West Coast and Cederberg

Malmesbury in the Swartland

The Swartland region of the Western Cape extends from Darling near the west coast to Porterville in the east and Piketberg in the north. However, the landscape is not black, as the name suggests. The dusky rhinoceros bush that gave this region its name has been replaced by tilled fields in winter khakis and summer greens.

Malmesbury is the largest town and its grain silos leave you in no doubt as to its principal industry. Accordingly, the town boasts the country's oldest milling company, Bokomo, which is ninety years old. Tours are offered. The sandy, marsh and renosterveld (rhino grass) vegetation erupt with spring flowers in season and can be enjoyed in all their splendour in the nearby Kalbaskraal Nature Reserve.

The biggest co-operative wine cellar in South Africa is one of the highlights of the Swartland Wine Route whose six cellars can be found within forty minutes from Cape Town. These include those at Piketberg and Porterville. Swartland Wine Cellar's policy of paying for quality rather than quantity when buying its grapes has ensured a string of awards for their extensive range of forty-seven wines. The cellar's most well-known product is the sweet, honey-flavoured nectar called Hanepoot (Muscat d' Alexandrie) which is popular as a dessert wine.

Malmesbury Golf Club, Malmesbury

In addition to mountain-biking trails, 4x4 routes, hiking trails and freshwater angling in the area, the leafy 9-hole golf course has an added attraction - a fine view of Table Mountain.

Malmesbury Museum, Malmesbury

South Africa's Jewish community originated when refugees escaped from Russia during the Russo-Turko war of 1877. One such intrepid exile walked the fifty kilometres from Cape Town to Malmesbury in 1901 settled there and opened a shop. In 1911 the synagogue followed. Later years, however, saw the once flourishing Jewish population dwindle in favour of city life and the synagogue fell into disuse only to be revived today as the Malmesbury Museum.

Kasteelberg Hiking Trail, Malmesbury

There are two one-day hiking routes on the farm Spes Bona on the slopes of the Kasteel Mountains which Malmesbury shares with its more picturesque neighbour, Riebeeck Kasteel. A fine view of both can be had along the shorter two-hour route and the longer four-hour amble. Neither are too strenuous under the energetic summer sun. A remnant of yellowwood forest can be seen. Hikers huts are available for overnighters.

Bread and Wine Cycling Trail - Malmesbury, Riebeeck Kasteel and Riebeeck West.

A three-day, two-night mountain bike trail passes through wheat fields and vineyards on its meandering way through Malmesbury, Riebeeck Kasteel and Riebeeck West (the little known birthplace of two of South Africa's better-known politicians - D.F. Malan and Jan Smuts.)

Porterville, Swartland,

On the way sample some of the port at Allesverloren, the ancestral farm of the Malan family. You can also visit the restored farmhouse where Smuts was born, incongruously immaculate amidst the clang and clatter of the PPC Cement Factory. Spring paints the roadsides pink with peach blossoms. Sleep over on a farm the first night and cosset yourself in a guest house on the second.

140 kilometres north-east of Cape Town at the foot of the Voorberg mountain, this area was originally one farm which was subdivided in 1863. Farming is still the principal occupation of these parts. The Porterville Wine Cellar is on the Swartland Wine Route and the local museum is housed in an historic gaol.

Paragliding, Dasklip Pass, Porterville

With an abundance of mountains, the Western Cape provides ample opportunity for those who, rather than scaling summits, like to jump off them. A steel platform jutting from the top of the Dasklip Pass is a favourite launching point for the more experienced. In fact, the World Hang-gliding Championships were held here in 1986. Local paragliding competitions take off in December and February.

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, Porterville

The Dasklip Pass is a short way out of Porterville and carries you up into the Groot Winterhoek mountains. At 2 077 metres, its peak is the second highest in the Western Cape and snow dusts its lofty heights in winter. The reserve has ten hiking trails of varying duration and a number of rudimentary shelters. The African heather and fynbos, fantastical rock formations and mountain streams will make you want to trade in your mortgage for a few acres of Eden.

Golf, Porterville

The Porterville Golf Club provides more laid-back outdoor pursuits in the form of a picturesque, nine holes at the foot of the Olifants River Mountain. A leisurely morning's pursuit of a 34 par is a popular pastime.