Explore vineyards, trails, and culture in South Africa’s Western Cape
See a different part of South Africa, exploring the Cape region on this wonderful walking tour. If you are craving a brilliant fusion of exercise and wine for your next adventure vacation, then this is the trip for you!
The Cape Winelands Walking Tour will fulfill your wanderlust with a concoction of incredible scenery and walking escapades and fill your glass with award-winning wines from vineyards and estates near Cape Town.
Following the trusted leadership of a hiking guide, you’ll make the most of this adventure by hiking nine to 16km five out of the eight days of this tour. And your post-exercise reward? Wine at prestigious wineries in incredibly scenic areas, such as Breede River Valley, Stellenbosch, Cape Town or Cape Winelands. And when the sun sinks into the lush, green scenery, you can tuck into the cozy beds and vibes at various guest houses!
Highlights of the Cape Winelands Walking Tour
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Cape Winelands Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Travel to Stellenbosch
On arrival in Cape Town, you will meet your driver at the airport and be transferred to your accommodation in the centre of the town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Relax or explore the town, and we suggest having dinner at one of the many restaurants located in walking distance.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Stellenbosch
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Enjoy two wine tastings
Today is the start of your guided winelands walk in the Stellenbosch & Banhoek Conservancy region. After an early breakfast, you'll walk the 5 minutes or so just round the corner in Stellenbosch to meet your guide.
After a short briefing, you will be on your way. You'll first pass through the Stellenbosch University Test Farm before ascending the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain with beautiful views towards Table Mountain and False Bay. Then you'll pass the famous G-Spot mountain bike trails and descend through the pine forests of Eden before reaching the first farm on your route, Mont Marie, for wine tasting.
From Mont Marie, Dornier, Waterford and Kleinood wine farms are a short walk further. You can enjoy lunch at Mont Marie or Waterford, but be sure to book in advance. The tour operator can help you book! Those who have the energy can hike back to Stellenbosch via another but similar route or you can arrange a pick up to bring you back to your accommodation in Stellenbosch after lunch.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Stellenbosch
Distance: 12km (or 19km if you choose to return via walking), 319m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike from Stellenbosch to Cape Winelands
Today the route meanders through beautiful Stellenbosch town and Stellenbosch University with its vibrant 'Rooiplein'. The next 2km are along the tar road into Idas Valley before the route starts climbing through the Idas Valley Nature Area.
Beautiful views over the Idas Valley Dam and the Stellenbosch Valley await, before you reach the summit of Helshoogte Pass at Delaire Graff. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Banhoek Valley from Delaire Graff whilst tasting their wines, after which you will visit Tokara and Thelema. Wine tasting is included at Delaire Graff & Thelema. After lunch and wine tastings, it is a short downhill walk into the Banhoek Valley to your accommodation in the winelands. Your luggage will be at your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Guest House in Cape Winelands
Distance: 16km, 350m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk from Simonzicht Guest House to Boschendal Farm
Hike from your guest house doorstep through the magnificent Banhoek Valley. You will pass Oldenburg Vineyards and Rainbows End Wine Estate, both of which offer tastings which can be arranged if requested. Climb the slopes of the Groot Drakenstein Mountains in the Banhoek Conservancy, where Eland and much more roam free. Hike the spectacular sky traverse route to Boschendal Farm, where you can have a well-deserved picnic lunch and wine tasting.
After lunch, your driver will meet you with your luggage and you will then meet a different driver who will transfer you two hours or so to the Excelsior Manor Guest House in the Robertson Wine Valley. On arrival, you will check in and be welcomed with a 3-course dinner including Excelsior Wines.
Overnight Location: Guest House in Breede River Valley
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Enjoy a picnic lunch and boat cruise at Viljoensdrift
Today is the first day of walking with your guide in the Robertson Wine Valley. After a scrumptious breakfast, you will hike to House of Chardonnay, the tasting room at De Wetshof Estate, for an early morning wine tasting. From here, it is a short walk to the Van Loveren Family Vineyards. Next, you will walk through vineyards and cross over the Breede River where the hikers can enjoy the coolness and birdlife. The trail continues along the foothills of the Elandsberg Mountains, with a panoramic view over the Goudmyn area. Down to the river once again, you will get picked up by the Viljoensdrift river barge for a well-earned picnic lunch on board the boat! Washed down, of course, with a variety of Viljoensdrift’s fine wines. Afterward, you will walk 3km back to your guest house. Spend the afternoon at your leisure!
Overnight Location: Guest House in Breede River Valley
Distance: 13km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Walk to two wine estates
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to Arabella Wine Estate, for your first wine tasting. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to see a new-born foal, as Arabella has a long-standing affinity for thoroughbred racehorses!
