This view-drenched valley of plenty is so much more than a pitstop.
There are hidden gems, and then there are gems that hide in plain sight. The Elgin Valley is one such not-so-hidden gem, often dismissed as a mere pitstop on the way to somewhere else. But don’t miss out: bounded by majestic mountains and stretched out like a gently rumpled duvet, this expansive, undulating valley is a slice of paradise. Expect blossoming apple trees, brilliant green vines, rich, red earth, riotous birdsong and even the occasional caracal – all just an easy hour’s drive from Cape Town. You’re likely to begin on well-trodden ground – at either Peregrine or Houw Hoek farm stalls, both of which are popular for good reason – but then it’s time to take the road less travelled, leaving the rush of the N2 far behind as you enter the Cape’s verdant orchard. Happy wandering.
Things to do
Wine farms to visit
Where to eat
Where to stay
Things to do
Cape Canopy Tours
Soar Tarzan-style through an aerial playground of fynbos, forests, majestic gorges and thundering waterfalls on this half-day zipline adventure deluxe. Based in the scenic Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve, the Cape Canopy tour has opened up previously inaccessible parts of this craggy wilderness. It all kicks off with a bumpy 4×4 ride high into the mountains (they call it their African massage), where guests are attached to sturdy cables that run from platform to platform, and supervised by professional guides. There are 11 slides in total – the longest is 330 metres – plus a thrilling walk across a suspension bridge spanning a gorge with a majestic double waterfall.
Good to know Maximum weight is 120kg; group size eight people. Tandem rides are required for those under 50kg (children aged 5 – 9 years).
Times Daily, 9am – 1pm
Cost R1 195
Where to find it Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve, R321, Grabouw
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Elgin River Lodge
Welcome to one of the Overberg’s best waterways for aquatic activities: the calm, clear Palmiet River. As its name suggests, Elgin River Lodge has 2.5km of river frontage on an apple farm, where you can step straight off the lawns and into the cool water. Day tripping city-slickers can enjoy all kinds of water-based fun here – from canoeing and tubing to a zipline into the water and a barge for a sundowner cruise. When you’re feeling peckish, there’s no better place to go than the warm and inviting Toad on the River restaurant, with its breathtakingly scenic riverside deck and its family-friendly, pub-style menu.
Opening times Sunday – Friday, 10am – 4pm (booking is essential for day visits)
Contact 021 846 8345, info@elginriverlodge.co.za
Where to find it Mofam Farm, Appletiser Road, Elgin Valley, Grabouw
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Mountain-biking from Trail’s End
Mark Sampson
Elgin is paradise for mountain-bikers – and the 187 varied trails of the Grabouw Forest Trail network start (or end, depending on your perspective) at the aptly named Trail’s End Bike Hotel. Being the first bike hotel in Africa, it’s geared (if you’ll forgive the pun) for mountain-bikers and trail-runners alike, with an onsite swimming pool, a wellness centre, a fitness zone, a repair workshop, a fun bike-training area and a mini pumptrack and climbing wall for the kids. But you don’t even have to be an avid rider to appreciate the hotel’s fascinating Bicycle Museum (again, the first of its kind in Africa), where the walls are literally lined with bikes – from the very first prototype to the bicycle Riaan Manser used to circumnavigate the continent.
Opening times The Bicycle Museum is open from 8am – 4pm every day, but we recommend calling ahead to ensure that the tour guide is available.
Contact 021 859 5193, info@trailsend.bike
Where to find it Worcester Road, Grabouw
Elgin Railway Market
This is a market you visit for its unique setting, jaw-dropping design and inviting atmosphere, as well as its wares. It’s housed in a former apple warehouse, which has been transformed into a spacious Art Deco slash steampunk-style venue, complete with elaborate wrought-iron arches, overhanging bridges, huge ceiling fans and gleaming lanterns. The stalls offer produce, jewellery, clothing, decor, vintage items, toys and much more. Choose from a variety of delicious global fare and great coffee – and don’t leave without sampling the local L-Gin cocktails and cool-climate wines. There’s live music on weekends and, for children – apart from exploring the fascinating building and climbing up the Silo Tower – lots of fun on the jungle gym and roundabouts. The arrival of the puffing steam train, of course, is a highlight no matter your age.
Good to know Make an adventure of it and book tickets for the Ceres Rail vintage steam train, which runs from Cape Town on certain weekends, delivering passengers straight to the market.
