Sandy BeachesWater-SportsGolfWhale WatchingHikingHiking

AT A GLANCE

Atractions:

  • Opposite Somerset Mall
  • Cinemas & Restaurants
  • Golf & Golf Driving Range
  • 20 Minutes from Cape Town
  • Wine Routes
  • Sandy White Beaches
  • Gordon's Bay
  • Harbours
  • Whale Watching
  • Art & Crafts

 

 
Attractions Hiking in the Helderberg Sport & Adventures

Sommerset shopping mall

Strand

Gordon's bay

Beaches

Godon's Bay Harbours

Whale Watching

Steenbras Dam

Arts & Crafts

Spookhill

Helderberg Nature Reserve

Vintage Train Rides

Helderberg Wine Route

Helderbrau

Danie Miller Hiking Trail

Steenbras River Gorge Hiking Trail

Wagon Wheel Trail

Boland Hiking Trail

Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary

Helderberg Plaas (farm) Hiking Trail

Silwerboomkloof Trail - Natural Heritage Site

Adventure sports

Watersports

Abseiling


Attractions

Sommerset shopping mall

Strand

Some 300 years ago a Corporal Muller and eight soldiers of the Dutch East India Company crossed the Lourens River and set foot on the now famous white sand of the Milk Bay Beach at Strand. Coloured and Malay fishermen settled on the coast and the fishing village of Mostert’s Bay developed. In about 1850 the place was named Van Ryneveld’s Town. After that the name changed frequently, first to Hottentots Holland-Strand, then Somerset Strand and, in 1937 became just Strand.

Strand is situated on the shores of False Bay, at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range, only 48km from Cape Town by the N2. It is linked with the rest of the scenic Western Cape and Wine Lands by well-maintained roads.

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Gordon's bay

Gordon’s Bay was named after Rober Jacob Gordon, a Dutch military officer who commanded the Cape Garrison in the latter part of the 18th century. Today this picturesque cove with its steep mountain backdrop against which magnificent residence perch precariously, is home to the South African Naval College and its sheltered harbours play host to numerous regattas and other yachting and angling events. Gordon’s Bay combines the flavour of an international resort with the charm of an old-style coastal town. In summer, its narrow streets and bustling beachfront come alive with the sounds of happy holidays in progress.

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Beaches

The Helderberg is renowned for its long stretches of white, sandy beaches. Safe swimming in warm waters, has ensured the popularity of the Helderberg as a prime holiday destination for water-sport enthusiasts.

Best spots for:

  • Swimming, sunbathing and walking: Melkbaai Beach, Strand Bikinis Beach and Main Beach, Gordon’s Bay.
  • Windsurfing: Strand Beach
  • Surfing: Kogelbay situated in Clarence Drive, Gordon’s Bay is an absolute must for the best surfing experience and has the only braai area on the Helderberg Coast. Strand Beachcan also be recommended.

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Godon's Bay Harbours

An evening stroll along the harbour wall as the yachts and boats sail in the moor at the protected marina is an unforgettable experience. Harbour Cruises leave daily from the Gordon’s Bay harbour. For bookings, please call (021) 851 4022.

The new Gordon’s Bay Waterfront development (Harbour Island) is an exciting entertainment area with many restaurants, pubs and accommodating facilities available.

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Whale Watching

Between June and December each year hundreds of Southern Right whales visit the sheltered, shallow bays of the South African coastline to give birth and nurture their babies. Many of these massive mammals visit False Bay each year and the best place to spot them are at the Official Whale Watching spots found on Clarence Drive and the Coastal Road from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els.

 

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Steenbras Dam

The Steenbras Dam is primarily a water source for the city of Cape Town. There are several secluded picnic sites and braai areas within the 1,200 hectares of pine plantations around the dam. Annually the waters are stocked with trout and fishing is allowed if you have a valid permit. Birdlife is plentiful and hundreds of Egyptian Geese nest on the shores and islands of the upper dam. The 4km drive to the dam offers magnificent views of the Helderberg, Cape Peninsula as far as Table Mountain and even as far as Cape Point. The dam can be accessed from Gordon’s Bay.

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Arts & Crafts

Amongst other things, Somerset West is famous for its two craft markets which are held at Southey’s Vines (Tourism Bureau offices) in Main Street on Saturday mornings. The country craft market is becoming well-known world wide for its many handcrafted items. There are over 200 hundred stalls which are all managed by the crafters themselves. The Helderberg Veldwinkel is also an interesting place to visit.
In the summer months this market is also held in the evenings.