A short 3km walk brings you to the next wine tasting of the day: Zandvliet Estate - birthplace of the famous racehorse, Pocket Power, and well known for their exceptional Shiraz. Then, you will take a short drive to Kleinhoekkloof, the last destination of the day. Enjoy a handmade charcuterie lunch here! After lunch, choose to go on an optional 3km hike on the farm. A tasting of their other boutique wines wraps up the day, before heading back to Excelsior by private vehicle, where a three-course dinner awaits for dinner.
Overnight Location: Guest House in Breede River Valley
Distance: 9-12km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Scenic walk with wine tastings
Today starts with a quick drive to our starting point in the Klaasvoogds Valley: a walk through the Sheilam Cactus Gardens. After 3km of walking, you will stop at Owls Rest Lavender Farm. Another 3 kms away, you will have your first wine tasting stop of the day at Kranskop. Panoramic views over the Klaasvoogds Valley will entice you to linger longer. Lastly, you’ll arrive at Clive and Briony. They will captivate you with their passion and knowledge for all things olive at Marbrin Olive Farm! Enjoy olive oil and olive tastings, whilst a three-course vegetarian lunch is being prepared and will be paired with our Excelsior wines. After, you will have a short transfer back to Excelsior to pick up your luggage before transferring 2.5hrs or so back to central Cape Town.
Overnight Location: La Rose Bed & Breakfast in Cape Town
Distance: 9km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8 Goodbye Cape Town
Today, a transfer is included from your central accommodation to Cape Town Airport for your journey back home or onwards to your next destination.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
- Group of 4: from $1,575 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Cape Winelands Walking Tour
This tour is based in guest houses and hotels. Guest houses on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Eendracht Hotel in Stellenbosch ★★★
The Eendracht Hotel in Stellenbosch boasts a cozy ambiance! This 13-room house built in 1928 also sits within walking distance from many restaurants and shops.
Simonzicht Guest House in Cape Winelands ★★★
Kick back, relax, and revel in the flanking mountainous scenery. If you’re hot, you can cool off in the on-site pool!
Excelsior Manor Guest House in Breede River Valley ★★★★
Enjoy three-course dinners and home-cooked breakfasts at this quaint, but luxurious hotel. Take a dip in the pool when you get too hot!
La Rose Bed & Breakfast in Cape Town ★★★
Bask in the range of style influences painting La Rose Bed & Breakfast in Cape Town! Their aim is to make you feel like you’re home despite being in a foreign city or country.
What’s Included in the Cape Winelands Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour and after the Cape Winelands Tours are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation During the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide for hikes
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
Not Included
- Flights to and from Cape Town
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions, such as additional wine tastings on day 2 at Dornier & Kleinood or day 3 for more tastings at Tokara, but may be arranged if you discuss with the tour operator in advance
- On day 3, lunch at Tokara or Delaire Graff can be arranged for an additional fee on request or on the spot for your own account
Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Winelands Walking Tour
Highline Tours and Travel is a tour operator that explores exotic destinations: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, East Africa, Mozambique, to name a few. They offer phenomenal safari, activity and adventure, and romantic getaway tours that will undoubtedly leave a vivid, lasting memory.
The tour guides for Highline Tours and Travel have a magical way of elevating tours from lovely to personable and memorable. They believe in creating a dynamic, encouraging, and fun environment.
Highline Tours and Travel’s vision is to provide the best holiday possible for all clients in hopes that they will become ambassadors for the stunning African continent.
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Local Guide
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Machiel Breedt has spent the last five years guiding tourists in South Africa. He enjoys introducing participants to his country’s vast, diverse scenery, from the animals of Kruger National Park in the North to St Lucia and the beautiful coastline, to the Drakensberg mountains and the Wine of the Cape.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to do and why?
- A: Probably touring from Cape Town to Vic Falls via Namibia and Botswana. It is pure Africa. The vibe of Cape Town and surrounds, to the vastness of the Namibian deserts and plains, to the breath-taking nature and wildlife of Botswana, to the amazing Victoria Falls.
- Q: What is your most unforgettable moment when guiding?
- A: I have 2 moments that I will never forget. The first one is a couple of years ago I had a group doing a 16-day tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town and on that tour was two sisters who got separated at a very young age and didn’t see each other again for about 50 years. One day they walked past each other in a supermarket and recognised one another. One of the local radio stations heard about the story and sponsored them a vacation to enjoy together, and I had the honour of having them on my tour and showing them our beautiful country.
- The second is the time that we were on safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and we saw a pack of about 20 lions devouring the carcass of an elephant.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
- A: It would most definitely be biltong and Amarula. Biltong is meat that is dried with a variety of spices, and it’s just too delicious for words. Amarula is a cream liqueur that is made from the fruits of the Marula tree and just goes down so nice after a long and hot African summer day.