The Elgin Valley is a lush wine and fruit growing region just 45 minutes from Cape Town, accessed via the N2 and over the scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Find Elgin Valley and Groenlandberg on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Elgin is a small working town, but the surrounding area has an abundance of farm stalls, wine estates, nature trails and outdoor activities.
The Groenlandberg is 34000ha of extraordinary fauna and flora. This includes some of the largest sections of pristine Renosterveld, which is listed as highly endangered vegetation. Leopard, birds, small mammals and a variety of antelope are found here. The Groenlandberg Conservancy is a voluntary conservation forum established in 1994 by a handful of farmers, led by Dr Paul Cluver of the famed Paul Cluver Wine Estate. The members are all committed to environmental conservation, sustainability and social upliftment in this environmentally rich biosphere.
The magnificent hiking trails and adventurous ziplining experience are in the rugged Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and mountains accessed via the picturesque Viljoen’s Pass.
Elgin is an outdoor paradise and eco-tourists dream. Popular activities in the area include bike and running trails in areas of outstanding beauty, walks to waterfalls and lakes, through forests, fynbos and over mountains that are often snowcapped in winter. Night time reveals its own wonders and you might be lucky enough to spot a wildcat, small deer or an owl. This is a birdwatching hotspot.
There is a variety of accommodation on offer from remote rustic cabins, glamping tents or Airstream trailers, to cosy B & B’s, luxury guesthouses and lakeside chalets.
Foodies will enjoy the plentiful farm stalls selling fresh, seasonal produce and wholesome jams, preserves, bread and more. The slow living culture is the celebrated lifestyle here. Farm to fork is the norm and most entertainment involves plenty of fresh air outdoors.
As a top apple producing area, Elgin offers an excellent craft cider. Buy it or go for a tasting and learn about this old tradition that has been revitalized with a most delicious result.
A cool climate equals cool wines, this is what the 22 wine farmers in the valley say. The wine estates in the tiny Bot River area are extremely proud their distinct, laid-back identity and many of the boutique wineries welcome the public as walk-ins or by appointment.
Part of this unique identity is the annual “Beards and Barrels Festival, a weekend-long event held to celebrate the harvest in Botriver. The winemakers all stop shaving at the start of the harvest and the various beards are judged and awarded prizes during the festival, just one of the crazy, lighthearted fun activities of this wine lovers must visit event.
The Elgin Valley and Groenlandberg is an ideal destination of families, foodies, adventurers and wine lovers.
Elgin Valley and Groenlandberg are located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Open 7 Days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 70.3km
Where: R321
Contact: +27 (0)83 414 0552 | www.sanparks.org
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.