A walk through the pristine Cape Winelands region of South Africa.
The Cape Winelands region is regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa – while the area between Somerset West and Stellenbosch is seen as the jewel in the crown. The Cape Winelands Walk offers an opportunity to experience the splendour of distinctive and spectacular countryside first-hand, and in depth – covering a distance of some 100kms (60 miles) over six days. Your journey will take you through pristine “fynbos”. The Cape Floral Region is the smallest but richest of the world’s 6 floral kingdoms with no less than 9,000 species. You will walk along private and secure footpaths that find their way through some of South Africa’s most esteemed wine estates – through an undulating and spectacularly varied countryside that will reveal vista upon breath-taking vista.
Price:
£1,245 per person for two people sharing
Superior accommodation on request
Costs for an extra night (night 7) in Stellenbosch – standard and superior accommodation available – on request.
Included:
Not Included:
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
When to Go:
October to April is high season.
Day 1:
Arrival in Somerset West for overnight.
Day 2:
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. This includes a lecture on what nature has to offer over the next 5 days. From there we will follow our route through the vineyards of the stately Lourensford Wine Estate, to end our day’s adventure on the magnificent Vergelegen Wine Estate – which started out as VOC Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel’s folly, more than 300 years ago.
Distance 10km (6 miles) – Whole Day.
Day 3:
You start the day on the Lourensford Wine Estate and head into a vaguely north westerly direction, 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 further into the distance Table Mountain and the mountains towards Cape Point.
Distance 19km (11,4 miles) – Whole Day; approx 7 – 8 hours.
Day 4:
From the Blaauklippen Valley we head towards a Guest House in the Jonkershoek Valley, via Vriesenhof Wine Estate and Coetzenburg. The extravagant variety of fynbos in the area we walk through is simply astounding. You will probably not see much of the local wildlife, but you will come across the spoor and scat of a variety of antelope and hear the bark of troops of baboons.
Distance 19km (11.4 miles) – Whole Day; approx 7 – 8 hours.
Day 5:
In the Jonkershoek Valley, we head into the varied and sometimes rugged handsome terrain of the Jonkershoek State Forest with its countless unexpected vistas and another colourful celebration of fynbos magnificence. Walk a 10km circle route in Jonkershoek and/or hire a mountain bike at the entrance gate to experience some of the bike routes. Walk 3/6km route in Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve (optional). Weather permitting the picturesque Panorama route is also an option for the more experienced and fit.
Distance 17-20 km – Whole Day; 7-8 hours.
Day 6:
On route to your last guest house in Stellenbosch enjoy the wonderful view over Drakenstein Peak, Boschendal and the Banhoek Valley from the nek north of Square Tower Peak in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Distance 20 km – Whole Day; 8 hours.
Day 7:
After Cape Town, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s oldest settlement, and steeped in a fascinating and convoluted history. Because of that our day-long walk is through the proud old university town with its countless splendidly preserved buildings. This promises to be a walk though history.
Distance 10km (6 miles).
Departure.
Extra nights possible on request.
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.
