Discover Prince Albert’s Karoo Splendour
Nestled at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains in the Western Cape, Prince Albert is a radiant gem of the Great Karoo, where history, rugged beauty, and timeless tranquility intertwine. Founded in 1762, this charming village exudes an old-world allure, its streets lined with impeccably preserved Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Karoo-style buildings. Shaded by ancient fig trees and framed by stark desert vistas, Prince Albert feels like a sanctuary suspended in time, where the slow rhythm of life invites you to pause and breathe.
The surrounding landscape is a testament to the Karoo’s raw, untamed spirit. Vast plains stretch toward the horizon, dotted with hardy succulents and the iconic windmills that punctuate this arid paradise. Olive groves and fruit orchards thrive in the fertile valley, yielding apricots, peaches, and almonds that define the region’s culinary soul. Above it all looms the Swartberg Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its rugged cliffs and serpentine paths a dramatic gateway to the wild.
Cycling here is nothing short of transformative, and on Day One, we conquer the legendary Swartberg Pass—a thrilling ascent over its notorious, untamed slopes, where every pedal stroke reveals jaw-dropping views of craggy peaks and plunging valleys. The pass’s gravel roads, carved by hand in the 1880s, pulse with history and challenge, rewarding riders with a sense of triumph as they crest its summit. Beyond the pass, the Prince Albert countryside unfurls in a cyclist’s paradise—quiet, winding roads thread through open veld, where the air carries the scent of wild rosemary and the distant bleat of Karoo lambs. Pedal past historic farmsteads, their whitewashed walls glowing under endless blue skies, and marvel at the vivid sunsets that paint the mountains in hues of fire and rose.
This is the Karoo at its most enchanting—a place where the land’s stark beauty and the camaraderie of the ride stir the soul. Cycling through Prince Albert’s untamed heart, with the Swartberg Pass as your initiation, is an adventure that lingers long after the wheels stop turning. Ride here, and let the Karoo’s wild embrace claim you.
The surrounding landscape is a testament to the Karoo’s raw, untamed spirit. Vast plains stretch toward the horizon, dotted with hardy succulents and the iconic windmills that punctuate this arid paradise. Olive groves and fruit orchards thrive in the fertile valley, yielding apricots, peaches, and almonds that define the region’s culinary soul. Above it all looms the Swartberg Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its rugged cliffs and serpentine paths a dramatic gateway to the wild.
Cycling here is nothing short of transformative, and on Day One, we conquer the legendary Swartberg Pass—a thrilling ascent over its notorious, untamed slopes, where every pedal stroke reveals jaw-dropping views of craggy peaks and plunging valleys. The pass’s gravel roads, carved by hand in the 1880s, pulse with history and challenge, rewarding riders with a sense of triumph as they crest its summit. Beyond the pass, the Prince Albert countryside unfurls in a cyclist’s paradise—quiet, winding roads thread through open veld, where the air carries the scent of wild rosemary and the distant bleat of Karoo lambs. Pedal past historic farmsteads, their whitewashed walls glowing under endless blue skies, and marvel at the vivid sunsets that paint the mountains in hues of fire and rose.
This is the Karoo at its most enchanting—a place where the land’s stark beauty and the camaraderie of the ride stir the soul. Cycling through Prince Albert’s untamed heart, with the Swartberg Pass as your initiation, is an adventure that lingers long after the wheels stop turning. Ride here, and let the Karoo’s wild embrace claim you.
The rider experience
- It's a 3 day, social ride of 55 to 65km per day with fully stocked water-stops halfway.
- No pressure to ride full distance, support vehicles assist you along the way.
- e-Bikes are welcome and recommended for the occasional cyclist.
- Sweep Rider and bus brings up the rear.
- Medic and Ambulance service on duty for duration of the tour.
- 3 nights in a luxury B&B
- Dinner at a different restaurant each night, a fantastic selection of wines included.
- Non-Rider companions have their own tour of attractions in the area.
- Afternoons are free for activities of choice in the town.
- Arrive the evening of the first night, briefing before dinner
For the duration of the tour you are based in Prince Albert at a luxury bed and breakfast. The picturesque town of Prince Albert is known as the "Jewel of the Great Karoo" and lies at the foot of the iconic Swartberg Pass. There's lots to do and see in the town after you've stretched your legs on the bike in the morning. The daily routine is typically as follows:
The routes vary from day to day with differing terrain. You will traverse the iconic Swartberg Pass, ride across the plains of the Great Karoo and experience the farmlands on the southern and northern foothills of the Swartberg Range. It's a real Karoo experience incorporating both the Klein and Groot Karoo.
