Three days, 139km and just 90 riders through the Karoo's Sneeuberge — the Owl Route's ride-and-dine adventure is back for 2027, and entries are open.
Source: Ride The Owl Route
A journey of trails and tastes
Tucked into a fold of the Sneeuberge in the Eastern Cape, Nieu-Bethesda is the kind of place you go looking for on purpose. For three days in April, the dusty little village — better known for its Owl House and a single dirt road in — becomes the hub of one of South Africa's most unhurried mountain-bike adventures: the Owl Route.
Billed as "a journey of trails and tastes," this is a ride-and-dine experience rather than a stopwatch stage race. The field is deliberately small — just 90 riders — and the route threads jeep track, singletrack and long ribbons of Karoo gravel between padstal stops, pub gardens and mountain viewpoints. Mountain bikes and e-bikes are both welcome.
The three days
| Day 1 · Fri | Day 2 · Sat | Day 3 · Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 17 km | 69 km | 53 km |
| Climbing | Rolling | ~800 m | ~660 m |
| Terrain | Jeep track, singletrack, gravel & district road | Mainly gravel roads | Jeep track, singletrack, gravel & district road |
| Highlight | Suspension-bridge viewpoint and village padstal & pub stops | Sneeuberg nature reserve wildlife, then the big climb at 50 km | Circular kloof loop toward Graaff-Reinet and a champagne finish |
Specs: Ride The Owl Route
Day 1 is a gentle 17km unwind around Nieu-Bethesda, taking in the suspension-bridge viewpoint and a string of village stops — Tot Hier Toe Padstal, Aunt Evelyn's, Boetie's Pub and The Village Inn — to settle riders into Karoo time.
Day 2 is the queen stage: 69km of mostly gravel climbing toward the Sneeuberg nature reserve, with zebra, kudu and wildebeest for company and a steep sting in the tail around the 50km mark. Day 3 loops 53km through kloofs and plateaus in the direction of Graaff-Reinet before dropping back to Nieu-Bethesda for a champagne finish and a souvenir to take home.
Where it happens
Entries and packages
Entries are open through Urban Goat Events and, in keeping with the all-inclusive format, cover accommodation and meals as well as the riding. Packages start at R12,950 per rider for a shared entry with glamping, rising to R14,650 for a solo rider in a single guest-house room:
- Solo with a non-riding supporter, or a team of two — R12,950 glamping / R13,250 guest house
- Solo rider, single occupancy — R14,350 glamping / R14,650 guest house
With the field capped at 90, the Owl Route tends to fill early. You can also find it on the BikeBuy race calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the 2027 Owl Route? +
23–25 April 2027, starting and finishing in Nieu-Bethesda in the Eastern Cape Karoo, with the Sneeuberge as the backdrop.
How far is it? +
139km over three days — 17km on Day 1, 69km on Day 2 (about 800m of climbing) and 53km on Day 3 (about 660m of climbing).
Is it a race? +
No — it's billed as an all-inclusive riding and culinary experience on mountain bikes and e-bikes, capped at 90 riders, rather than a timed stage race.
How much does it cost and how do I enter? +
Entries run from R12,950 per rider (glamping or guest-house packages, solo or team of two) through Urban Goat Events, and include accommodation and meals.
