THE COURSE
NEW ROUTE FOR 2026
The initial 2026 route has been revised due to storm damage and ongoing road repairs affecting sections of the original course.
5KM SWIM - 176KM CYCLE | 52KM RUN
Start Time 05H00
WHOLE ROUTE GPX
SWIM COURSE - 5KM
The race will start on the jetty next to Sirocco at 05:00 and follow a clockwise direction towards the Knysna Heads and Leisure Isle. The outgoing current will help athletes get into the rhythm before the turn point. Once around the turn, athletes will then swim into the outgoing low tide as they head back and past the swim exit at the SA National Parks and to the second turn point near Laguna Grove. The final stretch of the swim will be with the outgoing current and towards the finish at the SA National Parks Board slipway.
Low Tide - 08H21 | High Tide - 02H23
Cut-off time for the Swim is 07H30
*swim route may vary depending on current and tide on the day*
CYCLE COURSE - 176KM (2,331m elevation)
The 2026 bike course follows a scenic out-and-back route along the iconic Garden Route coastline. Starting in Knysna, athletes will ride east along the N2 through Plettenberg Bay to the turnaround point near Nature's Valley. On the return journey, the route takes a slight detour through Plettenberg Bay and along Airport Road before heading back towards Knysna. Rather than entering transition immediately, athletes will continue through Knysna, loop around the Knysna Estuary, and ride to a second turnaround point at Buffels Bay. From there, the course heads west towards Sedgefield before the final turnaround, with athletes returning to Transition on Thesen Island in Knysna. While the revised course is predominantly coastal, it still delivers a demanding ride with spectacular ocean views and the endurance challenge expected of the Knysna Extreme.
Cut-off time for the Cycle is 17H00
RUN COURSE - 52KM (1,353m elevation)
The 2026 run course has been revised following the changes to the bike route while still delivering the iconic finish of the Knysna Extreme. Athletes will begin their 52km run from Transition on Thesen Island in Knysna, following the same route as the Half Extreme for the first 20km. From there, the course heads into the surrounding forests and plantations before rejoining the original Prince Alfred's Pass route at the Buffelsnek Checkpoint. The final section follows the legendary Prince Alfred's Pass, descending through the indigenous forest to the finish line at Diepwalle Forest Station. The revised course remains every bit as challenging, combining demanding climbs, spectacular scenery, and an unforgettable finish.
Cut-Off time for the Run is 24H00
