Golf Courses
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Steenberg The Steenberg Golf Club is an exclusive, private golf club set in the idyllic surroundings of the Constantia Valley. The course attracts golfers seeking a total golfing experience. Known for its hybrid plan, it offers traditionalists the opportunity to “bump and run” (a rare shot in South Africa) in the rough around the greens, and to meet the challenges of strategically placed sand pits and waterways.
The par-three, not-so-short 14th hole, features the largest green in Africa at 76 meters in length; indigenous shrubs guard the green and the mound has been shaped to echo the distinctive mountain range behind. Steenberg has always been named as one of the best conditioned courses in South Africa Golf Digest’s annual Top 100, consistent in its improvement each year.
The 18 hole course was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forest and gentle waterways. Its environmental diversity gives the course its unique character. The well-designed and refurbished clubhouse has seen many golfers enjoying the 19th hole.
Need to know? The Steenberg Golf Club is open to the public, but priority and special green fee rates are given to Steenberg Hotel guests and members.
Things to do near
Steenberg
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Wine Estates
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Tokai (0.6 km from Steenberg) Situated on the foothills of Steenberg Mountains after which it is named, this historic estate is the oldest wine farm in the picturesque Constantia Valley, one of South Africa's premier wine growing regions.
Steenberg is the southern-most wine farm in the Constantia Valley, the vines benefiting greatly from the cooling influence of summer sea breezes from nearby False Bay. Vineyards have been planted with a number of cultivars chosen to suit the soils, microclimate and altitude of the slopes of Steenberg. These include their flagship cultivar Sauvignon Blanc as well as Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Nebbiolo.
Their most renowned wines, Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and Catharina’s, a red Bordeaux blend named after the founder of Steenberg, have won many awards under the expertise of winemaker John Loubser. The state-of-the-art cellar has the capacity to produce around 70 000 cases. A major feature of the cellar is the vinotheque, where bottled wines are kept under ideal conditions until ready to be enjoyed.
Need to know? The wine tasting room is open seven days a week from 10:00 – 16:15.
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (2 km from Steenberg) Explore the watercourse of the Silvermine River along a short trail up or down from Silvermine Dam. If you intend going up the river, turn left directly after paying at the entrance and park on the grassy parking section.
The trail passes through dense Palmiet reeds, natural pools, marshlands and a dense canopy of Keurboom trees before reaching the reservoir. Once here, don't miss doing the loop around Silvermine Dam. Here there are wonderful spots for a picnic, braai facilities and ablutions.
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2 km (one way)
Popular Attractions
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Tokai (2.2 km from Steenberg) A unique outdoor market, Porter Estate Produce Market is a hot spot where locals can shop for fantastic fresh produce and savour a farm-style breakfast.
The market was conceptualised from the hearts and minds of the restaurateurs and chefs that brought you both the timeless Jonkershuis on Groot Constantia and Societi Bistro. Visitors can savour tastes and smells, and shop around for all sorts of items suitable for gifting and treasuring back at home.
Porter Estate Produce Market will be open every Saturday from 9:00 till 13:00, weather permitting. Sufficient parking is available on the grounds.
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (2.3 km from Steenberg) Park your vehicle at Gate 2 in Silvermine East and take the path signposted to Higher Steenberg Peak. The circular trail meanders through interesting fynbos past the distinctive Wolfkop Pillar. The spectacular views extend across Silvermine West, Constantia, and the back of Table Mountain all the way to Devil's Peak.
The hike to Higher Steenberg Peak can also be done in an anticlockwise direction, taking the jeep track just past the waterfall. From the top of Steenberg Peak, the awesome panoramic views are well worth the steep climb.
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (2.3 km from Steenberg) Walking through Silvermine’s rocky landscape and stunning fynbos to the Kalk Bay Amphitheatre is gentler than the more direct uphill from Boyes Drive.
The trail traverses Maiden Peak, offering impressive views of Constantiaberg, and across False Bay to Cape Point. Part of the route is on an old fishermen’s path that linked Hout Bay to Kalk Bay before roads were built.
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 7.5 km
Golf Courses
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Lakeside (2.4 km from Steenberg) Set against the slopes of the Silvermine mountains the Westlake Golf Club is an easy to walk, 18 hole Par 72 golf course with tree-lined fairways. A few doglegs but if you manage to stay out of the trees, you will achieve a good score.
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (2.4 km from Steenberg) Popular with families and dog walkers, the Silvermine Waterfall Walk is very easy and accessible with a robust pushchair for an infant.
It’s a great place to spot sunbirds flitting amongst the profusion of fynbos – proteas, ericas, watsonias, pelargoniums, everlastings and a horde of other plants. The waterfall is at its most dramatic in winter and is usually dry in summer.
Duration: 1 hour return
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2 km
Warning: Take care when close to the slippery edge of the 30m waterfall!
Shopping Malls
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Tokai (2.7 km from Steenberg) Blue Route Mall, in Tokai, lies just 20 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre, conveniently located just off the M3. Blue Route Mall offers a range of over 120 stores that are sure to appeal to even the most diverse interests, making a day’s shopping a pleasure. There are many options for eating and drinking - from up-market restaurants right the way through to a quick bite. And if you’re in the mood to relax a little more, sink into the comfy seats at the 8-screen Ster Kinekor cinema complex with 3D capability.
