The 2027 Absa Cape Epic will draw a new line across the Western Cape. Stretching more than 700 kilometres from Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West to the final finish line at Imbuko Wines in Wellington, the route connects three iconic host regions, world-class trails and over 17,000 metres of climbing into one unforgettable journey.
Riders will take on the highest point ever reached in race history on Waboomsberg in Ceres, experience the legendary trails of Eselfontein, journey through the valleys and mountains of the Witzenberg, and settle into the race village at Saronsberg in Tulbagh.
From there, the route heads across the rolling landscapes of the Swartland and Riebeek Kasteel before building towards the Queen Stage and the legendary Cliffhanger in Wellington, ahead of one final push to the finish line. But the line on the map tells only part of the story. Every rider arrives with a different story, yet all are transformed by the line they choose to cross. For eight days, two riders will share a journey shaped by challenge, perseverance, and discovery.
Every climb, descent and decision will leave its mark, until the only line that matters is the one waiting at the finish.
The line that changes everything.
PROLOGUE
The Decision
Location: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
The numbers: 27km | 1 050m Climbing
Elite Women: 27km | 1 050m Climbing
Rating: 2/5
Date: 21 March 2027
Every line starts somewhere. For the Absa Cape Epic, it begins at Lourensford Wine Estate, where months of preparation meet the first turn of the pedals in 2027. A clockwise loop around the Lourensford bowl delivers an early taste of what’s to come. Pinot Stairs and the N4 climb open up sweeping views across False Bay before the route drops through the new Rock Wall berm. The Toyota Tough Section at Schoeman’s demands early focus before a traverse across the valley leads riders through Big Switch and down to the first finish line of the week.
A fast time brings a favourable starting position, but the Prologue means more than that.
It draws the first line of every rider’s Absa Cape Epic story.
Stage Character:
Every Epic starts with someone choosing to begin. The finish line is a long way off, but the first line has been drawn.
STAGE 1
The First Question
Location: Ceres to Ceres
The numbers: 127km | 2 450m Climbing
Elite Women: 103km | 2 150m Climbing
Rating: 5/5
Date: 22 March 2027
The 2027 Absa Cape Epic draws its longest line early: more than 120 kilometres through the heart of Ceres turning towards the mountain that will define the opening day. Old Theron’s Pass is only the introduction. Then comes Waboomsberg, the highest point ever reached in the history of the Absa Cape Epic. Exposed to the African sun and whatever wind the mountain chooses to deliver, the climb rises relentlessly through changing terrain before opening onto the vast expanse of the Koue Bokkeveld. It is less a climb than a question of resolve.
Over the top, the route plunges onto the rugged trails of Kaleo, where sandstone outcrops rise against a vast mountain skyline. It is spectacular riding, but beauty offers no shortcuts.
The trail demands concentration, commitment, and absolute trust in the partner sharing the challenge. The road home runs via historic Old Gydo Pass, where gravity finally takes over, and the valley draws closer once again.
Stage Character:
Waboomsberg won’t win the Absa Cape Epic, but it establishes the first true test of preparation, partnership, and perseverance. The summit may be reached alone, but no team reaches the finish line without learning how to suffer together.
STAGE 2
The Response
Location: Ceres to Ceres
The numbers: 103km | 2 050m Climbing
Elite Women: 83km | 1 750m Climbing
Rating: 4.5/5
Date: 23 March 2027
Stage 2 heads east from Ceres towards Eselfontein, with three distinct loops giving the day a character all its own. The opening kilometres are approachable before the first major trail sector arrives. A wide singletrack climb creates an opportunity to move through the field before the route crests above Death Drop.
The second loop climbs onto Dead Man Walking and Baboon’s Highway before diving into the famous Pipeline descent, the Toyota Tough Section of the day. Rocks litter the surface, lines narrow and hesitation is punished. Momentum becomes everything as riders negotiate one of the most demanding trail sectors of the day.
