Mixed · South Africa
Around Knysna
A hilly 34 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Knysna, Western Cape through Green Pastures, Hornlee and Rykmanshoogte, with 340 m of climbing over the Green Pastures climb. Mixed surface: 76% is mapped as paved and 24% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 34 km
- Elevation gain
- 340 m
- Riding time
- 1½–2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 16 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Knysna
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 340 m
- 34 km
Route description
- Knysna
- Green Pastures climb
- Green Pastures
- Hornlee
- Rykmanshoogte
- Lower Old Place
- Costa Sarda
- Upper Central Town
- Westhill
- Knysna
This 34 km loop ride starts and finishes in Knysna. The route passes through Green Pastures at 7.7 km and Nekkies at 20.8 km, continuing through suburbs like Hornlee, Fraaisig, Rykmanshoogte, and Knysna Industrial between 21 and 23 km. It then moves past Lower and Upper Old Place, Costa Sarda, and Flenter before returning to central Knysna and nearby districts including Westhill and Knysna Heights.
The main climb begins at 7.3 km and lasts 5.2 km, gaining 251 m at an average gradient of 4.8%, with a maximum gradient of 11.6%, reaching a height of 270 m. The route’s highest point is 282 m at 17.8 km, positioned before a long descent of 5.9 km starting at 18 km that drops 264 m down to sea level at 32 km.
The surface is 76% paved with 24% gravel or unpaved sections. Road types include 42% minor roads, 32% major roads, 14% paths, 6% main roads, and 5% quiet streets. There are 12.8 km on main roads with no cycle lane and 2.8 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named roads ridden are Main Road (10.4 km), Concordia Salt River Truck (6.9 km), and Old Cape Road (4.6 km).
Food and drink can be found off-route at Firefly Eating House near 6 km and @Coffee Café at 26.3 km. Shops such as Spar supermarket, toilets, bike shop Cycoo Cycles, and a Shell petrol station are clustered around 26 to 27 km. Bailout points are available in Knysna at 26.7 km and Keytersnek at 32.9 km. There is a 15.7 km stretch without cafe, shop, or water between 6 km and 21.7 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Green Pastures climb (5.2 km at 4.8 %).
- A 5.9 km descent dropping 264 m.
Highlights
- Climb from 7.3 km to 12.5 km gains 251 m
- Highest point 282 m at 17.8 km
- Longest descent 5.9 km drops 264 m from 18 km
- Passes through Green Pastures and Nekkies
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Pastures climb | 7.3 km | 5.2 km · 251 m · 4.8 % · max 11.6 % | 5.2 km · 251 m · 4.8 % | 270 m |
Green Pastures climb · full ascent, starts at 7.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (12.8 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 42% minor road · 32% major road · 14% path · 6% main road · 6% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 12.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 2.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Main Road (10 km), Concordia Salt River Truck (7 km), Old Cape Road (5 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 76% is mapped as paved and 24% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 23% descending · 57% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.7 km over 5% · 1.4 km over 8% · 0.5 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.1% at 9.9 km
- Longest descent
- 5.9 km from 18 km, dropping 264 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, from km 6 to 22. Along the route: 32 cafés and restaurants, 13 shops, 7 petrol stations, 1 public toilet and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 6 kmFirefly Eating House · restaurant · on the route
- 26.2 kmShell · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 26.2 kmDischem · pharmacy · on the route
- 26.3 km@Coffee Café · café · 50 m off route
- 26.3 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 26.4 kmSpar · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 26.8 kmCycoo Cycles · bike shop · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 26.7 km — Knysna (station), 490 m off route
- 32.9 km — Keytersnek (station), 1.2 km off route
Worth a stop
- 26.8 km — Featherbed Tours (attraction)
Know before you go
- 15.7 km without café, shop or water from 6 km to 21.7 km
- 12.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 2.8 km on roads with 80 km/h or more limits
- 24% gravel or unpaved surface