Rider descending above the Wellington valley

Race guide · 20 February 2027

SA’s toughest one day marathon

Why The Big 5

Why The Big 5 by Imbuko Wines & Canetsfontein is SA’s toughest one day marathon.

The high level of competition, world class course design, and raw technical terrain are the factors that make The Big 5 by Imbuko Wines and Canetsfontein South Africa’s toughest one day MTB marathon, and one of the best in the world!

“I absolutely love The Big 5. I think if I could design a marathon route that suited me, that would be it. I love the challenge of the climbs but they’re not too steep and ridiculous, they are long and challenging enough their own way at a gradient that really suites me.”

Candice Lill · 2024 Winner

The terrain

The toughest terrain in SA, but also the most rewarding

If you’ve ridden bikes in Wellington, you’ll know that it’s no walk in the park. The Limietberg mountains are steep and have plenty of vertical exposure to make those big climbs truly epic battles! It isn’t only the relief of the land that makes racing bikes here so challenging, the sandstone rocks have eroded to make for slippery surfaces with plenty of loose gravel over hard packed ground. It’s classic Western Cape mountain biking!

With that in mind, the descents are what make every pedal stroke to the top worth the sweat. Seemingly endless trails that carve their way through fynbos and forest, drawing you deeper into the moment as the world slips away and it’s just you and your bike in perfect harmony moving through the most breathtaking scenes in SA.

This is where you earn your stripes a South African mountain biker. Tested physically on the massive climbs and technically on the epic descents. The BIG 5’s route has been designed to take you up and over the biggest and best climbs on this mighty range of mountains and down unforgettable descents that you won’t find the likes of elsewhere in the country!

The course

Breaking down The Big 5 course

“What really makes the route so amazing is the descents and in particular the Cliffhanger, it is so so iconic and beautiful. I love both aspects of the route, the descending and the climbing, and the nature of the climbing. The event has a great vibe and quite a few European pros come along as well to make the racing harder. I always feel like I’m going too hard in the beginning but I seem to manage to maintain it and I think that’s because I’m having so much fun on the descents in between!”

Candice Lill

As Candice says, the route is equal parts challenging and rewarding with 3 000m of climbing over the 80km course. The climbs will test you to your limits and the descents will pay you back with incredible views, turns, and the rush of speed. When it’s all over, you’ll be welcomed back at Imbuko Wines with a cool damp facecloth, recovery drinks, a comfy chill area and delicious food options for you and the family (and of course some of the finest wine around)!

Now let's dig into the details of this grand route in the Limietberg Mountains!

Hawequa

15km up / 4km down

The first climb of the day (Hawequa) is entirely made up of farm and forest roads. There is plenty of room to contest for position and overtake on the climbs but watch out for ruts and loose rocks!

You’ll be treated to spectacular views along the top contour (700m vertical into the race) before you plunge down to the Hawequa Scout’s Hall on the Hawequa trail! The trail is fast, not too technical, has plenty of corners and is quite loose under tyre towards the bottom.

Seven Peaks

4km up / 4km down

Once you pass the first water point at the Hawequa Scouts Hall, the second climb of the day will begin. Seven Peaks is a single track climb that gains 360m of elevation through steep switchbacks and a couple of rock gardens before pounding back down to the valley floor on the surreal Cool Running’s trail! High speeds, sublime corners, and some slippery gravel sections make this am iconic section of the race!

Obiekwa

12km up

By this point (27km into the day) the legs will be talking to you but the biggest climb is about to start. Passing through the Canetsfontein water point (a great spot for spectators to hang out) you will begin the ascent to the mighty Cliffhanger! Winding single tracks and forest roads will lead you up and up into the mountains where you’ll eventually emerge out of the trees to one of the most unique trails in South Africa. Expertly crafted switchbacks take you higher and higher to 1000m above sea level and the start of the Cliffhanger descent!

The Cliffhanger

10km down

If you’re a little intimidated by the sharp turns and steep terrain, take a deep breath and remember the following; manage your speed into the corner with your brakes, start the turn as much to the outside of the corner as you can, look to where you want to go through the corner and try release the front brake through the turn to let your tyre grip and turn better! Once you’re through the switchback gulley at the top, the trail opens up and you’ll have one of the longest and most grin-inducing descents of your life ahead, dropping 850 metres in 10km! Enjoy every moment!

Groenberg

6km up / 3km down

Passing through the Canetsfontein water point again with 47km under the belt you’ll have 2 more big efforts to tick off. Groenberg is the fourth climb and mixes singletrack and farm roads to take you up 240m over the 6km climb. There are a couple of steep pinches but this ascent is mostly forgiving! The Golden Mile trail will take you through the gulley and round a bunch of super fun corners back to the valley floor where you’ll pass the Val du Charron water point. Fill up here because there is still a ways to go (just over 10km of hard riding) and the Pataskloof climb can bake in the sun.

Pataskloof

11km up and across / 5km down

The final test is a steep gravel road that points up the mountain that you descended down with the Cool Running’s trail earlier in the morning. Vasbyt through the first sting on the gravel road and then prepare to navigate some rough and rocky terrain on your way back across to the Hawequa Scouts Hall. On your way you’ll encounter a sharp descent on very loose gravel with a lot of ruts, play it smart and safe here to get to the finish in one piece!

Update

New change to the route near the finish

Leaving the Scouts Hall, you’ll now head down and out the main gate for a faster finish instead of back across the Brookyln Bridge and the nasty climb out of the valley. The easier finish might make for some new surprises elsewhere in the route to keep everything in balance so keep an ear out for route announcements on our social media channels!

“The Imbuko Big 5 event is just before the Cape Epic stage race which means that everyone’s form is pretty much cooking. This is the perfect test of fitness. There is no other race like this in SA!”

Marco Joubert

Are you up for the challenge? The Limietberg Mountains are calling. It’s time to show them what you’ve got!

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Race day services

All In Events — Enjoy the ride, we'll do the rest

Have your bike transported directly to The Big 5 MTB Challenge! We have partnered with All In Events who will be the official bike transporter company for The Big 5 MTB Challenge.

Contact Dean on 082 729 7955 or email info@d12.co.za

www.allinevents.co.za

Elite Performance Factory is excited to offer premium recovery services to support your best performance! 45-Minute Sports Massage – Targeted to relieve muscle tension, aid recovery, and boost blood flow for maximum endurance.

Buy your ticket here