Cycling and mountain biking

Mountain biking in the winelands. Photo courtesy Warren Rohner

The varied topography of Cape Town, from its soaring mountains to long, flat beaches, forested slopes and challenging mountain passes, presents the keen cyclist with an array of routes to choose from. Some of the more popular cycling routes around the city include Durbanville, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Camps Bay to Hout Bay, and Ou Kaapse Weg. Cape Town is suited to both the amateur and professional cyclist, and a number of prestigious cycle races are hosted annually in South Africa’s Mother City. 

Biking challenge de luxe
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is known worldwide as one of the most scenic and challenging events on the international biking calendar. It’s also the world’s largest individually timed cycle race – and the first event outside Europe to be included in the International Cycling Union’s Golden Bike Series. The event takes place in March each year and attracts approximately 35 000 cyclists.

Giro del Capo
The Giro del Capo is a four-day stage race that takes place before the Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle race each year. The race starts in Wellington, moves on to Durbanville and Paarl, and ends with a time trial up Signal Hill. The event is by special invitation only. 

Mountain biking
The singular beauty and shaded tracks of Tokai Forest promise a technically challenging ride for amateur and experienced mountain bikers alike. Thick forest terrain and stunning views of Cape Town’s False Bay attract many bikers to the single-track route in arguably the premier mountain-biking region of South Africa. 

The Tokai route starts at the Arboretum, where a variety of tracks – gravel road, dual and single track – offers a selection of long and short courses ranging from easy to really challenging. All the routes start with an uphill climb that is offset by an exciting downhill return to base. Be on the lookout for baboons, hikers and horses.

Adventure for all
There’s a fun dirt-track biking adventure that takes bikers across the front of the majestic expanse of Table Mountain. Drive to the vehicle drop-off point at the top of the trail, which starts at the lower cable-car station. 

Fit and not so fit
Take advantage of a number of exciting off-road trails and a private road leading around Devil’s Peak. This is a great ride, suited to riders of all fitness levels and ability.

Absa Cape Epic
The eight-day www.cape-epic.com Absa Cape Epic off-road team race takes place annually at the end of March. Every year the 800km route changes to showcase a different part of scenic Cape Town and the Western Cape. 

The Cape Epic – the largest full-service mountain-bike stage race in the world and the most televised mountain-bike race of all time – lures local and international mountain-biking teams, comprising two riders each, to take on the challenge of more than 16 000m of climbs on some of the more beautiful passes South Africa has to offer. Participation is restricted to 1 200 riders (600 teams) at each event.

If you are looking for a guided tour, visit Cape Town Tourism’s database of tour operators specialising in mountain biking and cycling, who are registered with us.