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Half-day and Day Winelands Hikes

Walks and hikes in the Cape Winelands!

All the hikes below are full day hikes unless specifically stated as half-day. All these hikes can be shortened to fit into a half day (3-4 hours) – the sections that are retained depend on the client’s interests.

Olive and Buchu Trail

Scenic walk starting with a tractor ride from Diemersfontein to the foot of the original Du Toitskloof Pass where hiking will commence. We  traverse on contours through fynbos to Paarl Forestry Station. Then we descend upon the oldest and biggest buchu farm in the RSA,  through the upper reaches of Buffet Olive Estate down to the Buchu factory, all the while having exquisite views of Drakenstein Mountains, the unique fynbos, indigenous trees and extensive olive groves. Lunch at the impresssive Cascade Manor with its gushing waterfall and then on to Drakenstein Olives for a tasting of olives, olive oil, tapenade and olive jam.(Not on weekends – then olives can be tasted at lunch) From there through Valencia to historic Kleinbosch with an optional visit to the Huguenot Memorial School and graveyard.

 6 hours excluding stops. A few mild uphills, mostly downhills and contours.  

Bovlei Trail

 (Please note that a shuttle will have to be used to get hikers to starting point – this will involve transport costs)

Hike starts at the tunnel half way up the Bain's Kloof Pass. We descend from there through the fynbos into the Doolhof Valley for the first wine tasting at the Doolhof Cellar. From there we walk to the historic Welvanpas, where Voortekker Piet Retief lived, for an optional tasting. Then on to Nabygelegen for a tasting and lunch. We continue to De Compagnie for a brandy tasting followed by a visit to Jennie Ferreira’s prize winning garden (August to November) Then past Jannie Bosman’s vine cutting plantations (largest in Southern Hemisphere) to an optional visit to the 2nd oldest Mission Church in RSA. From there we proceed to the Redemption Leather Factory where the hike ends.  

This is a very picturesque area with the highest concentration of Cape Dutch homesteads in the country. Very suitable for wine lovers and those with a keen interest in history and architecture.

About 4 hours excluding stops. Only downhills

Lelienfontein to Linton Park

We start at Lelienfontein and Groenfontein with its beautiful gardens and Cape Dutch homesteads and have our first tasting at their new cellar. Then we ascend through the vineyards to the slopes of Groenberg from where the views of the mountains and other Cape manor houses are magnificent. We then proceed to the historic Slangrivier manor house (Linton Park) for a tasting. Then on  to the Boere-Barok Restaurant for lunch followed by a visit to the Redemption Leather Factory and Bovlei Cellar for a final tasting. 

 6 hours excluding stops. Mild uphill at the start, then mostly downhill.

Happy Valley Trail

We start hiking at the Neck of Bain's Kloof Pass (Eerste Tol)  and walk all along the Witte River to Junction Pool, passing the ruins of Wolkerus, the palacial homestead built by a Wellington businessman in the early 20th century. We proceed to Junction Pool for a picnic lunch and a swim and return along the same route.

Wonderful stories, views and fynbos! Permits from Nature Conservation imperative.

9 kilometres. Mostly flat, very mild uphills at first

Bobbejaansrivier Trail

Also starting at Eerste Tol, we walk through pristine fynbos into this ravine with its wonderful golden pools and waterfalls.

We turn back at the highest waterfall and small canyon to have a picnic lunch along the way.

Hikers must be relatively fit. 10 kilometres. Mild uphill, downhill back. Permits imperative.

Diemersfontein – Hildenbrand Trail (Half day only)

 We start with a tractor ride to the top of the hill at Diemersfontein and then commence hiking through the buchu fields at Uitkyk Farm where hikers will be given information about this herb. We proceed through vineyards to the Horseshoe Road and hike past the historic Blouvlei farms to Hildenbrand Estate for a wine, olive and olive oil tasting. We return via the Trekpad (old cattle track) to Diemersfontein for wine tasting and an optional lunch at the Seasons Restaurant.

 No uphills, level and downhills. 2 hours excluding stops.

All trails and hikes are organised and scheduled on request. Please book all trails and hikes at least seven days in advance for short hikes and fourteen days in advance for long trails and hikes.