Due to adverse weather conditions and changes of the route all spectators should join us to watch the Grand Finale at Lourensford Wine Estate. 

Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West 

Race Village: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West 

What to Expect: The last day is a celebration of mountain biking and it packed with stellar singletracks. For the fans there are only two opportunities to witness the teams before they cross the finish line of the grand finale and receive their finishers’ medals.  

Meerendal Wine Estate, Durbanville

Race Village: Meerendal Wine Estate

What to Expect: Stage 1, in 2025, is the first time the Absa Cape Epic utilises the Tygerberg Trails beyond Meerendal and its direct neighbours. The proximity to Durbanville and the plethora of world-class wine farms in the region ensures that each spectator point will be superbly situated with access to coffees, meals, and incredible views.  

A) Malanshoogte - 27km

This spectator point provides a prime view of the early action, located in the first third of the first stage of the 2025 race.

B) Annah Beulah Farm - 49km

By combining the spectator point with Water Point 2 and the first elite feed zone, the race ensures that Annah Beulah Farm will be a hive of activity on Monday morning. For the teams the first 49 kilometres of the stage are relatively easy, but after the spectator point the going will get tough. For the fans it’s an opportunity to see the big guns in a group, racing shoulder to shoulder into the difficult part of the stage.  

C) Bloemendal - 73km

The relentless climbs of Durbanville hills will surely have split the field by the time the teams reach Bloemendal Wine Estate. For those who arrive early or who have time to wait between squads they are supporting the farm’s restaurant The Rose Garden provides delicious sit-down meals for those with the time to relax, while if you are rushing in and out you can grab takeaways at the Bloemendal Trail Park.  

Fairview, Paarl

Race Village: Fairview Wine and Cheese

What to Expect: The first day on the Paarl mountain is a massive day out for the teams taking part in the 2025 Absa Cape Epic. It is a stage filled with ups and downs, but also one which provides plenty of opportunities to see the riders in action. Fans will be able to go from spectator point to spectator point, especially if they are only following one team, seeing their favourites at each location and make it back to the finish too.

A) JDK GRAPES - 19km

At the northern end of the Jan Phillips Bergpad, JDK Farms’ pack-shed is the venue for a spectator point, water point and elite feed zone. The 10 kilometres from the Taalmonument to JDK is a relatively easy one, so it will take the top teams no time at all to cover the distance, but it is still possible to make the trek along the longest main road in South Africa, through Paarl, to get there in time.  

B) Rhebokskloof Wine Estate - 38km

From Water Point 1 to Rhebokskloof Wine Estate the route is brutally though, even the downhills are not easy. This should allow you to get to the farm and grab a coffee, at the very least, before your favourites arrive. The winery and the restaurant will be open too, should they take longer than anticipated.  

C) Ridgeback Wines - 50km

Ridgeback Wines is a short drive, but 12 kilometres on the trails from Rhebokskloof, making it another must-visit venue. The action takes place right next to the restaurant and winery, and by this stage in the day most spectators will have worked up an appetite. It is also the last spot to see the teams before the finish, unless you prioritize viewing from the trails rather, in which case you can go to Spice Route rather than the Fairview finish line.   

Paarl Reserve (USN hydration station) -59km

D) Krismis camp - 66km

This spectator point comes in the last third of the stage where the decisive break will have already unfolded across racing categories. For the amateur riders, this is a critical moment — with the toughest climbs in the rearview, they’re now gearing up for the thrilling final descent into the race village!

E) Spice Route Destination - 71km

As on Stage 2, the Spice Route is the final spectator point of the day on Wednesday, 19 March. It comes slightly too close to the finish to comfortably suggest that you will be able to see the top teams there and catch them on the finish line. Though if you are supporting amateur squads the press of the crowds are likely to have thinned slightly and the fact that the final 7 kilometres are likely to take them half an hour should make it possible to make the short drive to the Fairview race village, park and walk across to the finish line in time to see your team twice that last phase of the stage.  

F) Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm- 72km

The hosts for three nights of the 2025 Absa Cape Epic, Fairview Wine and Cheese, offers visitors restaurants, wine tasting, and fromagerie to enjoy while you wait for the riders.

Fairview, Paarl

Race Village: Fairview Wine and Cheese

What to Expect:  The second day on the Paarl Mountain is a faster, more punchy stage. It will still be tough on the teams, but for the spectators there are some stellar places to visit and see the race pass by. Unlike on Stage 3 fans will need to select their spots with care though, as they will be able to leapfrog to every second spectator point rather than tick them all off sequentially.

A) Diamant Estate - 26km 

Just 5km along the trails from Spice Route, Diamant Estate is a probably an hour into the stage for the top men’s teams. Famed as a gorgeous wedding venue it is among the most beautiful places a bike race is ever likely to visit. If you have marriage plans for 2026 this might be the time to check out a venue.  

B) Knus Karoo Café - 34km

For those going 1, 3, 5 and then 6 or 7 on the spectator point game of leapfrog the next glorious stop is Knus Karoo Café. There will be takeaway coffees for those wanting to stroll into the pump track to cheer on the teams, but the restaurant will also be open for the fans who prefer to sit down and enjoy a breakfast or brunch while you wait.

