Route 62: South Africa’s Answer to Route 66 for Bikers

The Wild West Comes to the Klein Karoo

Endless stretches of sun-baked asphalt cutting through dramatic mountain landscapes, with roadside stops that are so quirky they’d make any American road tripper jealous. Welcome to South Africa’s Route 62, where the spirit of the Wild West meets African adventure in the most spectacular way possible. This isn’t just another scenic drive – it’s Africa’s answer to Route 66, and for motorcycle enthusiasts, it might just be even better than the original.

Why Route 62 Beats Its American Cousin

While Route 66 has become a tourist-heavy shadow of its former self, Route 62 remains gloriously authentic. Both roads travel from the west to the east coast of their respective countries, and both link port cities. But that is where the similarities end. Route 62 is less crowded and less expensive than the Cape’s coastal locations, and, unlike the near-defunct Route 66, is thriving. The South African version delivers everything bikers crave: sweeping curves, stunning scenery, and authentic local culture that hasn’t been sanitized for mass tourism.

In 1926 the inter regional link, Route 66, between Chicago and Los Angeles, was established as one of America’s main east-west arteries, providing small towns access to a major national throughfare. In the same manner Cape Route 62 links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. But here’s the kicker – Route 62 is still alive and kicking, while much of Route 66 has been bypassed by interstate highways.

The Legendary Ronnie’s Sex Shop: A Must-Stop Motorcycle Pilgrimage

No Route 62 journey is complete without a stop at the most famous roadside attraction in South Africa. Don’t worry – despite the provocative name, Ronnie’s Sex Shop has nothing to do with sex. The story behind this legendary pit stop is pure gold.

One day in the 1970s, in the Western Cape province of South Africa, Ronnie Price decided to open a farm stand on Cape Route 62 to sell his fruits and vegetables. To announce his farm stand to passerby, Ronnie painted “Ronnie’s Shop” in red paint on the white facade of his roadside cottage. But as a practical joke, a few of Ronnie’s buddies bought some red paint and renamed the cottage “Ronnie’s Sex Shop.”

Initially furious about the prank, Ronnie eventually embraced it when a friend suggested he just open a pub instead. When Ronnie realized the brilliance of his friends’ idea, he converted the farm stand into a fully stocked bar, serving coffee in the morning and booze at night. Today, this quirky establishment has become a pilgrimage site for bikers from around the world.

What Makes Ronnie’s Special for Motorcyclists

Walking into Ronnie’s feels like stepping into a biker’s fever dream. Hung across the bar’s ceiling are over 100 t-shirts, bras, and pairs of underwear with writing on them for decoration. Strewn across the pub are a variety of random objects, including teddy bears, clown wigs, and baby dolls. The walls are covered in graffiti from visitors worldwide, creating a tapestry of motorcycle tour memories.

This Little Karoo pub is an institution in the middle of nowhere. Popular with bikers it is a great place to stop for something cold, and the camaraderie among fellow riders is infectious. Ronnie turned his shop into a pub and he’s never looked back. That morning, we had left a chilly Swellendam in the mountains. Emerging onto the Klein Karoo, the climate changed immediately to toasty sunshine and a landscape of endless sand and brush.

The Klein Karoo: Where Desert Dreams Meet Mountain Thrills

Route 62 winds through the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo), a semi-arid region that feels like South Africa’s answer to the American Southwest. The landscape is pure motorcycle poetry – red soil, stark cliff faces, rivers, orchards, and indigenous scrub. Fynbos, including the beautiful Protea, swirl gently as cars rush by on the highway.

This unique terrain offers something for every type of rider. Whether you’re on a guided tour or exploring solo, the Klein Karoo delivers endless opportunities for memorable motorcycle adventures. The region’s charm lies in its contradictions – one moment you’re riding through fertile wine valleys, the next you’re navigating dramatic mountain passes with views that stretch to infinity.

Conquering the Legendary Swartberg Pass

For serious motorcycle enthusiasts, the Swartberg Pass represents the ultimate challenge on any Route 62 motorbike tour. The pass is 72.6 km (45.11 miles) long, running south-north from Oudtshoorn (in the Klein Karoo area) to Prince Albert, and it’s said to be one of the steepest passes in the country, with ramps hitting a maximum gradient of 15%.

This isn’t just any mountain road – it’s a masterpiece of engineering that will test your skills and reward your courage. The Swartberg Pass is for many South Africans, the rubicon of gravel road passes. There is an allure and a mystique around this old pass, coupled with its status as a national monument, which elevates this pass to the very top of the list.

Built by the legendary Thomas Bain in the 1880s, the pass features hairpin turns supported by hand-built stone walls. Along with striking warped and twisted rock formations and interesting plant life, you will see some amazing drystone work supporting the picturesque hairpin bends.

Big Biking Adventures Through Wine Country

Route 62 isn’t just about dramatic landscapes – it’s also reputed to be the longest wine route in the world. For big biking tour enthusiasts, this means combining adrenaline-pumping rides with world-class wine tasting experiences. The route passes through charming towns like Robertson, Montagu, and Barrydale, each offering unique opportunities to sample local wines and cuisine.

The wine regions along Route 62 provide perfect rest stops during any motorcycle tour. Picture pulling up to a Cape Dutch farmhouse on your bike, helmet in hand, ready to sample award-winning wines while soaking in mountain views. It’s this blend of adventure and sophistication that makes Route 62 special.

