Things to do near
Riviersonderend
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Four By Four Trails
in
McGregor (14.3 km from Riviersonderend) Groot Toren Eco Experience is located 11 km from McGregor in the Riviersonderend Mountains. The unchallenging 25 km trail heads over the mountains with lookout points viewing the Breede River Valley with Robertson, Ashton, Bonnievale and periodically, Swellendam. The trail takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete and offers a fantastic A-shaped accommodation for four people at Klipspringer Groot Toren. The trail has a grading of 2 t0 3 and Low range, high clearance vehicles are needed. 4x2 vehicles with diff lock are required. Please contact the establishment for further information.
Mountain Biking Trails
in
McGregor (23.6 km from Riviersonderend) Vrolijkheid Mountain Biking Trail is described as a pleasant 8 km circular route on footpaths and gravel roads through the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. Cyclists must remain on the designated route.
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance 8 km
Warning: Extremely high temperatures occur from November to March. Bikers are advised to start early in the morning and avoid cycling during the hottest part of the day.
Hiking Trail
in
McGregor (24.2 km from Riviersonderend) The Rooikat Trail is a fairly strenuous circular 19 km trail through the Elandsberg Mountains in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. The route offers outstanding scenic views of the Langeberg, Riviersonderend Mountains and countryside around Robertson. There is no water available so hikers need to carry at least 2 litres of water per person.
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Distance 19 km
Warning: Extremely high temperatures occur from November to March. Hikers are advised to start early in the morning, avoid walking during the hottest part of the day, wear a sunhat and take sufficient water.
Hiking Trail
in
McGregor (24.4 km from Riviersonderend) Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve's Heron Trail is an easy 3 km walk that is great fun for families. It usually takes about an hour to complete the fairly flat route to two dams. Each dam has a lovely bird hide.
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Distance 3 km
Four By Four Trails
in
Greyton (24.9 km from Riviersonderend) Glen Oaks 4x4 Trail is on a working fruit and livestock farm. The income collected from the 4x4 trail goes to clearing alien vegetation. The trail is quite tricky with a difficulty grading of 3 to 4 and is often used as an obstacle course. The trail can take anything from 3 to 6 hours to complete in dry conditions. The trail is only 8 km long and travels over water, mud, sand and stone. Low range vehicles are essential. Please call for further information.
Animal Parks
in
McGregor (25 km from Riviersonderend) The Donkey Sanctuary will warm your heart. The Sanctuary provides a home for abused, neglected and elderly donkeys. Here they can live out their lives with respect and dignity, surrounded by their own kind in a protective and natural environment. You can even adopt one of the donkeys. Facilities include a restaurant, farm stall and kids playground.
Hiking Trail
in
McGregor (27.1 km from Riviersonderend) The popular Boesmanskloof Trail winds through the only gap in the rugged Riviersonderend Mountain range. This lovely hiking trail links the quaint little towns of McGregor and Greyton.
The route can be hiked either way starting at Die Galg, roughly 14 km from Greyton and McgGregor. It traverses some spectacular mountain scenery with deep rock pools and waterfalls – perfect for cooling off in summer.
Perdekop viewpoint offers fabulous views of the steep gorges of the Riviersonderend Mountains and the lush Greyton and McGregor valleys. A great diversity of plant species can be seen, particularly proteas and ericas. Between July and October the flowering king proteas are magnificent.
Hikers have the option of overnighting at Die Galg – book in advance.
Permits are required from Cape Nature for the day trail – wwwcapenature.org.za 0861 227 362 8873.
Hiking Trail
in
McGregor (27.6 km from Riviersonderend) Hike along the road to nowhere – The Galg Road. The original pass from McGregor towards Greyton leads up to the mountains and mysteriously disappears at the edge of a steep krantz.
Many local stories speculate about the reason why the road was never completed. In 1862 the village of McGregor was officially proclaimed and the land divided into 2.5-hectare plots and sold to 19 farmers who were under the impression that the road from Cape Town would pass through their village.
This never happened and neither did the planned road over the mountains through the Boesmanskloof Pass to Greyton – the road simply passes through the village and comes to an abrupt end.
Waterfall
in
Greyton (29.3 km from Riviersonderend) Oak Falls is situated halfway between Greyton and McGregor on the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail. It’s quite feasible to take a picnic and spend the day at this lovely waterfall or cool off in the natural pool if you’re doing the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail.
Permits are required from Cape Nature for the day trail – wwwcapenature.org.za 0861 227 362 8873.
Wine Estates
in
Robertson (34.1 km from Riviersonderend) Bon Courage is headed by André Bruwer and his son Jacques; together with a formidable team they produce a selection of superb wines.
Visitors are welcome to the historic tasting room to try out the estate's wines which range from whites, reds, dessert wines, and cap classiques. Enjoy a delicious lunch, a glass of wine or a cup of coffee at Café Maude – a place for rest and relaxation under an old African pepper tree.
Hiking Trail
in
Greyton (34.2 km from Riviersonderend) This beautiful light walk is 4 km long and takes about an hour. Take the Riviersonderend Road out of the village. After the bridge, turn left and follow river to the picnic site.
Hiking Trail
in
Greyton (34.5 km from Riviersonderend) This trail is 5 km in length and takes about 3 hours. The terrain is steep and strenuous. Start at lower Nerina Road at the Cape Nature Conservation camp. Go through the gate and pass the commonage. After the gate follow path to the left. At the Gobos River turn right on the path that passes the water pipe. Climb the slope and go up the neck. Head back down, passed the bend and cross the river at the wooden bridges. This is a great walk that forms part of the greater Bushmanskloof Trail.
Wine Estates
in
Robertson (34.6 km from Riviersonderend) Located in the mountain setting of the Robertson Valley, Springfield Wine Estate prides itself in it's natural and down-to-earth philosophy of wine making.
Tasting and sales occur on Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 17:00, and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 16:00. Guided tours are also offered on request and by prior arrangement.
Hiking Trail
in
Greyton (34.8 km from Riviersonderend) Hiking, running, horse riding trail starting next to the river running through the town of Greyton. Dogs are welcome and there's a picnic spot on the riverbank near the start. The trail begins and ends at the junction of lower Regent Street and Vlei Street.
Shops
in
Greyton (34.9 km from Riviersonderend) Something of a Greyton institution, The Inside Story retails an eclectic assortment of old and new.
Merchandise ranges from fantastic handmade bath soaps to Indian textiles, scarfs and shawls in vibrant colours to unusual furniture.
Artwork by shop owners, Michelle Holloway and Carol Gibbs adorns the walls. The shop's relaxed atmosphere makes browsing a pleasure.
+27 (0) 28 254 9827