Water stops are always fully stocked and provided at the halfway mark
The scenery is always spectacular whether you are climbing 12% inclines in the mountains or cruising the flats out in the desert.
The day's ride ends with lunch at a carefully chosen restaurant.
Afternoons can be spent exploring the town and its attractions like Gay's working dairy or the Art collection at the Prince Albert Gallery, Wine Farms, Olive farms and virgin oil presses or just relax at the numerous antique and coffee shops. A nice afternoon nap is another option.
Evenings are spent socialising and enjoying local cuisine at African Relish, Simply Saffron and other restaurants in the town.
If you have any specific dietary requirements, our restaurants and caterers are fully equipped to cater to all your needs.
If you have any specific dietary requirements, our restaurants and caterers are fully equipped to cater to all your needs.
Late night entertainment isn't a big thing in a Karoo town, but you can venture out of town on a moonless night and do a bit of stargazing. Watching the sunset over the town before dinner from the nearest koppie is always a pleasant outing.
The Prince Albert routes
We have a route for each of the 3 days that is the most spectacular riding in the area.
To maximise the experience we transport you out on some mornings so that you can experience a greater diversity of nature and terrain within the 65km cycling limit we have set for each day. Total distance: 182 Km with 2659 m of ascent over 3 days.
To maximise the experience we transport you out on some mornings so that you can experience a greater diversity of nature and terrain within the 65km cycling limit we have set for each day. Total distance: 182 Km with 2659 m of ascent over 3 days.
KGG Day One
Two Parts totalling 63.3 km and 1340 m of ascent
We load you and your bike in the early morning and bus you down to De Rust. The route then starts beyond the town of De Rust on the gravel Oudemuragie road. This road is remote and meanders through spectacular farmlands and the southern foothills of the great Swartberg mountain range.
Your "tea-time" waterpoint after the first 31.5km is at the junction to the Cango Caves road, where we load your bike again and whisk you off to the base of Swartberg Pass on the southern side.
We load you and your bike in the early morning and bus you down to De Rust. The route then starts beyond the town of De Rust on the gravel Oudemuragie road. This road is remote and meanders through spectacular farmlands and the southern foothills of the great Swartberg mountain range.
Your "tea-time" waterpoint after the first 31.5km is at the junction to the Cango Caves road, where we load your bike again and whisk you off to the base of Swartberg Pass on the southern side.
Day One Part One - Oudemuragie
31.5 km - 595 m of ascent
The Swartberg Pass is a spectacular climb and is fairly tough, but achievable for the average rider.
It's basically 9.8km up and then 22 km down to Prince Albert, an unforgettable experience and well worth any discomfort you experience on the climb.
It's basically 9.8km up and then 22 km down to Prince Albert, an unforgettable experience and well worth any discomfort you experience on the climb.
Day One Part Two - Swartberg Pass
31.8 km 745 m of ascent
KGG Day Two
Up early, good coffee and rusks, then a scenic 36km along the northern foothills to Weltevrede Fig Farm where breakfast awaits you. It's a passage back in time, no cell reception, no electricity, gravity fed water to irrigate the farms, an isolated beautiful place, removed from the bustle of the world beyond.
64 km 775m of Ascent
You can spend more time on the farm and go back in the bus, or twiddle the 27 km back on your bike, making it a 63km day.
KGG Day Three
A downhill desert run of around 55 km, almost no uphills whatsover, desolate Karoo plateau's with the Swartberg range as the backdrop. A minor descent down Tierberg pass, if you lucky you will see, horses, sheep, cattle, eland, giraffe, sable antelope, klipspringers, kudu and springbok. You will definitely see windmills, game fences and thorn trees.
55 km - 239 m of ascent , 544 m of descent
The non-rider companion experience
Your routine for the three days is similar to the riders, but instead of riding, you have a glorious time discovering the hidden secrets and delicacies in the town and surrounding countryside. After breakfast, your adventure begins with the morning's activities and entertainment.
If you're not interested in the specific tour of the day, you can do your own thing or opt to take your own transport out on the route and cheer them on etc. We will give you the GPS track to follow and direct you to the best vantage points.
Whatever you decide, there is plenty to do in and around Prince Albert.
We do change the activities from time to time, but a typical weekend itinerary would have the following options each day:
If you're not interested in the specific tour of the day, you can do your own thing or opt to take your own transport out on the route and cheer them on etc. We will give you the GPS track to follow and direct you to the best vantage points.
Whatever you decide, there is plenty to do in and around Prince Albert.
