Elgin Grabouw Tourism

Active @Almenkerk

T.  021 848 9844
E.  info@almenkerk.co.za
W. Almenkerk.co.za
Contact.  Office

Enjoy a fun hike with activity stations!

Put on your running or hiking shoes and come enjoy the custom built trail at Almenkerk Wine Estate in the green and cool Elgin Valley. The trail takes you through our vineyards, apple and pear orchards, excites and delights with 7 different activity stations to keep it fun and interesting. There are some information boards with background info on Almenkerk, the farm, the wine and its people. The trail is 5 kms long, with a possible extension of 2 kms which takes you up and down our nature conservation section which is protected by WWF.

Entry – R40 per person. Kids are free.

The entry fee goes entirely to alien clearing.

Upon return, guests get a free glass of Lace by Almenkerk wine at the Almenkerk Tasting Room.

Our map is available via this link https://www.almenkerk.co.za/trail-map/

No booking required.

Opening times:

Tuesday until Saturday (Closed on Sunday and Monday) – trail opens at 8:30 and last departures at 3 pm.

4Venture

T.  +27 82 424 2635
E.  info.4venture@gmail.com
W. 4venturesouthafrica.com
Contact.  Martin van Niekerk

An off road experience into the Hottentots Holland Mountains above Grabouw, overlooking the beautiful apple producing area of Elgin. We combine the thrill and excitement of professional off roading with the luxury of premium hospitality and rustic dining. We also offer Off Road Wine Tours in the Valley

Cape Canopy Tour

T.  +27 21 3000 501
E.  zipline@capecanopytour.co.za
W. capecanopytour.co.za
Contact.  Ryan Larkman

Situated in a World Heritage Site within Cape Nature’s Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Cape Canopy Tour is a system of cables and platforms that allows guests to explore a previously inaccessible ecosystem, with breath taking views.  This award-winning eco-tourism activity not only allows people to experience the Cape fold mountains at their best, but is also a platform to showcase the beauty of the plant and wildlife species surrounding them.

The 4-5 hour tour consists of eleven thrilling slides, some over 300m long, each ending on a platform, constructed on the cliffs and fynbos covered mountain slopes, above the Riviersonderend Gorge.  A unique suspension bridge between a narrow sandstone ravine, high above a spectacular double waterfall, is guaranteed to be one of the unforgettable highlights of the tour.

What’s Included:

• • All gear and equipment
  • Cape Nature Park Fee
  • A return 4x4 trip through the reserve
  • Fully Nature Guided Tour along 13 elevated platforms
  • A secret snack Stop on route (biscuit and juice / hot chocolate)

Cheverells Farm

T.  +27 60 861 1044
E.  cheverellsfarm@gmail.com
W. cheverellsfarm.com
Contact.  Cath Boome

Elgin Adventure Centre

T.  +27 61 5269 304
E.  explore@elginadventurecentre.co.za
W. elginadventurecentre.co.za
Contact.  Quintin Smith

Elgin Adventure Centre specializes in everything adventure. Let Elgin Adventure Centre be your one stop shop for everything adventure. From bicycle rentals for the do-it-yourself visitors to fully guided day tours, we bring you the very best that this mesmerizing valley has to offer.

Whether it be private tours, group tours or corporate events, we work with the whole valley to curate adventures such as:

• Sip and Cycle wine tasting tours
• MTB Bike or E-bike tours and rentals
• Guided wine tastings
• Secluded picnic locations
• Guided hikes and walks for all fitness levels
• 4x4, Quadbike, Zipline excursions
• Corporate and group events

ElginETC

M.  +27 82 220 6443 / +27 82 372 2412
E.  deborah@elgin-etc.com / jamie@elgin-etc.com
W. elgin-etc.com
Contact.  Deborah Smook / Jamie Ingram
Address. 15 Worcester Street, Grabouw 7160

ElginETC is a curated experiences company based in the heart of the Elgin Valley. Your one stop shop to experience Elgin and beyond. Whether you are looking for a quick add on, full day, stay over, or several day option – we've got you covered. Try any of our themed Elgin packages: Edible Elgin | Extreme Elgin | Elegant Elgin, or personalise your own in The Elgin Equation – either way we will have you entertained! We also have our own Elgin Express transport to get you around – ensuring ElginETC connects all your experiences.

Elgin Leisure Tours

Ian Robertson.  +27 82 460 6046
Richard Portmann. +27 83 629 4171
E.  info@elginleisuretours.co.za
W. elginleisuretours.co.za

Guided farm walks, picnics and wine tastings by MTB or car in the Elgin Valley.

Elgin Railway Market

T.  +27 21 204 1158
E.  info@elginrailwaymarket.co.za
W. elginrailwaymarket.co.za
Contact.  Roger Orpen

An old apple warehouse became a bustling steampunk station market boasting local vendors, live music and a gateway to the beautiful Overberg town.

