Flora, fauna and fine wine: Vergelegen launches guided hiking trail

Staff Reporter|Published 3 weeks ago

Hiking guide Frank Dwyer - hikers enjoy access to areas of the estate that are normally closed to the public.

Vergelegen staff and friends of the estate test the terrain, from left, Claudia Schuster, Nicki Barnard, Stephen Forbes, Caroline van Schalkwyk, Aimée Friedrich, Maritza van Rensburg, Penelope Saunders and Frank Dwyer.

Guests spot wildlife, such as bontebok, on the guided hike.

Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, sustainability initiatives and rich heritage, has opened bookings for a new, one-day, 12-km guided hike.

The first hike takes place on Saturday March 15, and is thereafter offered twice a month, weather permitting.

Hikers will enjoy access to areas of the 3 000-hectare property not usually open to the public, where they can discover the estate’s diverse flora and fauna.

The route, set against a spectacular backdrop of the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland mountain ranges, traverses:

 Manor house and gardens: Vergelegen is a provincial heritage site, and the route starts in the historic precinct for hikers to admire the lush gardens and beautiful homestead.

 Lourens River and orchards: The trail leads to the Lourens River, where a section of land is a Protected Natural Environment, then passes through orchards.

 Nguni cattle grazing areas: The route continues into the grazing area of the docile Nguni cattle herd – numbering about 400 indigenous cattle with spectacular multi-coloured hides – and resident bontebok.

 Fynbos biome: Vergelegen is home to the largest privately funded alien vegetation clearing project in South Africa. Find out more about this visionary conservation initiative, and view fynbos, wetlands and renosterbos.

 Game camp: Hike alongside the fenced game camp, with possible sightings of wildlife such as eland, rare Rau quagga, black wildebeest and small antelope.

 Champagne tree: This marks the end of the hiking trail where, weather permitting, hikers are treated to a glass of Vergelegen Cap Classique and wine tasting while enjoying views of the surrounding mountain ranges and over False Bay.

 Vineyards and wine cellar: Hikers are taken by game vehicle to the nearby hilltop wine cellar for a cellar tour.

They then enjoy a three-course, a la carte lunch at the Stables bistro-style restaurant, with wine.

Tours are led by Frank Dwyer, an experienced hiking guide and tourism expert with a deep-rooted passion for showcasing South Africa’s natural beauty and rich heritage.

Frank was born and raised in Somerset West, where his father farmed in the 1960s and 1970s, and he developed an early appreciation of the region’s landscape, history, wine and culture.

While the route is not difficult there are some strenuous uphill sections and descents where hikers need to take care on loose gravel. Hikers are advised to wear appropriate footwear or hiking boots.

Find out more at vergelegen.co.za