We do change the activities from time to time, but a typical weekend itinerary would have the following options each day:
Day One:
Cooking class at Yellow House
with the idea of enjoying your dishes at lunchtime, Petro serves breakfast and explains what the morning class will entail. Depending on the season, she will present a foraging experience and cooking class. Enjoy lunch with what you have cooked, after which the cyclists can be joined.
What to bring:
Sunhat, water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, basket or shopping bag for goodies.
Day Two:
Generally we go to Weltevrede Fig Farm (a 6th generation and one of the oldest fig farms in South Africa) for morning tea. They mainly produce Adams figs and have a shop where they serve their famous fig tart and sell beautiful leather goods, other house ware (custom made prints in the famous delft look) and also their farm produce. There we will meet the cyclists and taste other local produce eg. local olives & olive oil, Gay's Dairy cheeses, Lazy Lizard breads, locally produced jams, etc. Other activities are available as follows:
Day Three:
You can enjoy a guided nature walk with breathtaking views of the town and farms along the Koppie behind Prince Albert with Sue Dean from Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration www.renu-karoo.co.za. Ending at the Lazy Lizard for breakfast or a delicious refreshment and homemade cake selection.
Sue Dean is a Karoo Specialist and focuses on ecological consulting, veld rehabilitation, game introduction and impact assessment
These guided walks are weather permitting, and if not available, then breakfast is served at the Lazy Lizard, after which you will have time to explore the shops in Prince Albert, while the riders go on their final morning ride.
Cooking class at Yellow House
with the idea of enjoying your dishes at lunchtime, Petro serves breakfast and explains what the morning class will entail. Depending on the season, she will present a foraging experience and cooking class. Enjoy lunch with what you have cooked, after which the cyclists can be joined.
What to bring:
Sunhat, water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, basket or shopping bag for goodies.
Day Two:
Generally we go to Weltevrede Fig Farm (a 6th generation and one of the oldest fig farms in South Africa) for morning tea. They mainly produce Adams figs and have a shop where they serve their famous fig tart and sell beautiful leather goods, other house ware (custom made prints in the famous delft look) and also their farm produce. There we will meet the cyclists and taste other local produce eg. local olives & olive oil, Gay's Dairy cheeses, Lazy Lizard breads, locally produced jams, etc. Other activities are available as follows:
- If you're energetic join the Prince Albert Park run early Saturday before the market (5 km scenic run or walk)
- Saturday market (08.00-12.00) selling locally grown and homemade products
- Our local Fransie Pienaar Museum
- Prince Albert Gallery (variety of paintings and sculptures by local South African artists).
- Karoo Looms (hand spun and handwoven rugs and homeware)
- The Letterhuis is situated on the farm Aswater in the Prince Albert district (about 25km's out of town, and you would need your own transport). It is owned by renowned calligrapher Heleen de Haas. Join her on a guided hand carved stone route; calligraphic route in the poplar wood; her word labyrinth or a show & demo on traditional and contemporary calligraphy.
- Prince of Africa for mohair products and jewellery by local jeweller Di van der Riet Steyn
- Cinnamon & Grace for home ware and jewellery by Talita, also a local jeweller
- Gays Dairy where you can taste and buy her wide range of locally produced cheeses from her Guernsey herd. http://www.gaysguernseydairy.com/
Day Three:
You can enjoy a guided nature walk with breathtaking views of the town and farms along the Koppie behind Prince Albert with Sue Dean from Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration www.renu-karoo.co.za. Ending at the Lazy Lizard for breakfast or a delicious refreshment and homemade cake selection.
Sue Dean is a Karoo Specialist and focuses on ecological consulting, veld rehabilitation, game introduction and impact assessment
These guided walks are weather permitting, and if not available, then breakfast is served at the Lazy Lizard, after which you will have time to explore the shops in Prince Albert, while the riders go on their final morning ride.
Directions, Bike Transport and Airport Transfers to Prince Albert, Western Cape
|
You can either drive to Prince Albert or fly in to George Airport and transport will be arranged.
Nearest Airports with regular flights: George Airport - 170 km Cape Town International - 390 km Port Elizabeth - 420 km We provide an airport transfer service from George Airport and return with baggage. (Bike included.) We prefer you to book flights that land at George Airport no later than 14:00, given that you need time for the transfer, check in and settling in before dinner on the opening evening. Return flights should be booked no earlier than a 17:00 departure on the last day. Professional bike transport can be provided by BCycle Transport from Gauteng, Bloemfontein, Klerksdorp/Potch, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Middelburg and Witbank. Contact Wynand (- for Bike Transport) e-Mail : [email protected] Cell: 082 334 4274 |
|
