Popular Attractions
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Elgin Located just off the N2, behind Houw Hoek Farm Stall, you'll find 3 small yet lovely dams, fully stocked with rainbow trout and ready for you to throw in your line.
The area around the dams are nicely grassed, accompanied with shady trees making this an ideal place to picnic as well. In fact, if you so wish, you may acquire a picnic basket at the farm stall to couple with your fishing activity. Fly and normal rods are available for hire at the farm stall along with limited stock of fishing tackle.
Things to do near
Elgin
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Galleries and Museums
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Grabouw (2.8 km from Elgin) Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre is one of the most unique and awe inspiring settings for performances in the Overberg. A towering Eucalyptus forest circles the intimate 600 seater-arena which has been hewn from farm timber in its entirety. Performances are specifically chosen to match the natural acoustics of the venue.Pack a picnic basket, purchase estate wine and come enjoy an evening of entertainment with great stars, under the stars!Only 45 minutes drive from Cape Town International.Need to know? Blankets, cushions and warm jackets are recommended. Seats are unreserved on a first come, first served basis. Limited table bookings available at an additional cost. (For table bookings call 021 8440605).
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Grabouw (3.2 km from Elgin) Nestled in the pristine and tranquil Kogelberg Biosphere you will find one of the best kept secrets of the Cape Overberg.
The Elgin Grabouw Country Club boasts spectacular views of the surrounding Hottentots Holland, Nuweberg and Groenland Mountains. Combined with the waterfront ambiance of the Eikenhof Dam and the extensive pine forests, this venue will leave you with an overwhelming sense of tranquillity and enchantment.
The surrounding mountains are immensely popular with hikers, mountain bikers and nature lovers and the Country Club acts as the “gateway to the great outdoors” in that it is the ideal base for excursions into the surrounding mountains. Bring the whole family for a wonderful day out in the Overberg.
Hiking Trail
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (8.6 km from Elgin) Only for the brave and adventurous, Suicide Gorge in the Riviersonderend Mountains is more of a thrilling combination of kloofing and swimming than a hike. The demanding trail involves daring leaps, scrambles and swimming through a spectacular canyon with some lovely waterfalls.
Most of the compulsory jumps are between 7 – 8 m with the highest at 14 m. Hikers need to be fit and experienced. Wearing a wetsuit and using waterproof bags is advised. Suicide Gorge is open from 1 November to 30 April.
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 17 km
Warning: This route should not be attempted in hazardous weather conditions.
Hiking Trail
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (8.6 km from Elgin) The Boland Hiking Trail in the rugged Hottentots Holland Mountains offers a number of hiking options with overnight huts at Landroskop or Boesmanskloof. Each route choice starts and ends at the Nuweberg offices. Only fit and experienced hikers equipped for extreme weather conditions should attempt this trail. The beautiful Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is characterized by a diversity of mountain fynbos species and rich birdlife.
Trail Options:
Nuweberg to Landdroskop Hut – 12 km (3 – 4 hours)
Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut – 14km (6 – 7 hours)
Nuweberg to Boesmanskloof Hut (longer route) – 18.1 km (9 hours)
Boesmanskloof to Landdroskop Hut – 17.5 km (5 – 6 hours)
Nuweberg to Landdroskop Hut to Boesmanskloof Hut – 29 km (13 hours)
Duration: 1, 2, 3 days
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 50 km
Hiking Trail
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (8.6 km from Elgin) If Suicide Gorge is too extreme for you, this kloof my entice you. The Riviersonderend route is a better option for beginners, lying lower down the river with the highest jump at 7 m.
Most of the jumps can be done from a lower spot but you should still be fairly fit, able to swim in cold water and not be afraid of heights. The trail is just as scenic as Suicide Gorge and there are also some stunning waterfalls.
Duration: 8.5 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 15 km
Warning: This route should not be attempted in hazardous weather conditions
Mountain Biking Trails
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (8.8 km from Elgin) The 22 km Groenlandberg Mountain Biking Trail is a moderate out-and-return route that leads up Groenlandberg. The summit of this peak offers incredibly rewarding views over the ocean and farmlands.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 22 km
Hiking Trail
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Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve (8.9 km from Elgin) The 24 km Boegoekloof Trail is an out-and-return hike over mountainous terrain that usually takes experienced hikers eight hours to complete. Only fit hikers kitted out for extreme weather should attempt this hike.
