Karoo to Coast MTB Route (Closest city/ town: Uniondale)

Western Cape - Garden Route

Karoo to Coast

CLOSEST TOWN > Uniondale

TRAIL DESTINATION > Outeniqua Mountains

DISTANCE > 100km

GRADING > Difficult

OVERVIEW

The 100km Karoo to Coast Route is a no-holdsbarred one-way ride from Uniondale to Knysna, and includes the notorious Ou Wapad between Uniondale and Avontuur, as well as Prince Alfred’s Pass and Kom-se-Pad through the beautiful Gouna Forest.

On your bike

Once over Ou Wapad, you start cranking up the spectacular Prince Alfred’s Pass that winds its way from Avontuur all the way (not down!) to the coast. The views are awesome, and so is the monstrous 14km downhill to Die Vlug.

From here it’s into the granny-gear zone all the way to Buffelsnek, just over halfway, before banging down to Kom-se-Pad, Gouna Forest and, finally, Knysna.

Off the bike

Hiking, stacks of MTB trails and why not scuba in search of the elusive Knysna Lagoon seahorse?

CONTACT:

Website: www.karootocoast.com

Tel: +27 82 851 3622

Website: www.mkc.co.za

Tel: +27 44 752 3140

For local MTB info: contact Knysna Cycle Works

Tel: +27 44 382 5153

GPS: 33°38’35.9”S 23°08’19.3”E

Weather:

Light rain 16 ^oC
Humidity: 100%
Wind: E at 9 mph

Mon	16 ⇒ 20 ^oC	» Thunderstorm «
Tue	15 ⇒ 22 ^oC	» Chance of Showers «
Wed	15 ⇒ 24 ^oC	» Chance of Storm «

FAST FACTS

GRADING:

Difficult

DURATION:

4–8 hours

CONFIGURATION :

One-way – 100km

START POINT:

Uniondale

TERRAIN:

Gravel and forestry roads

MAP:

Ou Wapad from Uniondale Tourism; K2C route on website

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Permits payable at Uniondale Tourism, Ou Wapad, tel: +27 44 752 1266, or Knysna Forestry Deptartment, Kom-se-Pad, Gouna Forest, tel: +27 44 382 5466

FACILITIES:

Shop, ablutions at Die Vlug

BEWARE OF:

Extreme temperatures; sense of humour failure

HOW TO GET THERE

Follow the N9 from George; Uniondale is en route to Graaff-Reinet.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

The race is in September, but you can ride the route any time.