Whether you’re looking to relax for an hour, an afternoon or all day, there’s no better place to unwind and indulge your love of shopping and entertainment than at Blue Route Mall.
Trading Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9am – 7pm
Sunday & public holidays: 9am – 5pm
Wine Estates
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Constantia (2.8 km from Steenberg) Originally part of Simon van der Stel’s original grant of Groot Constantia, the award winning Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate is one of Constantia’s ‘Big Five’. Not only does it produce superb wines but it is also the home of three world-renowned restaurants, a private cricket oval, spa and a small luxury hotel.
Need to know? Situated at the entrance to the Estate, the Wine Shop offers informal tastings of the Constantia Uitsig Wines throughout the day, Monday to Sunday, free of charge. Opening times are Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 10:00 – 17:00.
Nature Reserves
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Noordhoek (2.9 km from Steenberg) Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and offers numerous trails for walking or hiking. A detailed map of the trails can be purchased from Noordhoek Village tourism office for a nominal fee.
The Silvermine Hiking trail allows one to see some of the world’s most spectacular coastal and mountain scenery which is rich with a variety of flora as well as bird and small animal life. There are a large number of different Proteas and other fynbos species, flowering throughout the different seasons; making this an enjoyable and interesting walk at any time of the year.
One of the easiest and most accessible walks leads from the car park at the top of the mountain to the Silvermine Reservoir. This is an easy 1 – 1 ½ hour walk and is suitable for all members of the family. From the parking area the trail is well marked and heads predominantly uphill although it is not particularly strenuous. The trail winds through remarkably different vegetation and you will enjoy a number of boardwalks over the streams.
On hot summer days you will find the wooded banks verdant with tree ferns a pleasantly cool and peaceful spot to linger. Surprisingly the trail heads through some small forest glades. The path wends its way up well-maintained wooden walkways and the occasional rustic bridge until reaching the dam wall. Stop along the way to admire the spectacular views across False Bay where on a clear day you can see clear across to Gordon’s Bay.
A number of quaint stone benches and tables are dotted along the path where one can picnic or braai. It is best to check at the ticket office beforehand – lighting of fires may be prohibited in dry and windy conditions. During hot summer days, people often take a cooling swim in the clear water. In early autumn there are an amazing variety of flowering plants including Proteas.
On the opposite side of Ou Kaapse Weg, just after the apex, is another entrance manned by the Parks board where one can park and walk up Silvermine River Valley to a small waterfall, passing a number of old ruins. The waterfall offers the perfect spot to take in the sounds of nature. Like so many of the waterfalls on Table Mountain, this one is only seen in its full glory in winter, but it is also a great peaceful picnic spot.
Need to know? There is a small entry fee or free for Wild card holders. There are toilet facilities at the parking area.
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (3.3 km from Steenberg) The guided Orange Kloof Hoerikwaggo Trail starts at the Silvermine Dam and overnights in the Orange Kloof National Forest on the first day. Hikers are able to walk unencumbered with backpacks as belongings are portaged to the overnight camp. This section of the Hoerikwaggo Trial has a minimum of 2 and a maximum limit of 12 hikers per day.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 33 km
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Constantia (3.3 km from Steenberg) Retrieving a six may involve something of a grapple with a grape in this little corner of Constantia Uitsig where they play cricket. Situated on the Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, several hectares of lush vineyards and the Constantiaberg define the boundaries of Constantia Uitsig Cricket Oval and Pavilion.
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (3.4 km from Steenberg) Big views, pretty fynbos and a fairly easy walk characterize this popular route. The horseshoe-shaped hike can be done in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction around Silvermine Dam. Leave your vehicle in the parking area at the dam.
Starting in a clockwise direction, the trail climbs steadily above Silvermine Dam past Shelter Rock, and Breakfast Slab, then along Crassula Edge and the Amphitheatre Path. After Dragonback Passage, walk past Blind Man's Bend to the cairn, and turn down to the trail running on other side of the dam.
Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.5 km
Hiking Trail
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Table Mountain National Park (3.4 km from Steenberg) Combined with an additional loop to Elephant’s Eye Cave, this easy walk takes in three stunning viewpoints that jointly offer a 360-degree panoramic of the Peninsula.
Start at Silvermine Dam car park and follow the jeep track beyond the reservoir wall. Look out for the gorgeous King Proteas blooming in autumn. At other times there are blue Disas, Painted Ladies and numerous Erica species along the trail.
Duration: 2.5 hours return
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 6 km
Wine Estates
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Constantia (3.6 km from Steenberg) Appropriately named Buitenverwachting, which means "beyond expectations", this stunning farm is steeped in history and forms part of the original Constantia Estate which was founded by Governor Simon van der Stel.
Buitenverwachting captivates with an alluring blend of the Cape, outstanding cuisine and handcrafted wines. Buitenverwachting’s internationally acclaimed wines boast great complexity with unique aromatic profiles.
Overlooking the vineyards and Constantiaberg Mountains, Buitenverwachting Restaurant matches the winemaking excellence and is consistently rated amongst the top ten restaurants in South Africa. The menu changes daily and only the finest, fresh produce is procured. During the summer months visitors can indulge in a pre-booked picnic basket served under the old oak trees in the beautiful gardens.
Wine tasting and sales: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 and Saturday 09:00 – 13:00.