Situated in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, the trail traverses an area that protects an incredible 1300 mountain fynbos plant species and numerous species of birds.
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Distance: 24 km
Hiking Trail
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Somerset West (13.4 km from Elgin) Go on guided walks and wine tastings on the Schapenberg Hills in the Somerset West, Sir Lowry's Pass vicinity.
Admire beautiful scenery and views across False bay and the Helderberg Basin. The area is rich in fynbos, which your guide will tell you about.
Enjoy a picnic and wine tasting at one of the participating farms.
The guided walks costs about R150 per person. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Popular Attractions
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Somerset West (13.6 km from Elgin) Based in Somerset West, X Paintball is ready to take on large groups for an adrenalin-pumping paintball session.
All sessions are scenario based, making it an interactive, strategic and realistic paintball experience. There are three fields available, comprising bush, urban and tire environments, but can be combined together to create one large play area. Facilities include a braai area with tables and chairs, tuck shop and toilets.
Bookings are encouraged if you desire a private group session, or you may engage in social open sessions every first Sunday of the month. Rentals and markers are available.
Hiking Trail
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Kleinmond (15 km from Elgin) Located near the town of Kleinmond, the Highlands Trail is a great route for the avid hiker seeking a challenge.
The hike stretches over two days: 21 km on day one, and 16 km and day two. There is a trail limit of 10 hikers. The route traverses through varied areas, including farm land, mountain fynbos and beach. The difficulty can range from medium to challenging.
Bookings are done through Cape Nature, with more details listed on their site.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Somerset West (15.8 km from Elgin) An exciting and thrilling water activity awaits you at Blue Rock Lake. For a wild cable ski adventure, you won't have to travel far if you're in Cape Town.
Blue Rock uses an overhead cable system with an electric motor which pulls users around the lake. This system is completely user friendly and safe, as the water skiing is in a controlled area in addition to buoys and floating walkways which also separate activities. Skilled water ski instructors are always in attendance.
The resort also offers diving facilities, volley ball, swimming, rock jumping and a kids playground.
Nature Reserves
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Kleinmond (18.3 km from Elgin) The Kogelberg Nature Reserve has an amazing network of hiking trails along the coast and in the mountains. The trails pass through pristine fynbos and provide breathtaking views of the sea and mountains.
Wine Estates
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Somerset West (18.7 km from Elgin) Lourensford Estate offers a lot more than just wine – you can embark on a unique sensory and tasting experience. Nibble delicious nougat, chomp truffles and over 40 different types of chocolates or eyeball, sniff and sip at the wine tasting and more. There’s also a world class cheesery, coffee roastery, charming River Garden Deli & Eatery as well as an art gallery. At Lourensford there’s something for every connoisseur.
Wine Estates
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Somerset West (18.8 km from Elgin) Officially part of the Helderberg Wine Route, Vergelegen is undeniably the best reason to visit the town of Somerset West. Not only are the Cape Dutch buildings national treasures, but the estate produces a range of South Africa's best wines.A notorious history precedes the grandiose estate, primarily built by Dutch East India Company slaves brought by the governor Simon van der Stel. Today the farm is owned by a subsidiary of the large mining company Anglo American, who restored the farmhouse to its original magnificence.Stroll through the massive grounds planted with chestnut and camphor trees. Beautiful ponds and streams make this one of the most tranquil places to picnic or chill out in. The interpretative centre provides an interesting overview of the history and environment of Vergelegen.Open daily 9:30am – 4pmLady Phillips Restaurant: 021 847 1346.
Hiking Trail
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Stellenbosch (18.9 km from Elgin) The Swartboskloof Trail starts with a steep 4,5 km ascent up Swartboskloof before leveling out along on the top. Enjoy the knockout views before descending Kurktrekker to join the Tweede Waterval Trail. This route can be inaccessible after heavy rainfall in winter.
Duration: 8 – 9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance: 18 km