EXCITING 2025 !!

SAMPLE SOME 2026 CAPE EPIC ROUTE AT THE 2025 MONTAGU GRAVEL & GRIT FESTIVAL

Get ready to ride wild and free through the heart of the Klein Karoo!

The 2025 Montagu Gravel & Grit Festival returns on Saturday 8 November,

bringing with it a once-a-year chance to traverse some of the most remote, rugged,

and awe-inspiring terrain in the Western Cape  -including sections of the

2026 ABSA Cape Epic Stages 1 & 2 for the 105km MTB event.

MONTAGU has it all in terms of outdoor activities, the gateway to the Klein Karoo and also it is here where the Klein Karoo Gravel Corridor starts.  This makes Montagu the heartbeat of outdoor adventures.

Makadas Adventures in cooperation with MATA (Montagu-Ashton Tourism Association), Flying Feet & Glen Eden Guest Farm bring you a fun filled weekend in the great outdoors.  Gravel cycling, Mountain biking, Night Hike and Trail Running are some of the activities of the weekend.

Then there are activities for the kiddies, wine tasting for the non-riders, lots to drink and eat. Saturday night party with the Lucky Draw Prize giving.

WHERE  |  HOW  |  WHAT

Food & Beverages available at Glen Eden

Friday

Food served all day up till midnight at the Farm’s licensed bar.  Wood fired Pizzas or Burger & Chips will be available. Germin Bockwurst roll with sauerkraut & crispy onions

Beany Peanut also serves alcohol, bootlegger coffee, milkshakes, and snacks.

Saturday

Danishes & pancakes are available with coffee/tea from 5 am, before the race starts.  Chicken, Vegetable or beef potjie with rice.  Pizzas and burgers will also be available.  From 5 pm there will be Live Music at the Glen Eden Bar and pizzeria.  Book your meal directly at Glen Eden: 071 100 2782 or mail glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com.  Prize giving done Saturday eve at Glen Eden

Sunday

Danishes & pancakes with coffee or tea are available from 6am before the race starts.  Beany Peanut will be open all day serving pizzas.

Bookings done directly with Glen Eden Guest Farm: glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com or 071 100 2782

Gravel & Grit 8 November 2025

African Game Lodge  |  Ouberg Private Nature Reserve

There are only TWO distances to choose from this year as we focus on the Absa Cape Epic:

1. 105 km MTB Race:  crosses African Game Lodge
2. 62 km Fun ride:  crosses Ouberg Nature Reserve

Putting this route together has had many challenges but with help from landowners and a few seasonal gravel riders we managed to put something truly spectacular together.  Makadas Adventures, MATA & Africa Game Lodge presents a route….. that is truly out of Africa.  Magical, special, unique, and diverse are words that comes to mind.

2023 was the first year that certain sections of private land was opened to cyclists and only as a once-off for this event, it was such a hit that we got the privilege to use it once again in the 2025 event, this will only be for the 106 km route though.

PLEASE NOTE ROUTE CHANGE:  the 105 km mtb route will be done in reverse this year featuring the iconic Joubertspass & the majestic Ouberg pass, traversing through the stunning African Game lodge and and a ride through the spectacular Slagkloof trail, where the ‘Lion King Rock’ keeps silent watch.

140 km Gravel Route has been put on ice this year to focus on the 105 km route that features sections of the ABSA Cape Epic route, Stage 2 for 2026

Africa Game Lodge truly captures a bit of the essence of Africa.

You do not want to be the one that misses out on this very special opportunity.  The 105 km route features game such as: Giraffe, Gemsbok, Eland, Kudu, Zebra, and Springbok.

This year both distances start out the same way via Joubertspass,  the 105 km traverses Ouberg pass and the 62km turns off just before onto Ouberg Nature Reserve and descend via the famous Pofadder downhill.

Medals to all Finishers.

