Cape Winelands Walk

An opportunity to discover the area between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. This is one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa with distinctive and spectacular countryside.

Overview

The Cape Winelands region is regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa. Of this the area between Somerset West and Stellenbosch is the jewel in the crown. The Cape Winelands Walk offers an opportunity to experience the splendour of this distinctive and spectacular countryside first-hand. Your journey will take you through pristine “fynbos” – the distinctive feature of the Cape Floral Region. You will walk along private and secure footpaths that wend their way through some of South Africa’s most esteemed wine estates – through an undulating and spectacularly varied countryside that will provide vista upon breathtaking vista.

Highlights

Mountains: Hottentots Holland- , Helderberg- & Stellenbosch mountains
"Fynbos" plants and wildlife: The Cape Floral Region is the smallest but richest of the world’s 6 floral regions- no less than 9,000 species.It has been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hot spots. A lecture about Fynbos is included in the program
Nature Reserve: Helderberg Nature Reserve, representing the Cape Floral Region and recognised as a World Heritage site
Views: Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Somerset West, False Bay, Stellenbosch & Cape Peninsula
Wine estates: Arguably some of the most beautiful wine estates in the world, with history dating back to 1700. Larger cellars offer organised tours and tastings and their own restaurants
Accommodation and restaurant options: 4 or 5 star hotel or guesthouse and a wide range of restaurants to choose from, serving everything from traditional South African food to international cuisine
Historic town: Discover South Africa’s second oldest town - Stellenbosch

Day 1 :

Arrival

Arrival in Somerset West for overnight

Day 2 :

Helderberg Nature Reserve

The walking trip starts in the remarkable fynbos-rich Helderberg Nature Reserve - abundant with a dazzling variety of birdlife - on the outskirts of the town of Somerset West. A nature guide will give an introduction on what nature has to offer in the Cape Winelands. From there we will follow our route through the vineyards of the stately Lourensford Wine Estate to the magnificent Vergelegen Wine Estate - which started out as VOC Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel’s folly, more than 300 years ago. You can end your day's adventure at Vergelegen or at Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate. Distance 10 km - Whole Day

Day 3 :

Lourensford Estate to Blaauwklippen Valley

You start the day on the Lourensford Wine Estate and head in a north westerly direction, via De Trafford Wines, towards Dornier Wine Estate and the Blaauklippen Valley. A vigorous walk through vineyards and pristine fynbos countryside, with breathtaking views of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range, False Bay - and into the distance the mountains of the Cape Peninsula towards Cape Point. Wine tasting and light lunch at De Trafford Wines. Distance 15 km - Whole Day, approx 7 hours

Day 4 :

Blaauwklippen Valley to Stellenbosch

Day 4: From Dornier Estate to Mont Marie Estate and Vriesenhof Estate on the western slopes of the Stellenbosch mountain in the Blaauwklippen valley and via Coetzenburg to Stellenbosch. Distance for the day 14 km. Option to include the Waterford Estate Porcupine Trail (5 km- 3 hours). For this inclusion on Day 4 there will be a route change and additional costs. The property is situated on the slopes of the beautiful Helderberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch region – the undisputed wine capital of South Africa. The Estate has chosen to use only half of the total land for the planting of vines, in order to preserve and maintain the natural flora and fauna of the beautiful Blaauwklippen (blue stone) valley. The Cape is home to the largest and most spectacular concentration of flowers and plants found anywhere on earth. Wine tasting and light lunch at Waterford Estate.

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Climate

Weather in the Western Cape Coastal region is mild Mediteranean. Rainfall measures up to 1 000 mm (40 inches) per year.

How to get there?

Somerset West is 35 km from Cape Town airport. Private transfers available on request – please ask for rates.

What to take?

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in day bag), day bag, swimming costume, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, rainproof, fleece, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.

When to go

Daily from beginning of October to end of April (high season). The route is also available during low season and may be at a reduced rate. Please contact us for details. Low season is a popular time for the locals in the mountains because of the cooler temperatures, although the weather is less predictable. Early reservation ensure that the best accommodation can be obtained.

Accommodation

You will stay in 4 star hotels/guesthouses. The Superior package offers superior 4 star rooms – and 5 star accommodation, if available. It is not a continuous walk. You will normally be based at two locations but it depends on availability. Transfers from arrival at the first hotel to the end of the trail are included in the package. Click on the pictures to view the high standard of accommodation:

Grading

Overall rating is moderate. You do not need to be ultra-fit but certainly able to walk between 12 and 25 kms per day and be able to cope with undulating countryside and some hills. The route takes you along stony mountain paths, along field and farm tracks and along country roads. The daily walking grades are as follows:

The 4 day route : Day 1 – Arrival, Day 2 – Easy, Day 3 – Challenging, Day 4 – Moderate.

The 5 day route: Day 1 – Arrival, Day 2 – Easy, Days 3 and 4 – Moderate and Day 5 – Easy

The 7 day route: Day 1 – Arrival, Day 2 – Easy, Days 3, 4 and 5 – Moderate, Day 6 – Challenging and Day 7 – Easy

Refer to Walking grades ,for definition of grades

Insurance

We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of you having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

Getting There

Somerset West is 35 km from Cape Town airport. Private transfers available on request – please ask for rates.

Wine Estates

You will walk across or visit award-winning wine estates famous for their wine and unique offerings:

Lourensford Estate, Somerset West, Vergelegen Estate, Somerset West, Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate, Somerset West, De Trafford Wines, Stellenbosch, Dornier Wines, Stellenbosch, Waterford Estate, Stellenbosch, Mont Marie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, Vriesenhof Vineyards, Stellenbosch

Reviews

Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided walking/hiking holiday offered by WalkingHolidays.co.za in South Africa : “Overall, the holiday was invigorating- You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our walking community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation” Read all Reviews

Cape Winelands- area information

The Cape Winelands Walk is in the area around Somerset West and Stellenbosch- the second oldest town in South Africa. The vegetation, Cape Fynbos, is the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. Find out about the history, the wine estates and Nature Reserves, etc. Go to Read more

Route description

Our detailed route notes and -description allow you to walk self-guided and at your own pace amid splendid scenery while we transport your luggage. As soon as we have finalised your booking and hotel schedule we will forward your Hotel guide per email. This will specify your hotel schedule and directions. (We are using different hotels/guest houses from time to time) The second component of your route description is your Route guide. This specially prepared guide include route notes, maps and GPS references. Going self-guided is simple and convenient with our Route-and Hotel guide. It allows you to set out when you like, stop where you want and visit sites en route that are of interest to you. The Route guide will be given to you on the date of your arrival.

Cape Winelands Walk