Route 138: Garden Route & Klein Karoo Loop
Ride a 558 km, three-stage loop from George through the Outeniqua mountains, the Klein Karoo and the Garden Route coast. Explore the landscapes, route character and practical planning notes in the free public introduction to EMJ Route 138.
Route area: South Africa.
This legacy EMJ route remains part of the motorcycle-route archive. Content and downloadable files should be used as trip-planning guidance and checked against current road conditions, weather, access rules, opening times and local restrictions before riding.
Route 138 · Garden Route & Klein Karoo Loop
A three-day motorcycle loop from George across the Outeniqua mountains, through the Klein Karoo and back along South Africa’s southern Garden Route.
Loop · start and finish in George
Approx. 558 km / 347 mi
3 riding stages
Barrydale · Albertinia
From mountain crossing to Karoo and coast
Route 138 begins and ends in George, crossing the Outeniqua Pass before turning inland towards Oudtshoorn. The climb leaves the greener coastal slopes behind; beyond the pass, the broad valleys and open horizons of the Klein Karoo give the ride a drier, more exposed feel.
From Oudtshoorn the road continues through Calitzdorp along the R62 corridor to Barrydale. The return leg turns east over Tradouw Pass, then reaches Swellendam, Riversdale and Albertinia before following the coastward corridor via Mossel Bay to George.
The route combines mountain bends, dry open stretches and busier town and N2 approaches. A steady touring pace leaves room for the changing scenery; wind, heat, animals, traffic and visibility can affect the day. Use the larger towns for fuel and meals, begin with a full tank, and check station hours, pass notices and weather again before riding. The Cango Caves and other longer visits are excursions that add time and may require a separate plan.
The overnight stops are Barrydale and Albertinia; the third Stage returns to George, so no separate vehicle collection is needed. Distances are planning figures from the route data; navigation apps may recalculate differently. This public introduction is open to everyone. The detailed Stage guidance and files are on the registered roadbook page.
Practical planning
Mountain passes, surfaced rural roads, open Karoo and N2 approaches
George, Western Cape
George Airport (GRJ), about 7 km from central George
Weather, wind, pass status, fuel hours and accommodation access
International riders will generally need a domestic connection via Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg (JNB); check current airline schedules and transfers. Motorcycle hire serving the area is listed by BMW Adventure and GS Africa. Confirm motorcycle category, collection point, dates and delivery directly with each provider.
Four reasons to explore
Outeniqua Pass
A high crossing from the coastal greenery into the dry interior, with a clear change in landscape and riding rhythm.
Klein Karoo
Open valleys and long views make this central stretch feel more exposed; plan water, fuel and heat breaks in town.
Tradouw Pass
A folded mountain corridor on the eastbound return, where bends and variable sight lines reward an unhurried pace.
Coastal return to George
The final leg shifts towards coastal settlements and busier approaches before the loop closes at its starting point.
Your route, on your device
Check the files actually supplied with this route. Formats and package contents can vary; do not assume every format below is included.
Compatible devices and apps
Import a track or route into devices and apps that support GPX. Compare the imported line with the EMJ route before departure.
TomTom and route planning
For compatible TomTom devices and supported route-planning tools. Check your device’s current import requirements.
Google Earth
Explore the route in Google Earth and compatible mapping software. KMZ is compressed KML; neither format automatically provides turn-by-turn road navigation.
- If a ZIP is supplied, extract it to access the included files.
- Choose a format supported by your device or software.
- Import and compare the result with the EMJ map; navigation recalculation may alter the intended roads.
Compatible software: TomTom, MyRoute-app, RouteConverter and Google Earth.
Check the whole route first
This tour is designed for motorcycling and may inspire a driving holiday, but the suitability of the entire route for cars has not been verified. Paved roads or navigation-file compatibility do not prove that every section, access point or stop suits every car. Check road width, restrictions, surface, parking and current local conditions for your vehicle.
Questions before the journey
Where does Route 138 start and finish?
It is a loop starting and finishing in George, South Africa. The planning distance is approximately 558 km / 347 mi across three riding stages.
Where are the overnight stops?
The route stays overnight in Barrydale and Albertinia, then returns to George on Stage 3.
When should I ride it?
Check current weather, wind, daylight, pass status and provincial road notices for your dates; conditions can change quickly between the coast, passes and open interior.
Does the roadbook include every navigation format?
File availability varies by route. Check the actual download package and confirm that your device or software supports the selected format.
Is this introduction free to read?
Yes. The introduction is public. The full roadbook requires a free EMJ Rider account; existing members can log in, and new riders can register free to continue to Route 138.
Can I add a longer visit?
Yes, but attractions such as the Cango Caves add substantial time and may require a detour. Check current opening, access, parking and visit duration separately.
Your next road starts here
Open the full Route 138 roadbook for detailed Stage narratives, riding guidance and the files available for this route.
Open the complete roadbook ↗Free EMJ Rider account · Road and service information can change · Ride to current conditions.