If you find yourself on the Garden Route this December holiday, make sure there’s sealant in your tyres because Prince Alfred’s Pass is waiting to be ridden. 

Built by Thomas Bain using convict labour and officially opened in 1868, it snakes through the Knysna Forest and over the Outeniqua Mountains to the village of Avontuur, close to Uniondale. At 68.5km, it’s the longest publicly accessible mountain pass in South Africa, and an absolute marvel of creativity and engineering.

It’s also a dream to ride – if you don’t mind a bit of climbing… 

If you were to ride all the way from Knysna to Avontuur and back, you’d cover 158km and climb 3 930m, almost all of it on gravel. Fine for Matt Beers; but mere mortals can drive to the Diepwalle forestry station, park at the Big Tree just off the road and ride to the hamlet of De Vlugt and back, which is a 70km ride with about 1 400m of climbing. Or do as we did, and access Prince Alfred’s Pass via Paardekloof Pass from Plett, turning back at De Vlugt (115km return, 2 187m ascent). 

You can also start and end in De Vlugt – it’s 20km from Avontuur, and that northern section of the pass is probably the most spectacular. De Vlugt to Avontuur and back is about a 40km ride with close to 1 000m of climbing.

“You’ll experience winding roads through indigenous forest, clear mountain streams, sun slanting through plantations, and views that open up into next week.”

On any of these routes you’ll experience winding roads through indigenous forest, clear mountain streams, sun slanting through plantations, and views that open up into next week. The surface can get a bit boggy after rain but it’s usually in pretty good nick, and definitely gravel-bike friendly. Note that there are lots of narrow bits and blind corners, so be vigilant about traffic when you approach those sections. 

The whole of Prince Alfred’s Pass is amazing; it doesn’t really matter how you tackle it or which sections you choose to ride. The only important thing is to stop in De Vlugt. It’s a hidden gem of a place, tucked away on the banks of the Keurbooms River with a scattering of houses (including the house Bain built for his family while he was working on the pass) and a farmstall or three. 

Order a hunk of carrot cake and a plunger of coffee at Die Plaaskind Padstal to reward yourself for all your effort – and to fuel up for the return journey. You’re going to need it! 

THE DETAILS 

START/FINISH Prince Alfred’s Pass (R339) connects the N2 in the south and the R62 in the north. The turn-off is just east of Knysna, or you can access the pass from Plett via the R340. 

DISTANCE It’s up to you. The whole pass from Knysna or Plett to Avontuur and back is probably beyond the abilities of most casual riders. For a fun weekend bikepacking adventure, book accommodation in De Vlugt or Avontuur and break the ride into two days. 

ELEVATION GAIN A lot.

WHERE TO EAT IN DE VLUGT Die Plaaskind Padstal (044 050 0266); Angie’s G Spot (071 990 4736); The Deck at De Vlugt (082 565 0340). Check which places are open before you set off.

RACE IT!

The Lions Karoo to Coast MTB Challenge is an iconic race on the calendar, and has been going for 25 years. Starting in Uniondale, riders rollercoaster almost the full length of Prince Alfred’s Pass until Diepwalle, where they turn off onto forestry roads to Knysna.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all ‘downhill’. Even though you start at nearly 800m and end at the sea, the lumpy nature of the pass means that you’ll climb about 1 000m over the 95km route. 

The race is normally held in September. Visit karootocoast.com for all the details.

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