Adventure Season in Plettenberg Bay
Calling all adventurers, mountain-bikers, trail runners and equestrians, we’re waving good-bay to winter and hello to spring with an excellent menu of outdoor sporting activities. Plettenberg Bay lies in the heart of the UNESCO Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, one of the most beautiful and biodiverse locations on the planet. Home to endemic Fynbos, wild elephants, wandering leopards, beauitful beaches and rugged coastlines. Plett is the perfect place to enjoy your choice of sport, in nature, and we below we have put together a short list of some of the most exciting events happening this September and October in, and around, Plettenberg Bay. Pack your bag and join us at Cornerway House for two months of outdoor fun!
EDEN TO ADDO GREAT CORRIDOR HIKE
1-22 September 2018
Image: Eden to Addo
This “Camino of the Cape” is a wild and wonderful 20-day hike that covers 350km while raising funds for the conservation of the three mega reserves that the hike traverses: the Garden Route National Park, the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site and Addo Elephant National Park. According to the hike organisers, there is no greater threat to life on earth than loss of biodiversity. The trail takes hikers through these reserves and across private tracts of land, that have been made available for the hike. Experience 5 of South Africa’s 7 biomes, endemic Fynbos (2/3 of which is found nowhere else in the world) and some of the wildest areas in South Africa. A truly South African adventure and an unforgettable journey.
DR EVIL CLASSIC MTB
20-22 September 2018
Image: Dr Evil Classic
There are many MTB stage races in South Africa at the moment, however the Dr Evil Classic is something very special. Not only is it designed by “Dr Evil” himself, Leon Evans, but the race consists of three days of trails, and three different race villages. Riders are given the best treatment with on-site chefs and goodies at each race village to ensure that they can relax after a day of riding the Garden Route. This year, Dr Evil introduces two new race villages: Plett Game Reserve and Kurland Hotel and Polo Estate, in addition to Cairnbrogie Farm and trails will take riders along the Plettenberg Bay coastline, through forest, Fynbos and farmland and even through the magnificent Plett Game Reserve. Spaces are very limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
SA EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND TRAIL RUN
21-23 September 2018
Image: Kurland Eventing
For a more sedate, and family-friendly, weekend, Kurland Eventing presents a weekend of fun at the SA Adult Eventing Championships which will include a trail run on the estate, a gourmet market and beautiful surrounding in which to enjoy the equestrian entertainment. The eventing is a three-phase event which includes dressage, show-jumping and cross-country. This is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of equestrian eventing in the most beauitful of settings.
MTO TOUR DE PLETT MTB
6 October 2018
Image: PlettTube
Now in its eighth year, the Tour de Plett MTB is a fun family race aimed at serious cyclists and fun riders as it offers a variety of distances: 87km, 60km, 40km and 20km) and a dramatic finish across a floating bridge to Plett’s Central Beach. Profits from the event benefit the popular Kwano Cycling Academy and the trail highlights new and existing trails to showcase the best of mountain-biking along the Garden Route.
THE OTTER TRAIL CHALLENGE
17-18 October 2018
Image: Otter African Trail Run
Known as the RETTO (OTTER backwards) in the years it is run backwards from Nature’s Valley to Storms River, this “Grail of Trails” is said to be one of the best in the world. Entries sell out extremely quickly and trail runners the world over travel to South Africa’s Tsitsikamma to take up the challenge. The Otter Trail is also the home of the Grand Final of the new Salomon Golden Trail Series. In this new year-long challenge, runners compete in a series of trail runs across the globe, and the top ten are invited to the Garden Route to compete in the final along the Otter Trail.
THE OTTER TRAIL RUN
19-20 October
Image: Jacques Marais
The trail is unbelievably beautiful, set in the Tsitsikamma National Park along Africa’s oldest Marine Protected Area and includes the following highlights:
- Four river crossings
- 11 significant climbs and decents
- 2600m elevation gain
- 7 time-based medal categories across the eight- and eleven-hour races
THE WILD CORRIDOR MTB RIDE
23 – 27 October 2018
Following in the footsteps of elephants of old and, more recently, the hikers of the Eden to Addo Trail, follow Kevin Evans into the wild! The ride begins in Kareedouw in the Langkloof, winds through the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve and Garden Route National Park, finishing off on the beach in Plettenberg Bay. Very exciting for those unsure of the distances and climbs, the Wild Corridor is now e-bike friendly!
Which of these adventures will you be enjoying in Plettenberg Bay this spring? Book your ent today.