C) Laborie - 36km

If your schedule is 2, 4, and then 6 or 7 then Laborie Estate in the heart of Paarl is your second stop. The farm provides spectacular views, an opportunity to see the teams snaking down to the Cucina Di Giovanni at Laborie restaurant and climbing back out towards the Jan Phillips Bergpad. Plus the aforementioned restaurant serves both dine in and takeaways making it possible to grab bunch or lunch while you wait.  

D) Taal Monument - 41km 

On Stage 4 you will have to double back from Laborie or bead from Knus straight up to the Afrikaans Taalmonument to reach the fourth spectator point of the day. The language monument comes just over half-way into the stage and should provide a good look at how the battles are shaping up. Historically Stage 4 is when the momentum of the race shifts and the winners start to distance themselves from the pack, so you may well be able to see that moment in the flesh on a steep section of the day’s longest climb. 

E) Paarl Reserve - 50km

F) Spice Route - 66km

Spice Route comes close to the finish and you will be able to see the top teams there before catching them at the finish line if you move quickly. Or relax watching the final moments of the race while visiting the supurb hospitality on offer. 

G) Fairview - 70km

The hosts for three nights of the 2025 Absa Cape Epic, Fairview Wine and Cheese, offers visitors restaurants, wine tasting, and fromagerie to enjoy while you wait for the riders.

H) Fijnland Estate - 75km

Watch riders take on the final section of what will sure be a challenging but rewarding day out in Paarl at Fijnland Estate

Fairview (Paarl) to Lourensford Wine Estate (Somerset West)

Race Village: Fairview Wine and Cheese

What to Expect: The Queen Stage of the 2025 Absa Cape Epic is a massive day out. Its point-to-point nature means everyone is moving and the roads from Fairview Wines, in Paarl, to Lourensford Wine Estate, in Somerset West, pass many fine places to watch the race. Only those setting up campervans have any excuse for not stopping at least once.  

A) Muratie - 37km

The singletracks of the Simonsberg are a popular Absa Cape Epic playground and Muratie Wine Estate is the best place to see the teams in the middle of this trail paradise. The restaurant will be open for breakfast and coffees, should you arrive early, and you can take a walk from the central hub to get a view of the teams as they glide through the forest tracks.  

B) Botmanskop - 59km

After dropping from the heights of Botmaskop along The Doctor trail the teams will skirt the Stellenbosch urban edge through the Uniepark and Rosendal suburbs. At the top of Uniepark, on Provinsie Road, an informal spectator point offers an opportunity to see the world’s best hitting Conrad Stoltz’s dirt jumps.  

C) Coetzenberg - 66km

Parking at the Department of Sport Science and Maties Gymnasium parking area and walking the 300 metres up to the Ertjieskloof Dam gives you access to a 1-2 kilometre section of the route. You can stay at the dam, where there is shade, or walk alongside the course along the Bergpad (to the South East) or towards the Coetzenburg Forest (to the West). Either way, be careful not to stray into the track and get in the way of the riders.  

D) Eden Forest - 72km 

Huis in the Bos, on the Eden Trails is another good spot to intercept the race. Once again for those not cycling around the Stellenbosch spectator points the best way to get to Eden is to drive to the Eden Forest Trail Head on Paradyskloof Way. It is a brisk, 800 metre, uphill walk to where the race route exits the forest and starts the traverse to Mont Marie.  

E) Mont Marie - 75km 

After four spectator points in the wilderness the refined beauty of Mont Marie will be a welcome moment of luxury for many weary spectators. The restaurant will be open should you wish to leapfrog some of the earlier points and head straight to Mont Marie.  

F) Dornier - 79km

The final opportunity to see the teams before they make their ascent of the Helderberg Mountains and cross into Lourensford, Dornier Wine Estate boasts everything you need from a spectator point. The restaurant will be open, the lawns are lush and green, there is ample shade, and there will be a water point and elite feed zone on the estate too. You will miss it trying to race from Mont Marie, but you should beat even the fastest men’s teams from the Ertjieskloof Dam to Dornier, as the drive should take 15-20 minutes.  

Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West 

Race Village: Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West 

What to Expect: Stage 6 takes place entirely within Lourensford Wine Estate and the neighbouring Vergelegen Wine Estate. Both farms include vast sections of pristine fynbos and rugged mountainsides. For fans access to the working sections of the farms, where the race takes place, is strictly controlled. Therefore you will have to book an official route tour or bring your bike and follow the marked spectator riding route to the Brinksburg and Rooi Dams, as well as to the Channel Trail.   

A) Brinksburg Dam - 5km

Ride the spectator route from the race village in Lourensford to the Brinksburg Dam to watch the best riders in the world embark on what is set to be a telling stage of the 2025 race. 

B) Pinot Stairs- 80km

The last test for the day will be the Pinot Stairs section before the riders head down to the finish line. The pace at front of the race will be relentless up here but expect some tired legs at the back.