Dog-friendly? Yes, in the outside sections
Opening times Saturday + Sunday, 9am – 4pm (full market)
Wednesday + Friday, 4pm – 8.30pm (bar plus limited food traders)
Monday, Tuesday + Thursday, 8.30am – 4pm (no food traders, only coffee)
Contact 021 204 1158, info@elginrailwaymarket.co.za
Where to find it Elgin Station, Oak Avenue, Elgin
Wine farms to visit
Iona Wines
“It’s the coolest, highest winery in Elgin with a view over the whole valley,” enthuses proprietor Andrew Gunn about his vineyard rooted 420m above sea level. He’s married to fine artist Rozy, who has lent her eye to the grounds and tasting room (expect arresting art aplenty), and had a strong influence on the estate’s sustainable farming practices. Iona focuses on producing age-worthy, elegant sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir. The tasting room features two of the owner’s fabulous classic cars (which he apparently drives regularly), and leads out to a shady lawn with truly spectacular views of the valley.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm
Contact 028 284 9678, orders@iona.co.za
Where to find it Highlands Road, Elgin Valley
Almenkerk Wine Estate
When the Almenkerk family came to the Elgin Valley from Belgium in 2002, this small family wine estate was still an apple farm – albeit with stunning views over the Elgin Valley. Now with 15 hectares under vines and plenty of picturesque pockets of apple orchard still remaining, it’s a charming boutique wine farm crafting elegant wines, with a lovely garden terrace and koi pond outside the tasting room. A fabulous platter of charcuterie, olives, melba toast and cheeses such as Langbaken Karoo Crumble and Dalewood Camembert turns a wine-tasting into an ample lunch. No visit is complete without chatting to Famous Moeketsi, the effervescent and extremely knowledgeable tasting room manager – and look out for Gaston, the owner’s spectacularly massive and delightfully friendly Great Dane.
Good to know A new 5km hiking trail winds a circular route up and down through orchards and vineyards, with several fun activity stations and an I-spy wildlife map and tick sheet.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 021 848 9844, info@almenkerk.co.za
Where to find it 50 Viljoenshoop Road, Grabouw
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Charles Fox Cap Classique Wine Estate
There’s nothing quite like sipping a glass of shimmering bubbly on a deck overlooking the entire Elgin valley. Luckily, Charles Fox is happy to deliver this experience every day of the week. Once a fruit farm – like many of the estates in this area – the farm was purchased by Charles and Zelda Fox, who were searching for the ideal terroir for traditional cap classique. They found it here in 2005 – and the result is a range of top-quality cap classiques: three non-vintages, a vintage brut, a vintage rosé, a blanc de noirs, a blanc de blancs and the limited-edition Coeur de Cuvee (only 600 bottles were made, in honour of the brand’s 10th anniversary).
Opening times Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday, Sunday + Public Holidays, 10am – 4pm
Contact 082 471 3444, charlesfoxmcc@gmail.com
Where to find it 89 Valley Road, Elgin
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Paul Wallace Wines
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more happily situated wine farm than this one. Rows of vibrant vines stretch out over gently sloping hills, leading down to a natural dam so still that the whole scene repeats itself upside-down. Owned by Paul and Nicky Wallace since September 2003, this intimate, family-run estate offers guests a uniquely personal experience. Head to the charming tasting room (a converted labourer’s cottage) for a lively one-on-one with a member of the Wallace family, who’ll be happy to tell you all about the farm and its wonderful wines. There are also three self-catering cottages, should you be interested in extending your stay.
Opening times Saturday, 10.30am – 5pm; other days by appointment
Good to know The farm is open daily over the holiday season (13 December 2024 – 11 January 2025, with the exception of 25 + 26 December)
Contact 021 848 9744, 083 255 1884
Where to find it 63 Highlands Road, Elgin Valley, Grabouw
Radford Dale Organic
Looking for something deliciously different? Tucked into Appletiser Road, Radford Dale Organic is the organic arm of the 25-year-old Stellenbosch-based Radford Dale range of premium wines. Purchased at the end of 2021, the 20-hectare estate produces four delectable certified-organic wines – a pinot noir, a cabernet-franc, a semillon and a chardonnay – using minimal intervention to guide the grapes towards the best final product (and you really can taste the difference). Sumptuous wines aside, the estate itself is a feast for the eyes, perched at 282 metres above sea level over gently undulating mountain slopes.
Good to know Radford Dale is fully committed to organic farming and sustainable practices, and co-founded the Organic Wine Association of South Africa in 2024. The farm also boasts Elgin’s first-ever organic Gamay vineyard, which will come into production in 2026.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 4pm (tastings and vineyard tours by appointment only)
Contact 021 846 8060, thirsty@radforddale.com
Where to find it Appletiser Road, Elgin
Where to eat
The Table at Oak Valley
Claire Gunn
The Table has long been synonymous with relaxed and delicious alfresco lunches at its original home under the oak trees at De Meye. Now owners Brendan and Leigh Thorncroft are adapting the much-loved concept for a second, new restaurant at the sprawling Oak Valley Estate in Elgin. Here, the pool room interior (saved for rainy days) gives out onto an elegant terrace beside a turquoise swimming pool lined with umbrella-shaded tables – and more tables are scattered beyond on the lawns under the oaks, which will make The Table regulars feel quite at home.