Planning Your Route 62 Motorcycle Tour

When planning your guided tour or self-guided adventure, timing is everything. The best months for a motobike tour are April through September, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is minimal. Summer months can be scorching, while winter occasionally brings snow to the higher passes.

Most organized motorcycle tours of Route 62 last between 5-8 days, allowing time to properly explore the region’s highlights. This trip is all about the outbound journey (665km). We took it easy from Cape Town to Matjiesfontein and then klapped it back on the N1. Whether you choose a comprehensive guided tour or prefer the flexibility of a self-guided adventure, Route 62 rewards every type of rider.

Motorcycle-Friendly Terrain and Roads

One of Route 62’s biggest advantages over other scenic routes is its motorcycle-friendly infrastructure. It’s mostly tar and the gravel stretches are well graded. I’d avoid a superbike or something overly sporty though. The hairpin bends on Swartberg Pass are quite tight and things can get a little loose.

For most of the route, you’ll enjoy smooth tarmac that’s perfect for any type of motorcycle. Some sort of a dual-sport is the best option. If you want to up the fun factor, take a scrambler or cruiser-style motorcycle with a lower ride-height. The variety of terrain means adventure bikes and touring motorcycles are equally at home here.

Wildlife and Cultural Encounters

A big biking tour through Route 62 isn’t just about the riding – it’s about the complete experience. The region is home to South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, and keep an eye on dams and wetlands for a chance to spot the Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird and an endangered species often visible along Route 62.

The route also passes through ostrich farming country around Oudtshoorn, where you can experience this unique aspect of South African agriculture. Many guided tours include visits to ostrich farms, adding an educational element to your motorcycle adventure.

Hidden Gems Along the Way

Beyond the famous stops, Route 62 is packed with hidden treasures perfect for curious bikers. We found loads of little gravel tracks that go nowhere – lots of fun for a quick outride for sundowners. These side routes offer opportunities to explore the real Klein Karoo, away from even the modest tourist traffic.

Small towns like Calitzdorp, famous for its port wines, and Ladismith provide authentic glimpses into rural South African life. This scenic route passes through farming towns such as Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Robertson, McGregor, Rawsonville, Worcester, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl.

Safety and Practical Considerations

While Route 62 is generally safe for motorcycle tourism, preparation is key. The remote nature of some sections means you should travel with adequate supplies and inform others of your route. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in certain areas, making satellite communication devices worthwhile for solo riders.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in the mountains. Morning mist, afternoon thunderstorms, and strong winds are all possibilities that bikers need to factor into their planning. The good news is that South Africa boasts some of the best warm sunny weather all year round, although we do have winter for around 3 – 4 month of the year, we enjoy sunshine 90% of the time.

Comparing International Motorcycle Tours

For riders considering various international motorcycle tour destinations, Route 62 offers exceptional value and authenticity. Unlike heavily commercialized routes in Europe or America, this South African gem maintains its character while providing world-class riding experiences.

The combination of dramatic scenery, authentic culture, favorable exchange rates for international visitors, and genuine hospitality makes Route 62 a standout choice for any serious motorcycle enthusiast. Whether you’re looking for technical challenges, scenic beauty, or cultural immersion, this route delivers on all fronts.

The Evolution of a Legendary Route

There are similarities between Route 62 and America’s Route 66. Both were developed to link rural towns and villages to major centres and both were replaced by highways diverting traffic along more direct roads. Route 62 is now emerging from hibernation to delight the discerning visitor wanting to explore the best of the Western Cape.

This revival has been a blessing for motorcycle tourists. While major traffic now uses the N2 highway, Route 62 has transformed into something even better – a scenic alternative that showcases the real South Africa without the commercial pressure that has diminished other famous routes worldwide.

Making Memories That Last a Lifetime

The beauty of a Route 62 motorcycle tour lies not just in the dramatic landscapes or challenging passes, but in the complete experience. Famous for its quirky characters and inviting stopovers, taking a trip down this offbeat lane is sure to be full of surprises. Every kilometer brings new discoveries, from roadside farm stalls selling local produce to spontaneous conversations with fellow travelers at places like Ronnie’s.

This is motorcycle tourism at its finest – where the journey truly is the destination, and where every twist in the road promises something unexpected. Whether you’re part of a guided tour group or exploring solo, Route 62 creates the kind of memories that keep riders coming back year after year.

The magic happens in the details: the smell of fynbos after a brief shower, the taste of local wine at a small-town cellar, the camaraderie shared with fellow bikers over a cold beer in the middle of the Klein Karoo. These moments transform a simple motorcycle ride into a life-changing adventure.

For anyone serious about motorcycle touring, Route 62 deserves a place at the top of your bucket list. This is South Africa’s gift to the global motorcycle community – a route that proves sometimes the best adventures happen when you take the road less traveled.

Where Big Bike Tours actually runs today

Big Bike Tours no longer operates departures in South Africa. This article stays online because Route 62 is worth reading about and because riders keep asking about it, but we cannot take you there, and we would rather say so than let you write to us about a tour that does not exist.

What we do run is Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, Japan, the Philippines, and New Zealand end to end. If what draws you to Route 62 is the long inland run through dry country, the closest things in our current range are the 20-day Great Thailand Ride and the 10-day Mongolia Wild West Ride across the Altai.

The full tour range is here, and the tour dates page shows what is running when. Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly what we do and do not operate, including when the answer is that somebody else runs it better.