Elgin, Cape Overberg

I Love Elgin because ...

Featured in: Visitorials: We Love South Africa

We’ve asked those in the know to share their favourites things about Elgin. Find out where locals go for the best cup of coffee, lunch suggestions and much more. We’re letting you in on all of their secrets ... I Love Elgin because ...

Elgin Valley Wine Estates

The Elgin Valley is home to a number of wine farms, which do so well as a result of the cool climate, low pH of the soil and plentiful rainfall. Some of the farms include well known labels like Arumdale, Beaumont, Elgin Ridge, Highlands Road Estate, Oak Valley Wines (one of the first farms ... more information

Elgin Wine Route

The Elgin Valley is exquisite, with long stretches of forest and endless mountain peaks surrounding fruit orchards, and indeed Elgin is part of the Four Passes Fruit Route. The wines that have begun production here are predominantly fruity, and Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz do particularly well ... more information

Green Mountain Eco Route

Based on the Overberg Tourism map, the Green Mountain Eco Route starts on the other side of Sir Lowry's Pass, as you enter Elgin Valley on the N2, from Cape Town. The Green Mountain Eco route is not only home to the world's first biodiversity wine route - 75 kilometres over the Groenland Mountains ... more information

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve

The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland mountains. The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, situated high in Viljoen's Pass, between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. The ... more information

Houwhoek Pass

To reach Houwhoek Pass, on the tarred N2, you will have to crest Sir Lowry's Pass first. In fact, there is a 25 kilometre stretch of road between the two passes, known as Cole's Pass, to add further confusion to the mix. All in all, this mountainous part of the national road is a series of three passes ... more information

Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve

Lying within the southern extension of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range about 90 kilometres south-east of Cape Town and 8 kilometres from Kleinmond, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has managed to remain largely unspoilt, in no small part due to its ability to remain relatively ... more information

Van Der Stel Pass

The Van der Stel Pass lies between Bot River and Villiersdorp, a beautiful pass that takes one via the Theewaterskloof Dam. This part of the Overberg is filled with flowers, birds and wines, with scenery to match. The Bot River, after which the little town is named, follows the swing of the pass emptying finally into a ... more information

Viljoen's Pass

Viljoen's Pass cuts through the Groenland Mountains to follow a gorge through which the Palmiet River flows, linking Villiersdorp with Grabouw. Named after local apple pioneer, Sir Antonie Viljoen, the pass is a wonderful drive overlooking the valley that is regarded as 'apple country'. The pass is often incorporated as ... more information

Cliffs, Canyons, Kloofing and Coasts

Where: Western Cape
How much (per person): On Request

Kloof is the Afrikaans word for ravine/gorge. Kloofing is an adventure activity which utilises these natural little 'valleys'. Typically the ... more information

Wine tasting at Elgin Ridge

Where: Elgin
How much (per person): On Request

Elgin Ridge lies high on the slopes of a mountain, with fantastic views stretching over the vineyards to reveal the entire Elgin Valley. Elg ... more information

Houw Hoek Farm Stall

Where: Grabouw

This delightful farm stall greets you like an old friend as you travel between the Overberg's majestic Houw Hoek mountain pass and Cape Town. The authentic South African architecture of a white farm h ... more information

Thandi Kitchen Farmstall

Where: Elgin

“The name THANDI, pronounced taan-di is the Xhosa word for love, and is the powerful symbol for the projects message 'Growing Together with Love'.” Established in Elgin in 1995, Thandi’s aim is to ... more information