Green Mountain Trail

T.  +27 28 284 9827
E.  info@greenmountaintrail.co.za
W. greenmountaintrail.co.za
Contact.  Alison Green

Listed in UK's The Daily Telegraph’s South Africa’s Top 20 as “Explore the Cape Floral Kingdom by day, then sample the fine wines produced by it’s terroir at night … a guided hike, with a walking stick carved from alien species, is the best way to marvel at Unesco-designated Kogelberg Biosphere – which is home to some 1 880 identified plant species.  The four-day, 38-mile (60km) Green Mountain Trail option takes you through the Groenlandberg Conservancy, the world’s first biodiversity wine route. Art-filled Wildekrans Country House, a destination in its own right, is an agreeable place to stay.”

• Luxurious four day slackpack
• 2020 Travellers Choice award (TripAdvisor)
• Knowledgeable, accredited and passionate guiding
• Four star farm stays
• Lunch in fynbos and on wine farms
• Elgin and Bot River wine tastings
• Hike through fruit farms, fynbos and vines
• Bountiful bird and animal life
• Moderate level of fitness required
• Community walking stick

Long Shadows Farm

M.  +27 83 987 5703
E.  sharon@longshadowsfarm.co.za
W. longshadowsfarm.co.za
Address. Portion 16 of Arieskraal, Viljoenshoop Road, Elgin
Contact.  Sharon Orpen

Horse-back riding with trail rides tailor made to suit the level of experience in each individual booking. Lessons, birthday parties, holiday camps and livery also available.

Old Mac Daddy

T.  +27 21 844 0241
M. +27 79 276 9342
E.  info@oldmacdaddy.co.za
W. oldmacdaddy.co.za
Contact.  Hulandi Bester

Set amongst the apple orchards, Old Mac Daddy offers open spaces, mountain paths, a lakeside beach and plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family.  (Please call in advance as we may be closed for private functions).

These activities include - Archery, Mountain Biking, Nature Walks, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Tractor Rides, Fishing on a catch-and-release basis (depending on dam stock level).

Paul Cluver MTB

T.  +27 21 844 0605
E.  info@cluver.com
W. cluver.com
Contact.  Sharon Mars

The Paul Cluver MTB trails have a variety of options from Jeep track to ample single track with lovely bridges built from alien vegetation or old wine barrels. Do come and explore.

Trail's End

T.  +27 21 859 5193
E.  accommodation@trailsend.bike
W. trailsend.bike

Adventure awaits! Looking for an Adrenalin-fueled or chilled breakaway? Our little piece of the Overberg boasts plenty of hidden gems.

Trail's End Bicycle Museum

T.  +27 21 859 5193
E.  info@trailsend.bike
W. trailsend.bike

First bicycle museum in Africa opens in partnership with Franschhoek Motor Museum

Africa’s first bicycle museum, which showcases the history of the invention of the wheel and pedal-powered transport, has opened in the small Western Cape town of Grabouw, an hour drive from Cape Town.

The museum, which is the brainchild of Trail’s End Bike Hotel owner, Pieter Silberbauer, takes visitors on a journey of the history of the bicycle that dates back hundreds of years. Wayne Harley of the Franchhoek Motor Museum (FMM) and Professor Mike Bruton (retired CEO of the MTN Science Centre) gave invaluable input in the curating of the museum.

One of the historic highlights of the museum is a life-size mock-up of the first known bicycle design, which is widely believed to have been invented by Leonardi da Vinci in the 15h00s. While well before its time, Da Vinci’s bicycle wouldn’t have gone very far, as it didn’t include any steering mechanism, explains Silberbauer.

There is also a life-size model of Baron Karl van Drais’ “Draisine”, which was invented in 1817 and is considered the world’s first bicycle. Drais discovered that one could move very fast by placing wheels in a line on a frame and balancing through dynamic steering. It is interesting to note that the Draisine was very similar to a modern-day toddler “balance bike”, as it did not include any pedals. 

The FMM partnered with Trail’s End Bike Hotel for the Bicycle Museum initiative, loaning Silberbauer several interesting and historic bicycles that it had previously been holding in storage. 

In total there are 24 pieces on display, many of which are South African creations or whimsical in nature, such as the “bat-glider” and a specially designed surfboard carrying bicycle. The walls of the museum are adorned with old cycling posters which track the development of this iconic mode of transport through the years. There are penny farthings galore and early racing bikes, dating back to the 1800s, which feature wooden wheels and handlebars to create a faster and more lightweight bicycle. 

This eclectic collection is on display at Trail’s End Bike Hotel. Day visitors are charged R20 per adult, while entrance for children accompanied by an adult is free. A tour of the bicycle museum is complimentary for hotel guests.