E bikes are welcome on the 105 & 62 km but only one battery is allowed, you can also rent an e bike from:  Francois @ Manic Cycles 082 413 8935

Terrain:  Choose your weapon wisely…

105 km MTB

• District Gravel Road:  49 km
• two mountain passes
• 2 km single track through the magnificent Slagkloof, where you can view the Lion King Rock
• Various sections with  Jeep track with few short sandy spots
•  1982 m ascent

62 km Brand new section

• Jeep track good condition:
• Good gravel road
• Added: Ouberg Nature Reserve
• ascent 987 m

Prize Money & Prizes:

Medals to all finishers

Prizes only on the 105 km Challenge

Water Points:

• Water points on 105 km:  27 km  Montagu Toyota / 40 km Braaibroodjie / 64 km African Game Lodge
• Water points 62 km: 27 km & 34km

Registration Times at Glen Eden Guest Farm:

• Friday: 3 to 6 pm
• Saturday:  5 am to 5:45 am  for 105  and up to 6:30 am for 62 km Fun ride

Late entries an additional R100 will be applicable

Distances:

• 62 km with 987 m ascent
• 105 km with 1982 m ascent

Start times:

• 6:00 am 105 km
• 7 am for the 62 km
• E-bikes will start 10min after each start group

Cost:

• 62 km @ R350 and R400 late entry fee (R250 for learners 18 yrs and younger)
• 105 km @ R650 & R750 late entry fee

Kapokbos Trail Run  9 November

Eriocephalus africanus L./Wild Rosemary or Kapbokbos the name was chosen for this very special shrub that grows where the run is held and you will recognize it by its sweet vanilla smell.

Terrain: hilly single track with magnificent views of the Langeberg mountain range.  This is our 3rd year hosting this event and we have improved on the 15km trail by substituting farm roads with more singletrack. This year you will have 360 degree views.  The 8km fun run is now a 5.6km run, here we also cut out unnecessary farm road and kept the single track and views.  The run is organized by Patti van Dyk, a nature guide of profession and an experienced ultra runner, with big event names such as Comrades and Two Oceans behind her name.  Patti has also tapped into trail running since a few years ago.

Medals to all Finishers!

Distances: 5.6 km

Cost:  R150 (late entries additional R50)

Start time: 7 am

Distance:  10 km

Start time:  6:45 am

Cost:  R250 (late entries additional R50)

Distance: 15 km

Cut off:  3 hours

Cost:  R350 (late entries additional R50)

Start:  6:30 am cut off: 3 hours

Prize giving for both distances:  10:30 am

Registration & Late entries:

Sunset Fun Walk  7 Nov

Gravel & Grit is excited to host the new Sunset Walk on Friday night, 7 November 2025. Participants will have the pleasure of hiking through private farms which are normally closed to the public. We will go up to the Talana Hills which promises breathtaking sunset views over the Langeberg mountains and surrounding valleys. It is a great fun event for the whole family.

Afterwards we’ll have a lekker jol at Glen Eden with music, drinks & something to eat

Come join in the fun, kicking the weekend off with a sunset walk .

Distance:  5 km

Cost: R65 includes two guides, eats and drinks available afterwards

Registration & Late entries:  3 pm to 6 pm

Start time: 6 pm for the slower walker not wanting to finish in the dark and 6:30pm for those wanting to experience the lights in the veld

Bring headlights & comfortable walking shoes

All ages welcome!

Enter here

Saturday Night Prize Giving Party

5pm on Saturday evening there will be a jol on at Glen Eden with Live music, Spitbraai, Gourmet burgers and pizzas.  This is the Prize Giving evening but also just a leka kuier with a popup Gin Bar, Loxtonia Cider on tap in partnership with Van Loveren & Natures Own.

It is essential to pre-book for the Spitbraai directly with Glen Eden glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com or +27 71 100 2782

Many Fantastic, Huge Lucky Draw Prizes will be drawn Saturday eve….but you have to be there in person to collect otherwise your prize might fall into someone else’s lap. See the many sponsors below making sure there is an abundance of prizes!