Helshoogte Pass The Five Passes Classic
Escape the city on a diverse full-day adventure loop combining scenic mountain passes and flowing unpaved backroads.
Starting from Muizenberg, the route transitions from smooth coastal tarmac to hard-packed gravel trails as it cuts through the Overberg fruit valleys, the historic town of Franschhoek, and the Cape Winelands. Riding lightweight CFMOTO 450MT adventure bikes, this tour is designed for dual-sport enthusiasts looking to experience the Western Cape’s premier dual-sport corridors. We maintain a steady, manageable pace with dedicated stops for food, photography, and viewpoints.
Tour Highlights
Highlands Trail and Van der Stel Pass: Flowing, scenic gravel sectors through the heart of the Overberg.
Franschhoek Pass: A dramatic alpine ascent featuring steep switchbacks and sweeping valley vistas.
Sir Lowry’s and Helshoogte Passes: Classic, high-grip tarmac sweeping passes with coastal and vineyard views.
Morning and Lunch Stops: Traditional pastries at Peregrine Farm Stall and a sit-down lunch in historic Franschhoek.
Route
The loop kicks off from our Muizenberg base, where we complete bike allocation, controls familiarisation, and a comprehensive safety briefing. We transit along the False Bay coast before ascending the high-grip tarmac of Sir Lowry's Pass, dropping straight into the Elgin Valley for a morning refreshment and pastry stop at the historic Peregrine Farm Stall. From there, we turn off the main highway onto Highlands Road, transitioning from tarmac to the unpaved Highlands Trail gravel pass. The route then connects through Botrivier to access the flowing dirt tracks of Van der Stel Pass, winding through quiet, rural farmlands.
The mid-section of the run brings us back onto the tarmac, crossing the scenic Theewaterskloof Dam reservoir before we scale the steep, winding switchbacks of Franschhoek Pass. We halt at the summit viewpoint for panoramic views of the valley before descending the pass into the historic town of Franschhoek for a sit-down lunch at a local village cafe.
Our return leg departs Franschhoek along the R45, skirting past the Boschendal estate to climb Helshoogte Pass. We route through the beautiful, historic town of Stellenbosch before picking up the R44 south. We complete the loop along the sweeping coastal tarmac of Baden Powell Drive, returning to the Muizenberg base for a post-ride debrief and cold drinks.