Road Trip up the Garden Route? Make This Place your First Stop!
If you’re planning a trip up the Garden Route, in South Africa, then we've got our top recommendation for your first stop.
Just an hour outside of Cape Town, you’ll find the breath-taking views of the mountains and valleys surrounding a picturesque town. Once there, you'll certainly want to stay so, with the help of TripAdvisor, we've compiled a list of the top things to do in Elgin, Grabouw.
CAPE CANOPY TOUR ZIPLINING
Only an hour from Cape Town, this is a must-do activity for all adventure and nature lovers alike! Cape Canopy Tour takes you on an unforgettable journey as you slide from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings of a World Heritage Site, the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, in the scenic Elgin Valley.
As one visitor, Hendel put it: "We arrived on a cool winter’s day at the Cape Canopy Tours and were welcomed by the warm-hearted staff and a cosy fire burning inside the reception/restaurant area. Check-in was seamless and soon we had our safety briefing after which we were issued with a harness and safety equipment. The tour started off with a scenic drive up into the mountains to where the canopy tour started. What breath-taking views awaited us! The staff on the tour was great and assured us of our safety. This is definitely one thing you must do if you are in the area!"
Josh had this to say: "The whole experience was superb. From the safety aspect to the scenery and to the fun, cheerful and professional guides. I would recommend this activity to anybody seeking out an incredible outdoor adventure in the Cape. To top it off, the nature reserve is beautiful. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!"
Start your canopy tour adventure and make a booking now.
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAIL
The Green Mountain Trail is a four-day hiking trail around the Green Mountain in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. Traversing a tapestry of fynbos and fruit farms this slackpack trail offers fine food and comfortable overnights in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. Accommodation is in four-star country guesthouses. Delicious, wholesome meals are provided throughout. The trail meanders around the Groenlandberg, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Guided by THETA accredited guides you learn about the biodiversity and the history of the area.
Swimming in rock pools and dams on a hot day is as refreshing for the body as it is for the soul. The Green Mountain Trail is a moderate walking trail with distances varying between 11kms and 18kms each day. The effort level, as gauged by Slackpacker S.A., is set at 3.5 with 5 being the most difficult. The trail traverses the privately-owned land. All landowners are members of the Green Mountain Eco Route, the world’s first biodiversity wine route, and part of the region’s efforts to conserve the environment and promote responsible tourism.
"We did this wonderful trail last month. Beautiful scenery, knowledgeable, delightful guides, great food and accommodation, wine tastings, friendly, helpful staff all combine to create a memorable walk. The walking itself is varied, along with tracks and pathways that are very manageable. The trail is efficiently run, nothing is too much trouble for any of the staff. You'll miss something marvellous if you don't do it", says Jane.
A New Hampshire visitor had this to say: "We have experienced a number of slackpacking trails in various countries. The Green Mountain Trail was one of the better ones. The trail was expertly guided and otherwise well supported. The accommodations and food were excellent. Highly recommended. Anyone who loves being active in an interesting landscape would enjoy this trail, people who have an interest in botany and geology would especially enjoy this adventure."
THE PEREGRINE FARM STALL
Situated in the beautiful and fertile Elgin Valley, Peregrine offers an abundance of locally sourced artisanal goods and wholesome, responsibly farmed, fresh produce. Established in the 1960's, Peregrine has been serving generations of travellers seeking honest homemade fare and warm country hospitality.
As MJ puts it: "Peregrine is one of my favourite places to pop into when on a road trip! Warm, friendly service with delicious home-cooked meals. Prices very reasonable. Fun to browse too and indulge in baked homemade goodies."
ALMENKERK WINE ESTATE
Almenkerk Wine Estate, in the cool Elgin Valley, is a real Family Estate, owned by the van Almenkerk Family and run by Natalie & Joris van Almenkerk. Life is indeed beautiful on Almenkerk Wine Estate.
One visitor, Elise notes: "When in Elgin don't miss a wine tasting at the beautifully situated Almenkerk cellar. The views down the valley are breath-taking. The tasting room is extremely well decorated and the wines are great".
Another visitor, Brooke boasts about the Estate: "We decided to make a spontaneous trip to Elgin to try out the wines the region has to offer and we were very pleased with the wines which really were fantastic. I can’t say there was a single wine I didn’t enjoy, each with their own merit. Well worth the visit, and looking forward to cracking open the bottles we took away with us!
If by chance you've had a bit too much wine from wine tasting or are just exhausted from a day full of adventuring, we recommend this idyllic spot to rest your weary head.
STONEPEAK MOUNTAIN LODGE
This self-catering accommodation is nestled within a thriving apple farm. You can easily find this farmstead, opposite Oude Molen Distillery on the edge of Grabouw in Elgin Valley.
There are two choices of accommodation - traditional Farmstead with large rooms, wooden floors, leather couches and antiques on Chosen Farm of organic apples and garlic as well as horses or a newly renovated cottage, the “Upcycled Green Cottage” which offers guests a more modern approach with 90% recycled, renewed or rebuilt material.
Ready for an adventure? You can book conveniently online.
View all our Cape Town and surrounding adventures, here.
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Shannon De Kock
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