STAGE 1

A taste of the stage

Stage 1 leaves Graaff Reinet with 5 km of tar before opening onto wide gravel farm roads, climbing up to Conical Peak at 41 km — a steady gradient that kicks hard toward the summit (the final 3 km from 38 km is the Toyota Power Climb), rewarding riders with sweeping Karoo views. A thrilling but potentially hazardous 19 km descent follows, with a tricky section at the end before dropping into a river crossing. The route then eases into a gentle 40km climb toward Blaauwater, with two railway crossings to be aware of near the finish. Remote and scenic throughout, the stage offers a true sense of Karoo wilderness, matched by the stunning setting at Blaauwater Burn Camp, where riders spend two nights. Includes a liaison section. Liaison: 1 km | 5m climbing | 25m descending