Grabouw, Cape Overberg
Reaching the town of Grabouw entails a mere hour’s drive from Cape Town over the Hottentots Holland Mountains with a descent into one of the most beautiful valleys in the Western Cape - the Elgin Valley - filled with flowers, fruit, fynbos and wine. Grabouw lies in this green paradise, sandwiched between the Groenland and Kogelberg Mountains, with enchanting stretches of forest, vineyards and orchards as far as the eye can see.
This is apple country - 65% of South Africa’s export apples are produced in the fertile valley and this has earned it the international reputation as the ‘valley of apples’. The valley is also home to the now famous farm, Applethwaite, on which Edmond Lombardi created the pure apple-juice drink that became known as Appletiser in 1966.
The locals refer to Grabouw as Elgin-Grabouw, probably because the local railway station, called Elgin, is better known than the town renowned not only for its apples and fruit but also for its wine and roses. Grabouw was named after the village in Germany, Grabau, by Willem Langschmidt who created the town on the farm Grietjiesgat in 1856. The father of some 23 children, Langschmidt and his wife - who also managed, between giving birth - to run a little trading store, Willem was to sell off parts of his farm, which later led to the little farming community of Grabouw. Today the town has become a commuter town for those wanting to live the country lifestyle and a perfect day trip from Cape Town, particularly as it is only 70 km outside of the mother city.
Grabouw holds its annual festival at the country club with some of the most incredible views over the Eikenhof dam at the foot of the Nuweberg. Thousands of visitors descend on the town at this time of year to sample the flowers, fruit, wines and local products. Grabouw is not far from the coastal towns of Gordon’s Bay, Kleinmond and Hermanus and Strand and Somerset West are only a short drive away.
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Grabouw Reviews
"I visited Grabouw eight years four times each year from 1996 to 2004 when I stayed in Bloemfontein. After I moved to Nigel in 2005 it was not possible to ..." - Ronel Jackson, Nigel
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Grabouw
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
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Things To Do in Grabouw
Quad Bike Trails
Where: Grabouw
How much (per person): On Request
Three Hour Quad Bike Trails with Nature Discovery For an adventurous way to explore the beauty and diversity of the Cape Floral King ... more information
Elgin Valley Market
Where: Elgin
How much (per person): Free to Browse
From all over the Overberg, traders and visitors converge at the Elgin Valley Market to enjoy the fresh fare & healthy food that has made th ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Grabouw
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On Holiday in Grabouw
• Grabouw Map
• Things to Do in Grabouw
• Grabouw - A Visitors Perspective
• Grabouw Accommodation
• Grabouw Hotels
• Cape Overberg Accommodation
• Cape Overberg Hotels
• Western Cape Accommodation
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