The final loop skirts the Eselfontein Dam, where fatigue and momentum work against each other. Eselfontein is one of South Africa’s most respected and time-tested trail networks, and Stage 2 offers it in full: technical, varied and rewarding from start to finish.
Stage Character:
Stage 1 asked the question. Stage 2 begins to reveal the answer. Confidence grows; partnerships strengthen, and riders start to discover what lies beneath the excitement and anticipation of race week.
STAGE 3
The Rhythm
Location: Ceres to Saronsberg, Tulbagh
The numbers: 87km | 2 250m Climbing
Elite Women: 56km | 1 100m Climbing
Rating: 4/5
Date: 24 March 2027
The first transition stage carries riders from Ceres to a new race village at Saronsberg in Tulbagh via the Witzenberg. The route crosses the Ceres Valley before climbing towards Old Gydo Pass, familiar ground from Stage 1, then rises onto the Bokkeveld Plateau and into the Witzenberg Mountains.
Then the landscape changes. A fertile valley of orchards and farms opens below, traversed via Slagboom and Welgemeen, home of the Hannekom brothers. Ringed by towering peaks and hidden deep within the Western Cape landscape, it is a side of the region few ever get to witness and even fewer have the privilege to experience from the saddle of a mountain bike.
The stage builds towards Die Eike and the Witzenberg Ridge, where the Toyota Tough Section arrives in the form of the Wagon Trail descent. Technical, demanding and steeped in Cape Epic history, it is a fitting finale before the route drops towards Saronsberg.
Stage Character:
Big mountains, hidden valleys and legendary singletrack. This is the stage where the race begins to reveal its character, and the journey starts to feel larger than the kilometres already ridden.
STAGE 4
The Turning Point
Location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh to Saronsberg, Tulbagh
The numbers: 96km | 2 550m Climbing
Elite Women: 64km | 1 650m Climbing
Rating: 4.5/5
Date: 25 March 2027
Framed by the Groot Winterhoek and Witzenberg range, the Tulbagh Valley is one of the most beautiful settings in the race. Stage 4 builds its character through accumulation: five climbs, five descents, and a constantly changing succession of terrain.
The Oakhurst climb opens the day before a newly built switchback descent. From there, the route keeps north into the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, where the climb to God’s Window trades elevation for a view that can make the effort worthwhile.
The race then crosses the valley to the Witzenberg Range and the flowing Kilprivier trails before rising towards Schoonderzicht and the famed Bone Trail, built by local legend Deon Wilkins.
Weather will shape the day. Under cool skies the climbing can feel inviting. Under the relentless African sun, every ascent carries greater consequence and every exposed section demands a little more from body and mind.
Either way, this is a stage where the landscape rewards those prepared to earn its most spectacular views.
Stage Character:
By halfway, the excitement of the opening days has given way to something more enduring: partnership, patience and the decision to keep moving forward when the challenge refuses to relent.
STAGE 5
The Crossing
Location: Saronsberg, Tulbagh to Imbuko Wines, Wellington
The numbers: 114km | 2 350m Climbing
Elite Women: 114km | 2 350m Climbing
Rating: 3.5/5
Date: 26 March 2027
Stage 5 is a classic transition day where patience and teamwork matter as much as riding ability. A sharp ascent out of the Tulbagh Valley spills onto the open roads of the Swartland, and the character of the race changes completely.
Long gravel roads stretch towards the horizon beneath immense African skies. The wind is almost always present, riders take turns on the front and partnerships become more important with every kilometre. This is where progress comes not from raw power, but from a willingness to work together when the road feels endless.
Riebeek Kasteel offers a brief glimpse of civilisation before the route turns back towards the mountains. The climb onto Kasteelberg and Eight Feet leads into Riebeekberg’s Toyota Tough Section, rewarding the effort with expansive views before dropping back towards the valley.