Good to know Oak Valley is one of South Africa’s top sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir producers, thanks to its high altitude and cool growing conditions. Meal or no meal, no visit is complete until you’ve tasted the estate’s incredible range of wines.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday (October – April)
Thursday – Sunday (May – September)
12pm – 2pm (last seating)
Contact 021 859 4111, oakvalley@thetablerestaurant.co.za
Where to find it Oak Valley Estate, 127 Oak Avenue, Grabouw
Book through DinePlan
Cheverells Farm Shed Cafe
On a wholesome family-owned apple farm in the heart of the Elgin Valley, Cheverells Farm Shed Café offers daytime country dining in the light-filled surroundings of a converted 1960s apple-packing shed. Soaring ceilings hung with baskets and glass walls filled with plants are the backdrop to breakfast and lunch menus that celebrate the seasonal abundance of the farm’s vegetable garden. Not surprisingly, the apples shine: homemade apple-and-sage sausages, gorgeous salads and poké bowls, gourmet burgers, apple-and-frangipani tart and even an apple-infused craft gin. Enjoy the views outside on the shade-dappled verandah, browse the gift shop and greenhouse nursery laden with local delights and, in harvest season, pick your own apples to take home.
Good to know Look out for the new Sunday Harvest Lunch menus; and special food-and-wine evenings, featuring a different local wine farm each time.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 8.30am – 3pm
Sunday, 9am – 2pm
Contact 060 861 1044, cheverellsfarm@gmail.com
Where to find it 55 Highlands Road (off Viljoenshoop Road), Elgin Valley
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Bloem
Chef Bertus Basson has spread his wings all the way to Elgin with the launch of Bloem, a brand-new restaurant at Paul Clüver Family Wines. His head chef (and business partner) is Carla Burger, who has worked her way up through several of the Basson stable of restaurants over the past six years – most recently as sous chef at Chorus. Named Bloem in celebration of the farm’s blossoming orchards, the restaurant’s menu is driven by the area’s local ingredients, with hearty breakfast dishes and fresh sharing plates for lunch, served with the excellent cool-climate wines for which the estate is known (and wines from a few other Elgin producers, too). Designed to be family-friendly, with a kids play area outside, Bloem is sure to be a new go-to when exploring the Overberg this summer.
Good to know Fourth-generation farmer-proprietor Paul Clüver champions chardonnay and pinot noir. Stop by the tasting room – inside with a fireplace in the winter, or outside under the oaks when the sun is shining – to sample the range before your meal.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday (breakfast and lunch)
Contact 021 844 0607, info@bloemrestaurant.co.za
Where to find it Paul Clüver Family Wines, De Rust Estate, N2 (Kromco turn-off), Grabouw
Book through DinePlan
The Barn at Old Mac Daddy
This magically fairylight-lit, country-chic barn restaurant among the trees in the forested Old Mac Daddy enclave, is open to day visitors (booking is essential) as well as guests. Once you’ve wound your way through apple orchards and a pine forest, you’re invited to savour the wholesome country fare; the menu ranges from wood-fired pizzas and juicy burgers to salads, curries, lamb shank and fragrant mushroom risotto. The kids’ menu has plenty of choices for even the pickiest eaters, and don’t miss the apple pie cheesecake for dessert; it’s a winner.
Good to know There’s a pool deck outside the restaurant and a kids’ centre on the property with lots of fun activities.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 8am – 10pm
Contact 021 844 8900, thebarn@oldmacdaddy.co.za
Where to find it The Barn, Old Mac Daddy, Valley Road, Elgin
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The Canvas Cafe at South Hill Vineyards
Picture art-lined walls and French doors spilling out onto expansive lawns with umbrella-shaded tables and plenty of space for kids to play. Now known as The Canvas Cafe, the recently refreshed restaurant slash art gallery at this boutique wine farm is all about laid-back meals with friends and family. The new owners are passionate about local art, fine wine and warm hospitality, and they have all kinds of plans in the pipeline. Meanwhile, there’s plenty to savour at their restaurant, from sumptuous breakfasts, starters and shared flatbreads to braised lamb, prawn risotto and even a South Hill Malbec burger. The kids’ menu has all the favourites, while the desserts will leave you wanting more (if only you had space).
