Course Info
Course Overview
Our course team has scoured the South West Region in search of the best trails to put your two tires on, including endless days spent out riding trails (that must be so hard for them...) but they always come up with the goods, and 2023 will be no different.
Check out the 2023 course overview below for a high level view of what you can expect come October, and stay tuned for 2023 Stage Maps being released clsoer to the event!
Map Overview
All stages are subject to change.
Cape to Cape courses can only be ridden in their full format at event time. Locals heroes open up their gates and allow access to their private land for the C2C riders as the event benefits the community in so many ways. Please respect private property and make sure we are able to continue accessing these tracks by not pre-riding the course.
2023 Course Details
Our 2023 stages are here - and they're absolute rippers! We've taken all the best bits of the last 15 years of Cape to Cape - from the Cape Leeuwin start to the Boranup Forest, to the iconic Margaret River trails and CBCo. venue, to the finish up at the northern Cape Naturaliste to round out your week of riding - all to celebrate 15 years of good times rolling! Check out your stage details below and get your froth on for October!
All courses are subject to change up until race morning briefing.
Stage 1 – Cape Leeuwin
START & FINISH: Cape Leeuwin
DISTANCE: 36km
CLIMBING: 790m
It’s the most iconic start line in Australian MTB Stage Racing – the roll out from Cape Leeuwin remains the grand depart of Cape to Cape for 2023!
With the lighthouse towering in the background, waves crashing against the cape and the hills looming – Stage One’s roll out is grandiose to say the least. Riders will thunder up Skippy Rock Road in a peloton far cooler than any at the TDF, before dropping into a mix of single trail, fire road and gravel punctuated by rolling hills and a few steep, sharp climbs.
Stage One is all about setting yourself up for the week, settling into the groove and finding your place in the pack. You’ll get the heart pumping over the climbs, but the views as you send it back down Skippy Rock Road towards the lighthouse and finish line will be all worthwhile!
The course crew has made a few tweaks to this years stage - removing a brutal up/down/up section, but the heart and soul of this stage remains the same - an epic start to your race week!
Start & Finish
Still saving lives from dusk to dawn, Cape Leeuwin lighthouse is the stunning start and finish line of Stage 1. Dripping with history and stories of tragedy and daring rescue it will get you in the mood for an epic 4 days of riding.
Perched on Australia’s most south-westerly tip, it will be hard to peel your eyes away from the breathtaking views across the rugged coastline and treacherous ocean. As you head out for 39km of great riding remember you’ll be back to savour that view with a well-earned post-ride feed and frothy.
Stage 2 – Boranup
START & FINISH: Mr Barval Wines
DISTANCE: 55km
CLIMBING: 550m
With the towering trees and snaking trails in Boranup forest, the highway to hell section with coastal views to die for, and a vineyard setting for your start and finish – we can definitely crown Stage 2 the Queen for 2023.
Boranup Forest underwent significant damage from fires in late 2021, but we’re happy to see it regenerating and our course team is getting to work developing trails for riders again. Add to that some of the finest wines in the region on tap at the finish line, and some gourmet food offerings to boot – you’ve got yourself a stage for the books!
We're also headed back to the winery venue at Mr Barval wines - another winery in the South West to tick off your list, for some quality post-ride beverages and relaxing scenes amongst the vines.
START & FINISH
It wouldn't be a trip to the South West without a visit to a winery, and Mr Barval Fine Wines is yet another one of the hundreds of wineries you'll find in the South West region - an area known for producing some of the best wine in Australia. Mr Barval means Margaret River Barolo Valtellina, two of the varieties produced at the vineyard. Be sure to sample some of their finest post-stage as you kick back between the vines after completing half of your Cape to Cape journey!
Stage 3 - Margaret River
START & FINISH: CBCo.
DISTANCE: 51km
CLIMBING: 550m
It's a fan favourite stage and for good reason - Cape to Cape would not be complete without a stage on the famous trails next to Margaret River - Compartment 10 and the Pines!
We're headed back to CBCo. for the stage venue this year, also a fan favourite not just for it's fantastic beverages but for it's kick-back and relax vibe. After departing CBCo., we roll towards a lineup of trails ahead that will have you flowing better than beer out of the keg, with berms, rollovers and machine smooth compacted trail beneath your tyres – think pure MTB heaven!
Once you’re almost single-trailed out, we’ll burn it back through the bush for a round of the region’s finest bevvies next to the lake to celebrate just one stage remaining!
START & FINISH
You love it, we love it - CBCo. is back for 2024! We couldn't have a 15th edition of Cape to Cape without visiting our favourite brewery in the region, where the beers are almost as good as the single track on offer during the stage. Our recommendation would have to be the Pale Ale, but it's hard to miss a beat with any of their selection on tap!
Stage 4 – Cape Naturaliste
START & FINISH: Wise Winery
DISTANCE: 33km
CLIMBING: 620m
Rounding out the 15th Cape to Cape anywhere else just wouldn't be the same, so we're stoked to be heading back to Cape Naturaliste and Wise Wines for Stage 4!
A brief encounter with the coast up at Eagle Bay to kick things off, before you head for the trails of Zone 6 and the Golf Course in Dunsborough. You’ll zig and zag your way through here until your heart’s content before the final section up to roll under the finish arch and mark yourself a Cape to Cape finisher!
START & FINISH
Wise Winery sits atop a ridge overlooking the stunning turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Eagle Bay, Meelup Beach and Castle Bay, making it the only South West winery with ocean views.
Established back in 1992 by Ron and Sandra Wise, the venue sits nestled between the vines and the bush of the Meelup National Park - perfect for post-ride relaxation.
Just a stone's throw from Cape Naturaliste itself, it's highly recommended you head up to the iconic lighthouse post-stage to take in the beauty and majesty of the Cape and reflect on the past four days!
All courses are subject to change up until race morning briefing.
Handcycles
Cape to Cape 2023 welcomes handcyclists on all 4 stages of the event.
Our fantastic course team have created diversions to ensure the trails with limited space and log roll overs are taken out allowing you to have the best experience possible on your handcycle.
Handcycles will need to bear in mind that there are some water crossings that couldn’t be avoided. Your support rider will be vital to get you through them!
For more information, or to help you be as prepared as possible please contact capetocape@ironman.com
