The towns

2027 Host Towns

The 2027 Absa Cape Epic route is set to deliver a thrilling mix of scenic beauty and punishing terrain, taking riders through four Western Cape towns: Somerset West, Ceres, Tulbagh, and Wellington. Starting at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, the Prologue sets a fast-paced tone with vineyard-lined trails. Ceres returns to the race, offering rugged climbs and raw landscapes. Tulbagh’s charming streets contrast sharply with the rocky mountain trails that follow, while Wellington provides a spectacular finale with world-class singletrack and dramatic climbs.

Lourensford Wine Estate

Prologue

Few places are as deeply woven into the history of the Absa Cape Epic as Lourensford. Set within the vast Helderberg Basin and sheltered by the dramatic Hottentots Holland Mountains, the estate offers a spectacular stage for the final chapter of the race. Spanning some 4,000 hectares of forests, fynbos, fruit orchards and vineyards, this grand estate is as diverse as it is beautiful, with phenomenal mountain-bike trails masterfully crafted into the terrain. High above the valley floor, leopard still roam the rugged cliffs, a reminder of the wildness that lies within and beyond the estate’s manicured vineyards and gardens. Beyond the trails, Lourensford is a destination in its own right, with a celebrated winery and restaurant, coffee roastery, art gallery, outdoor markets and regular events drawing visitors throughout the year for live music, cycling and trail-running. Yet, for Absa Cape Epic riders, Lourensford holds a special place: a venue steeped in Epic history, where fierce battles, spectacular scenery, incredible trails and the atmosphere of the race come together in one unforgettable setting.

Visit Lourensford Wine Estate

Ceres

Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 (Start)

Surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and fertile valleys, Ceres is a town where adventure and agriculture meet.
Located around 150km from Cape Town where the terrain becomes increasingly mountainous, this historic valley has been inhabited by the San and Khoi for centuries and is home to some of the region’s best-preserved San rock art.
Ceres takes it’s name from the Roman goddess of agriculture, perfectly fitting for a valley that produces an abundance of South Africa’s renowned deciduous fruit, including the cherries the town is particularly known for in summer. Its produce has travelled far beyond the valley, with Ceres fruit juices now enjoyed around the world.
It will be hard to believe it when the sun bakes down on it in March but during winter the peaks surrounding the town will often be sprinkled with a layer of snow!

With rugged mountains, expansive fruit farms, a rich cultural history and a town shaped by the dramatic 1969 earthquake, Ceres offers a memorable backdrop for the challenges and adventures of the 2027 Absa Cape Epic.

Visit Ceres

Tulbagh

Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 (Start)

Nestled within a dramatic mountain-ringed valley, Tulbagh is a place where centuries of history meet a thriving modern wine culture. As farming communities expanded beyond the valleys of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Wellington, Dutch and Huguenot settlers made their way into Tulbagh, a fertile valley that had long been home to the San and Khoi people.

Today, the town is renowned for its beautifully preserved Cape-Dutch architecture, much of which was restored following the devastating earthquake of 1969.

Almost the entire length of Church Street now forms a living heritage zone, offering a glimpse into the valley’s past. Beyond the town, quiet country roads, mountain passes and vineyards make Tulbagh a natural playground for cyclists, while its vineyards have established the valley as one of the Cape’s notable wine regions. Among them is Twee Jonge Gezellen, home to Krone, which claims to have laid down South Africa’s first Champagne-style wine, while the vineyards of Saronsberg, that the Absa Cape Epic will call home for two nights, trace their history back to the early 1700s. For Absa Cape Epic riders, Tulbagh offers a memorable combination of rugged mountain scenery, rich heritage and the enduring character of a valley shaped by agriculture, wine and exploration

Visit Tulbagh

Wellington

Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7 (Grand Finale)

Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, Wellington sits at the foot of the Hawequas Mountains in the heart of the Boland. One of South Africa’s oldest towns, its story is deeply intertwined with the journeys that once passed through this mountain gateway. Established by French Huguenots in 1688, the settlement was first known as Limietvalley, or “Limit Valley”, before becoming Wagenmakersvallei (“Wagon Makers’ Valley”) as wagon makers established their businesses here. In 1840, the town was renamed Wellington in honour of the Duke of Wellington, following his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

The historic Bainskloof Pass, one of South Africa’s oldest mountain passes, continues to wind through the surrounding landscape and remains a favourite for both road cyclists and mountain bikers. Today, Wellington is firmly established as a cycling destination, with some of the Western Cape’s most spectacular mountain-bike trails and a community is home to a number of South Africa’s top professional riders.. For the 2027 Absa Cape Epic, Imbuko Wines will become the final race village, bringing riders into a place where a rich history, a deep connection to cycling and a love of the mountains come together. It is one of the few farms in South Africa that is cultivating its own rootstock, and the name Imbuko, meaning “admiration for…” in isiXhosa, is fitting for a valley that inspires plenty of admiration of its own.

Visit Wellington