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Spookhill

Can a car roll uphill? Is this an illusion or one of the world’s greatest unsolved mysteries? Spookhill is found at the top of the Parel Vallei Road in front of the Straightway Head Country House.

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Helderberg Nature Reserve

The Helderberg Nature Reserve is one of the treasures of the Helderberg Region. It starts at the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain and reaches up to the mountainside where hardy fynbos cling to the steep slopes. Families can picnic in the shade of ancient oaks amidst rolling lawns. Birds are abundant in the reserve and over the years some 169 species have been recorded. Several species of small antelope inhabit the reserve and visitors may be treated to the sight of a bontebok, grey duiker, grysbok and steenbok. The natural vegetation of the reserve consists largely of mountain fynbos.

There are several self guided trails in the reserve, ranging from comfortable, on the lower slopes, to moderate to difficult hikes on the higher slopes. A map of these walks can be seen inside the arched entrance of the garden section of the reserve.

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Vintage Train Rides

Enjoy a ride along the branch line over Sir Lowry’s Pass, past Steenbras Dam, Elgin and the Houwhoek Pass, with spectacular views all the way. The train runs over weekends, over the Christmas holiday period and on selected dates during the year.

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Helderberg Wine Route

The Helderberg Wine region has many attributes that sets it apart from similar regions. The personality of the wines produced in the Helderberg area is influenced by the proximity of the ocean and therefore the cooling summer breezes. The fine soil has a marked effect on the growing and nurturing of these vines.

The wine makers, viticulturists and wine growers, who craft their wine, mirror the distinction and uniqueness of the wines. Their energy and enthusiasm is matched only by the knowledge that the material they are working with is truly unique. This is also reflected in the numerous awards bestowed upon the members of the Helderberg Wine Route in the recent years.

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Helderbrau

Helderbrau is one of a very small number of privately owned small breweries in South Africa. They offer unique tasting German beer on tap and brewery tours can be arranged at any time by appointment.

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Sport & Adventures

Adventure sports

For the brave at heart this region offers the following adrenaline boosters: Archery; shark diving; deep-sea diving; fresh water fishing; rock angling; fly fishing; deep-sea/game fishing; paragliding; paintball and 4x4 trails.

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Watersports

The beaches along Gordon’s Bay, Maccasar and Strand are ideal for sailing, surfing, boating, fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing and much, much more. For the best surfing experience, Kogelbaai beach is a must. The long stretch of pure white beach is situated on Clarence Drive just outside Gordon’s Bay and is an ideal spot for camping and caravanning and is also the only braai (BBQ) area on the Helderberg Coast.

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Abseiling

Adrenaline junkies can contact Abseil Africa for an abseiling excursion at Kamikazi Canyon at the Steenbras River Gorge.

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Hiking in the Helderberg

Danie Miller Hiking Trail

This path traces the foot of the mountains at Gordon’s Bay, offering splendid views of False Bay and the Helderberg. The trail takes on from aurora Drive to the landmark Gordon’s Bay Anchor (±7km, 90 minutes walk).

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Steenbras River Gorge Hiking Trail

The trail is classified as a moderate to difficult walk thus permits are required for this trail.

It starts at the mouth of the Steenbras River on the scenic road from Gordon’s Bay to Betty’s Bay (R44).

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Wagon Wheel Trail

The wagon wheel tracks are declared national monuments.

This is a historic trail that starts opposite the viewpoint on the Sir Lowry’s Pass on the N2. This trail will take you through the “Gantouw Pass” where you can clearly see the ruts left in the road by the wagons as well as the two original canons used for signaling in the earlier days.

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Boland Hiking Trail

In two to five days you can tackle this network of paths in various configurations, There are various starting points ar Sir Lowry’s Pass, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and at Nuweberg (between Grabouw and Villiersdorp).

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Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary

This sanctuary has a bird hide for ornithologists and keen photographers. Situated in Broadway Boulevard, opposite Victoria Road in Somerset West.

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Helderberg Plaas (farm) Hiking Trail

Helderberg Plaas (Farm) offers various options for young and old. No permits are required for overnight hikes. There are five easy walks in the granny forest that offer more than 90 species of birds and many varieties of fynbos (fauna). You might even spot a grysbuck, duiker, leopard, lynx, silver jackal and foxes on your walk.

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Silwerboomkloof Trail - Natural Heritage Site

This is a pleasant hiking trail for people of all ages and offers beautiful vistas and is rich in bird life.  

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