Slackpacking in the Elgin Valley – Wine, Fynbos & Mountain Trails

The Elgin Valley shouts apples and mountain biking, but walkers know there is another reason to visit: mountains.

The valley is wedged between rugged ranges and has a landscape that changes with the seasons. Orchards, dams, fynbos, vineyards and mountain slopes all sit within a relatively small area, an ideal layout for slackpacking. And it’s close to Cape Town, making a weekend trip an easy do.

The surrounding Hottentots Holland and Kogelberg landscapes offer proper mountain walking, while the valley itself provides gentler options. Slackpacking operators weave together a walking itinerary that suits your fitness and preferences. If food is your thing you’ll be swinging into fabulous little farmstalls or farm-to-table eateries more often. If fynbos draws you in with its astounding biodiversity, you’ll be walking with a botanical guide, to find secret orchids with strange behaviours. And as if thats not enough for a list of hiking detours, Elgin, with its cooler climate, also has wine farms and tastings…just make sure you do those towards the end of your walk.

And somewhere along the trail there are sure to be apples or at very least the delightful smell of apples.

The Elgin Valley walking experience is definitely going to have you wondering why you don’t get out and do this more.