Mixed · South Africa
Around Knysna
A mountainous 21 km road cycling out-and-back route from Knysna, Western Cape through Belvidere, Belvedere Estate and Brenton, with 450 m of climbing over the Belvidere climb and the Brenton on Sea climb.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 20.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 450 m
- Riding time
- 1–1½ hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Knysna
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 450 m
- 21 km
Route description
- Knysna
- Belvidere climb
- Belvidere
- Belvedere Estate
- Brenton
- Brenton on Sea
- Brenton on Sea climb
- Knysna
Starting from Knysna, the route heads briefly on minor roads and quiet streets passing Belvidere (2.1 km) and Belvedere Estate (2.6 km). The first climb begins shortly after 0.9 km, lasting 4.1 km with an average gradient of 5.7%, reaching a high point of 236 m at 5 km. The initial half of the route has most of the climbing and reaches the highest elevation early on.
After the first descent, the route continues through Brenton (7.2 km) and Brenton on Sea (8.7 km) mostly on minor roads and a track with mostly paved surfaces (96%). The second climb starts at 10.5 km, gaining 204 m over 4.6 km and max gradients of 9.1%. From 10.5 km to the turnaround at 20.6 km there is a long stretch of 10.1 km with no cafés, shops or water sources. There is one supermarket near 10.2 km and a restaurant at 10.5 km. Bailout stations are available near Belvedere at 2.9 km and Keytersnek at 19.7 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Belvidere climb (4.1 km at 5.7 %) and the Brenton on Sea climb (4.6 km at 4.5 %).
Highlights
- Belvidere at 2.1 km
- First climb peaks at 236 m at 5 km
- Brenton on Sea at 8.7 km
- Viewpoint at Benton on Sea, 14.9 km
- Second climb from 10.5 km
- Longest descent is 4 km from 5.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvidere climb | 0.9 km | 4.1 km · 231 m · 5.7 % · max 9.6 % | 4.1 km · 231 m · 5.7 % | 236 m |
| Brenton on Sea climb | 10.5 km | 4.6 km · 204 m · 4.5 % · max 9.1 % | 4.6 km · 204 m · 4.5 % | 235 m |
Belvidere climb · full ascent, starts at 0.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Brenton on Sea climb · full ascent, starts at 10.5 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 86% minor road · 12% quiet street · 2% track
- Fast roads
- 3.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- C.R. Swart Drive (9 km), Belvedere Road (4 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 96% is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 39% climbing · 40% descending · 21% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.4 km over 5% · 1.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.4% at 3.6 km
- Longest descent
- 4 km from 5.1 km, dropping 169 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 3 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 2.4 kmOak Leaf · café · 170 m off route
- 10.2 kmSupermarket · on the route
- 10.5 kmButterfly Blu Restaurant · restaurant · 50 m off route
- 10.5 kmToilets · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 2.9 km — Belvedere (station), 120 m off route
- 19.7 km — Keytersnek (station), 1.2 km off route
Worth a stop
- 14.9 km — Benton on Sea View point (viewpoint)
Know before you go
- 10.1 km with no café, shop or water from 10.5 km to 20.6 km
- 3.6 km on roads with speed limits over 80 km/h
- A 0.5 km track section