Then comes the long drag towards Wellington. Open roads, subtle gradients and the persistent wind steadily turn kilometres into minutes. Patatskloof adds one final sting before the vineyards around Wellington finally appear and riders roll into Imbuko Wines owned by the Van Zijl and Zenzen families.
Stage Character:
Open, exposed and unforgiving, this is a stage where no rider hides from the elements. Success is measured not only in speed, but in how well two partners embrace the challenge together.
STAGE 6
The Cliffhanger
Location: Imbuko Wines, Wellington to Imbuko Wines, Wellington
The numbers: 83km | 3 100m Climbing
Elite Women: 65km | 2 500m Climbing
Rating: 5/5
Date: 27 March 2027
Stage 6 is the Queen Stage, and at its heart stands one defining feature: The Cliffhanger. The route leaves Imbuko Wines and climbs almost immediately. Hawequa stretches the field before a descent through the Scout Trails offers a brief opportunity to recover. It is a reminder that in the Absa Cape Epic, moments of relief seldom last for long.
Seven Peaks follows, spilling onto the flowing Cool Runnings trail before the route turns upwards once more. The accumulated fatigue of six days in Africa starts to make itself felt.
One after another, the climbs carry riders towards the day’s centrepiece. The Cliffhanger build on Canetsfontein Wine Estate, traces the mountainside through a dizzying series of switchbacks cut into the hillside. Carved into the slopes high above the valley floor, it is one of the most iconic sections of trail in the Absa Cape Epic. Spectacular, exposed and unforgettable, it rewards those willing to embrace the challenge and trust both their skills and their partner.
From there, the route finally turns downhill, but the work is not yet done. Full Monty, Route 66, Unhappy Hog and the Golden Mile thread together some of Wellington’s finest trail riding before the return to Imbuko Wines.
For many teams, this will be the defining day of their race. The Queen Stage arrives when riders have already given so much to the journey. Yet the finish line is now within reach, and the promise of it pulls every team forward.
Stage Character:
The Queen Stage arrives after six days of accumulated fatigue, when bodies are tired, equipment is tested at its centre stands iconic Cliffhanger. The finish line may be close enough to imagine, but in the Absa Cape Epic nothing is given.
>>>
STAGE 7
The Final Line
Location: Imbuko Wines, Wellington to Imbuko Wines, Wellington
The numbers: 64km | 1 350m Climbing
Elite Women: 64km | 1 350m Climbing
Rating: 3/5
Date: 28 March 2027
There is one final line to draw. On paper, the Grand Finale is the gentlest stage of the week. After seven days of racing, however, nothing feels quite as simple as it looks.
The route climbs towards Groenberg, where Luislang delivers the day’s last real test. By now, riders know their limits, their strengths and their partners in a way only the Absa Cape Epic can reveal. Eight days of challenge have stripped the experience down to its essentials: trust, resilience and the determination to keep turning the pedals.
From Groenberg, the route drops into Welvanpas, fast and flowing, with Bull Run and True Grit providing one final reminder that the Absa Cape Epic demands focus right to the very end. The route passes through Doolhof Wine Estate where every cheer, every cowbell and every familiar face serves as a reminder of how close the finish line has become.
One last climb. One last descent. Blazing Saddles. Then the route turns for home. The finish line waits. For some it represents redemption. For others fulfilment. For all, it is earned.
The closing kilometres are about more than the distance remaining. They carry everything that has come before: the early mornings, the sacrifices, the kilometres shared with a partner, the doubts, the laughter and the moments when simply continuing was the biggest achievement of the day.
Every climb. Every descent. Every challenge overcome. Eight stages. More than 700 kilometres across the Western Cape. All of it has been drawing towards this single point.
One final crossing. One line that changes everything.
Stage Character:
Eight days of decisions, sacrifice, effort and belief come together here. The line that once seemed impossibly distant is finally beneath the wheels. Every challenge overcome, every doubt silenced and every kilometre shared with a partner has led to this moment.
Source: Absa Cape Epic Media