Good to know Don’t miss their new Steak Supperclub, which happens every Thursday night. R280 will buy you a 300g ribeye steak with a sauce, starch and side dish of your choice, as well as a glass of the estate’s wine. There’s also a new food-pairing addition to their wine-tasting menu.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 8am – 4pm
Thursday Steak Supperclub, 5pm – 10pm
Contact 021 844 0888, info@southhill.co.za
Where to find it 113 Valley Road, Elgin
Book through DinePlan
Elgin Vintners
You had us at pizza and wine-tasting! The lofty tasting room at Elgin Vintners boasts a wood-fired pizza oven and a menu of appetising pizzas, as well as mushroom risotto, soups, quiches and salads. There’s also a charcuterie platter to go with their tailored wine tastings, as you relax by the fireplace in winter or under mature trees on the lawns in summer.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 021 848 9587, guesthouse@elginvintners.co.za
Where to find it Appletiser Road, Elgin Valley, Grabouw
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Where to stay
Cheverells Farm
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then Cheverells Farm is just what the doctor ordered. The Boome family have been growing a variety of apple and pear cultivars here for three generations, and recently started welcoming the public to their heavenly haven. They offer two self-catering, pet-friendly cottages (once farm workers’ dwellings) beside a lily-filled dam, sporting pillowy bed covers, fresh flowers, homemade rusks, cosy fireplaces (a basket of apple wood is provided), braai facilities and ivy-covered stoeps overlooking the orchards. With a charming onsite restaurant (serving breakfast and lunch), a sparkling dam and plenty of space to stroll or cycle around, it’s the ideal backdrop for a weekend escape.
Good to know Cheverells offers guided apple-picking mornings in season (February to May). Book ahead to take part.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per unit
Cost From R1 595 per night (depending on season)
Where to find it 55 Highlands Road, Elgin Valley, Grabouw
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT
Old Mac Daddy
This one-of-a-kind luxury trailer park offers a variety of accommodation options – from glamping and quirky Airstream vans (some boasting private hot tubs) to luxe, self-catering eco lodges. Situated among the trees alongside a peaceful lake with a white-sand beach (they carted the sand in especially), this retreat is perfect for any season – whether you cosy up inside your trailer with a hotwater bottle and a book during winter or relax in a hammock, Huckleberry Finn-style, with a cocktail from Daddy’s Beach Bar in the summer. The pool, with its breathtaking views of the lush valley, is wonderful for refreshing dips, plus there’s archery, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, tractor rides, fishing, spa treatments, a hiking trail and The Barn Restaurant & Bar for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Child-friendly Yes
Pet-friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 – 10 per unit
Cost From R1 690 per night (depending on season and unit type)
Where to find it Old Mac Daddy, Valley Road, Elgin
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT
Vredenhof Farm Cottage
From shuttered windows to wrought-iron beds, low reed ceilings and a cosy fireplace, this has all the makings of a charming country-cottage escape. Nestled under old oak trees on a working apple farm, the Cape vernacular cottage is just a minute from a sparkling dam, where you’ll find a two-seater Indian canoe and a tranquil jetty (complete with sun loungers). It’s supremely comfortable and effortlessly alluring, with two plush bedrooms, an open-plan living and dining area, a ‘vintage-feel’ bathroom (with an extra-large shower and a bath), and a pretty little private garden with striped deck chairs and a large umbrella. Stroll through the orchards, browse the books on the old bookshelves, take a dip in the dam, cuddle up by the crackling fire or simply do nothing at all.
Child-friendly No
Pet-friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 4
Cost R3 000 per night
Where to find it Vredenhof Farm, off the N2, Elgin
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT
Lothian House
Follow the meandering Palmiet River through the lush Elgin valley and you’ll encounter Lothian House, a contemporary countryside villa with endless views of the vineyards, orchards, meandering river, distant mountains and private Applethwaite Lake. Rented as a whole, this architectural masterpiece is perfect for large groups or families, with six individually decorated ensuite bedrooms (each functioning as a separate unit, with its own entertainment area), as well as various lounges and communal spaces, a gym and sauna, a hot tub and a large, island-style pool. There’s also an exterior guest wing with two additional ensuite bedrooms, a kitchenette, lounge, riverside terrace and separate entrance.
Child-friendly Yes
Pet-friendly? Yes (by arrangement)
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 16
Cost R55 200 per night
Where to find it Rockview Dam Road (through the Eskom Gate), Grabouw
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Elgin Vintners Country House
Picture blue skies, sun-drenched vineyards, emerald lawns, ancient trees, shaded paths leading to a secret fairy garden, a sparkling pool by the tennis courts and – presiding over it all – a stately Manor House that oozes elegance and old-world charm. Built by Sir Herbert Baker in 1927, this four-star boutique guesthouse boasts four beautiful suites, complete with Victorian furnishings, crystal chandeliers (even in the bathroom), freestanding baths and, of course, all the modern comforts. Whether you’re playing a spot of tennis, taking a refreshing midday dip, tasting the estate’s top-class wines (paired with a crispy, wood-fired pizza), reading on a plush velvet sofa or strolling through the English country gardens, you’ll feel like Lord and Lady of the manor.
Child-friendly Yes
Pet-friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per room
Cost From R1 700 for two people sharing (depending on season and room type)
Where to find it Appletiser Road, Elgin Valley, Grabouw
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT
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