Entries for the inaugural Garden Route Giro, a six-day, 684km journey through mountain passes, forest trails, and coastal roads from 13 to 18 April 2026, are open.
Whether racing for stage wins or chasing adventure, this is the gravel experience South Africa has been waiting for.
Starting in Mossel Bay and taking in race hubs in Riversdale, Calitzdorp, Prince Albert, De Rust, Knysna, and Wilderness, each stage finishes in a vibrant town centre brought to life with local food trucks, culture, and cuisine, and will feature iconic landmarks.
Six tough days of racing
For avid gravel racers, the route appeals with a series of passes and poorts. These provide a focus for each stage, but will also likely prove decisive in determining the overall champions after six tough days of racing too.
Climbs like the Rooiberg and Swartberg Passes are sure to shake up the general classifications on Stage 2 and 3, but long descents to Calitzdorp and Prince Albert will equally offer the opportunity to riders willing to take more risks to shut down gaps better climbers fought to establish.
Riders looking for adventure rather than targeting podium places will be able to take a moment or two more to look around, to soak up the exceptional scenery.
There will be opportunities for fast paced group riding, with each stage including asphalt road stretches too. With valley roads and the tarmac leading into and out of towns offering an opportunity to tick off kilometres with ease.
Every participant will be racing drop-bar gravel bikes and tyre choices will be key to success. Though the majority of the route takes place on well-maintained district roads there will be sections where the surface is eroded.
The steepest sections of the passes are likely to provide the most technical moments of the race, though even those will be navigable at speed on a gravel bike.
Comprehensive packages
There are ample reasons to take part in the inaugural edition, from the excitement of racing to the beauty of the route. The race will also feature a number of entry packages to simplify the off-the-bike logistics.
“The towns the Garden Route Giro visits enable us to offer a range of accommodation packages,” Henco Rademeyer, of the race organisers Dryland Event Management, stated.
“Participants register for the event on a ride-only entry, then have the option to book their own accommodation or add one of our official packages to their entry. These include a Standard Tent option in a single occupancy canvas tent, a Luxury Tent, or one of the two formal accommodation options, which boast stays in Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts.”
The ride registration package includes lunch daily, medical support, timing, live tracking, a race garment, Dryland’s famous water points, and luggage transfers, as well as an invitation to the Finishers’ Function.
“We will be staging the final award ceremony and a festive finishers’ function on Saturday, 18 April, at the Wilderness Hotel. A final night’s accommodation, in the Wilderness Hotel, is included for all participants and we are planning a party to conclude the race after the trophies are handed over.”
From dust to champagne—the Garden Route Giro ends in celebration. After six unforgettable days, the finisher’s party in Wilderness marks not just the end of a race, but the beginning of stories that will be told for years to come. Months from now, you’ll be glad you entered.
To secure a spot, visit www.gardenroutegiro.co.za.
