative price. It will be confirmed on request. The following pricing factors will be considered: standard or superior accommodation, room sharing or single, group size, extra nights, transfers, bicycle rent, guiding and other services. A minimum of 2 people per group. Twenty percent deposit and the balance 6 weeks before trip.
The following items are included:
Cost for bike rentals is excluded.
Yes. Navigation is straightforward with the recommended mobile app which has a map, trail summary and navigation functionality. Simply follow our Wikiloc installation instructions which will be provided with your Trip Information pack. Download the country map for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you’ll find your way. Local towns are usually signposted. Sections of the trail can be featureless and without directions but you will have electronic support.
We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of you having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.
Can be considered if vacancy exists. If you require a single room, a single supplement will be quoted.
You will need a good quality mountain bike and your normal mountain biking gear for a day ride with perhaps some extra warm layers if the weather is cold. Your Trip information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear.
The itinerary is designed to be enjoyable for a regular rider. If you currently don’t enjoy that level of fitness, then regular mountain biking supplemented by cardiovascular exercise for at least six months before your trip is recommended. Keep in mind the daily distances and changes in elevation in your daily itinerary. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
You can use local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop. Contact your Route Manager for advice and assistance.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your Trip Information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Travel insurance is compulsory. It is required to cover cancellations, personal effects, personal accidents, medical and emergency travel expenses.
Our bookings are generally private groups. You can book a guide for an exclusive trip.
What to take
Wearing a helmet while cycling is mandatory and bicycles need to be equipped with basic repair kit. These items can be provided with bicycles rented via us. Bring your own if you prefer so. If you decide to bring your own, a MTB is the best choice (not a road bike or hybrid).
It is important to be comfortable when cycling. The best is to wear thin layers of clothing. Fast drying and hard-wearing synthetic fabrics are ideal as a base layer. These allow your skin to breathe and wick the moisture away from your skin to the next layer, avoiding the chill which cotton T-shirts can cause. A thin fleece or sweatshirt is ideal as the next layer. Also take a lightweight waterproof jacket (breathable and windproof material is best). Sport shoes are fine for cycling and for when you stop off to visit places on foot. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic box (for transporting lunches), first-aid kit, camera and an extra plastic bag for litter.


