The 2026 FNB Wines2wWhales returns to the original Lourensford to Hermanus route. Racing east over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains from the Somerset West Winelands into the Elgin Valley, home to some of the best singletracks in South Africa, and down the Katpas into the Overberg, where wheatfields ripen in the warm sunshine, and the finish line awaits. What, though, of the differences between the Original and the Switchback route? Which is best? Entries are open, and the best way to decide is to ride, but in the meantime, read this…
There’s no doubt that the FNB Wines2Whales route is very special. The amount of work the Cape Trails team puts into the singletracks ensures that the riding is spectacular, regardless of the direction you are going in. Every winter, with race founder Johan Krigler’s guidance, they build new trails and renovate old favourites. The spectacular bridges often get the attention, especially in photos and videos, but it is the consistency of the high-quality tracks that keep riders coming back to experience the Serious GEES of world-class mountain biking.
But which is best, the OG or the Switchback route? Read on, then enter to make an educated decision from your own experiences…
OG Pro: Starting in Lourensford
Easy logistics, close to the airport, and with Somerset West right there, it’s easy to grab forgotten items from the bike shop or supermarket the day before the race starts. Starting in Lourensford also means you get to ride the incredible Lourensford trails with the freshest legs you’ll have all race!
Switchback Pro: Starting at Benguela Cove
Travelling out to Benguela Cove, near Hermanus, makes it feel like you’re setting out on an adventure. The gentle climb out of the estate and up to the summit of Karwyderskraal road is about as easy as any stage race can start.
OG Pro: Portaging up Gantouw Pass
Maybe it’s because a bike race isn’t complete without some Type 2 fun, but portaging up the Gantouw Pass is a definite highlight. It really gives you an appreciation for how tough the pioneers who trekked up the pass with their ox wagons were, and once it’s conquered, the rest of the FNB W2W route is a cinch.
Switchback Pro: Portaging down Gantouw Pass
Going up is Type 2 fun; portaging down Gantouw is Type 1. It’s so much faster and its almost over before you know it. Unless you stop to take in the views, which you definitely should do, because they’re spectacular. On a clear day, you can easily make out Devil’s Peak and the eastern profile of Table Mountain.
OG/Switchback Pro: The Oak Valley Race Village
So many of the best things about FNB W2W can be grouped under the headline, Oak Valley. Rider dining, the FNB rider lounge, the Devil’s Peak Chill Zone, Platō coffee, the new bigger canvas tents, the showers with gas geysers and lots of hot water, the vibe, the stories, the catch-ups, and the Springbok games. Anyone who witnessed the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals, in the Oak Valley Race Village, will need no extra prompting to join again for 2027. This year, there’s the inaugural Nations Championship to take in. The Boks play Italy during the Chardonnay race, and France during the Shiraz.
Photo by Sam Clark/ Wines2Whales
OG/Switchback Pro: Play Day
Stage 2 is play day, and regardless of the OG or Switchback format, you know you’re in for a great day on the bike. The trails are prime, manicured and smooth in places, a little rocky and raw in others, there are bridges aplenty, and Cape Trails will be building more before the 2026 race – because they always do. It’s the perfect day, tough enough to be a challenge, but fun throughout, and will so many trails to choose from JK can always mix it up.
OG Pro: Descending Katpas
Katpas is the old dual track pass that links Elgin with the Overberg. It has steep sections to build up speed, and pedally bits too. Then, near the bottom, you divert into singletrack and fly down toward Botriver. On a day with more descending than climbing, Katpas is the longest downhill and provides a great reset before an undulating 35-kilometre run to the finish.
Switchback Pro: Houw Hoek Hotel Water Point
In the Switchback, you climb Katpas, which isn’t an alpine col, but it still takes its toll. At the summit, the oasis of the Houw Hoek Hotel Water Point awaits. For those who like to linger at water points, there’s Blaauwklippen wines to taste, while for the more hurried members of the field, a quick refuel with USN Sports Nutrition or a Peragine chocolate brownie will see you up the last of the climbs to the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre and the last water point of the day.
OG Pro: Finishing near Hermanus
Finishing at Benguela Cove is great because the food trucks and restaurants there are already so welcoming, but if your loved ones have come down to see you finish, you can also break away and go exploring. The Hermanus wine region is full of gems, and the town itself is a must-visit destination. Treat yourself to a second, post-stage race, lunch. You deserved it.
Switchback Pro: Finishing at Lourensford
Finishing at Lourensford is undoubtedly easier, logistically. The big drive was done on the morning of Stage 1, so after Stage 3, you are closer to home and closer to the airport. If feels like mountain biking has seeped into the soil in Lourensford, so a welcome across the final finish line there is just a little different. A bit special in a way that cannot quite be put into words.
What’s Your Favourite?
If you cannot decide which is your favourite, between the Original and Switchback routes, you’ll have to ride the 2026 edition to make an educated assessment. If you missed the 2025 Switchback edition of FNB W2W… well then you’ll have to ride 2026 and 2027 to judge for yourself.
Entries to the 2026 FNB Wines2Whales are open. Visit www.epic-series.com/races/wines2whales to secure your spot and follow @wines_2_whales on Instagram or like FNB Wines2Whales on Facebook to keep your GEES high from now until November.
| 2026 FNB Wines2Whales | |
| Start and Registration: | Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West |
| Race Village: | Oak Valley Wine Estate, Grabouw |
| Finish: | Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, Hermanus |
| Distance: | 190km with 4 500m of climbing |
| FNB W2W Chardonnay: | 6-8 November 2026 |
| FNB W2W Pinotage: | 9-11 November 2026 |
| FNB W2W Shiraz: | 13-15 November 2025 |
| Website: | www.epic-series.com/races/wines2whales |
| Instagram: | @wines_2_whales |
| Facebook: | FNB Wines2Whales |
| YouTube: | Epic Series Race the World |
