Cape Peninsula Cycling

Cape Town is the most popular international tourist destination in Africa. It is famous for its Waterfront as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, as well as for such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Peninsula Cycling includes sections of the route taken by the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour (the world’s largest timed cycle race held in Cape Town every March). The tour follows a route around Cape Town’s peninsula from the historic V&A Waterfront to Cape Point through the southern section of the Table Mountain National Park, with superb views of mountains and the coast. Along the way there are many opportunities to stop and experience the rich culture of the Cape from local markets to seaside villages and historic sights.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the historic heart of Cape Town’s working harbour is South Africa’s most-visited destination, having the highest rate of foreign tourists of any attraction in the country. During 2013 24m people visited the Waterfront

Atlantic seaboard

Sea Point Promenade, Clifton, Camps Bay and Bantry Bay with their popular beaches, restaurants and bars.

Views

Magnificent and unequalled views of mountains, the sea and the city all the way to Cape Point. You will see Table Mountain, Robben Island, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and the Twelve Apostles.

Chapmans Peak

Challenging and spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive with sweeping views of the coast below.

Towns and villages

Hout Bay village and beach, with bike friendly cafes and harbourside market, Noordhoek and Simon’s town, with a long naval history and penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Cape Point,“Fynbos” plants and wildlife

Cape Point Nature Reserve conserves one of the world’s six floral regions. The Cape Floral Region is the smallest but richest of the world’s floral regions – no less than 9,000 species. It has been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hot spots.

Accommodation and restaurants

At least 4 star hotel and a range of restaurants and bars.

Other attractions

Complement the tour with visits to Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical garden, Robben Island, etc (Extra day)

Day 1

Arrival in Cape Town. Explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the historic heart of Cape Town’s working harbour – South Africa’s most-visited destination.

Day 2

Ride along the Atlantic seaboard promenade, past the Mouille Point Lighthouse, the Green Point Park and Cape Point Stadium through Sea Point. You will pass through upmarket Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay, with their popular beaches, restaurants and bars. Follow the base of the The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range (the back of Table Mountain), where you’ll find one of the most scenic stretches of coast in the world. Ride through Hout Bay, a beachside town with plenty of restaurants, shops and attractions. Enter the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, a 9 km mountain pass, one of Cape Town’s Top 10 tourist destinations. Wine tasting an overnight in Noordhoek village.

Distance 38 km – Whole Day.

Day 3

Transfer from Noordhoek to Cape Point via Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs and Scarborough to Cape Point Nature Reserve, which conserves the endemic Cape fynbos. Meander along the fynbos plains and to the lighthouse at Cape Point. Along the way there are plenty of places to stop to enjoy the spectacular views, fynbos and wildlife.
Visit the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre that showcases all the plants and animals to look out for. Explore the beach and the rock pools at Buffels Bay. Visit the Cape Point lighthouse viewing site, the Two Oceans Restaurant and Cape of Good Hope (Most south-western point in Africa). 

Back at the entrance gate- ride (or transfer) 12km to Simonstown- overnight

Distance 52 km (Or shorter) – Whole Day.

Day 4

Explore the coastal town Simon’s Town, which has a long naval history, as reflected by the dated gun placements. This quaint Victorian-looking town, complete with pubs, fish and chip shops and tea rooms is fascinating to explore. View the Harbour, visit the museum and the famous penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Day 5 (optional)

Book an extra day(s) to visit other attractions in Cape Town such as Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch and Robben Island -World Heritage Site and museum.

You will stay at some of Cape Town’s finest hotels and guesthouses and visit restaurants serving mouth watering international cuisine. We have selected a panel of establishments, offering differences in character. Our choice for your holiday is subject to availability. Non availability may result in a rate amendment. Examples of our hotels:

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Rates

Rates for Cape Peninsula Cycling available on request. The Standard option will be 4 Star standard. Superior accommodation will be 5 star or a boutique hotel, if available During low season (May-September) or for more than 4 people, the holiday may be available at a reduced rate. A minimum of 2 people per group. 

Included

3 nights accommodation in selected hotels, incl breakfast

• Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail
• Personal and bike transfers on the route
• Detailed Route directions
• Detailed Route Guide
• Information about the area

Not included

• Transport to and from Cape Town, other lunches, snacks and drinks
• Entrance fees at Nature reserves and other attractions

Alternative/additional options

Your trip can be extended or amended to include additional activities. The costs of these options are not included in the Rate of the standard 5 Day trip. It is available on request.

Table Mountain: Table Mountain is one of the official New7Wonders of Nature. The view from the top of Table Mountain has been described as one of the most epic views in Africa. 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: Kirstenbosch is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004- home to more than 22 000 indigenous plants.

Robben Island: From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the rate paid for freedom.

Grading

Overall rating of Cape Peninsula Cycling is moderate. You do not need to be ultra-fit but certainly able to cycle between 36 to 55 km per day and be able to cope with some hills on mountain paths. Refer to Cycling grades ,for definition of grades.

Day 1 – Arrival; Day 2 – Moderate; Day 3 – Moderate; Day 4 – Easy

When to book Cape Peninsula Cycling

Any time of the year, but the weather is more predictable during “High season” (Oct-Apr). Reserve early to obtain the best rooms. “Low season” is a good option for local guests who are either prepared to accept weather risks or to change their plans at short notice. During low season accommodation is normally more freely available.

Climate

Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with mild, moderately wet winters and dry, warm summers. Rainfall measures up to 1 000 mm (40 inches per year)

Getting there

For international visitors: Fly to Cape Town International Airport and transfer to V&A Waterfront

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, it can be a MTB, 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.

Insurance

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Route description

Our detailed route notes and -description allow you to ride self-guided and at your own pace amid splendid scenery while we transport your luggage. As soon as we have finalised your booking we will specify your hotel schedule. (We are using different hotels/guest houses from time to time). The tailor-made Route guide include hotel details, route notes, maps and GPS references. Going self-guided is simple and convenient with our Route guide. It allows you to set out when you like, stop where you want and visit sites en route that are of interest to you. Our notes include information on monuments, places of interest along the way and suggested stops for lunch, wine tasting etc. The Route guide will be given to you on the date of your arrival. We can provide a file which can be imported to a gps or computer for navigation on a cellphone or gps device.

Availability and Booking

To enquire or reserve a date, go to: Availability request

For general information: Contact us, or

email: info@trailsandtravel.co.za, or

Booking process and -conditions – Go to  How to book

Map

View Larger Map

Gallery

For pictures of Cape Town go to Cape Town gallery. Fynbos pictures can be viewed in the Fynbos gallery

Attractions

Refer to the following links:

Reviews

Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided cycling/hiking holiday offered by Trails and Travel in South Africa “Overall, the holiday was invigorating- You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our cycling community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation” Read all  Reviews  

Cape Town- area information

Read more about the attractions of Cape Town- the most popular tourist destination in South Africa.

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