Green Mountain Eco Route
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Green Mountain Eco Route - Blending Wine with BiodiversityThe world's first biodiversity wine route.Conservation, Sustainability and Social Upliftment. All members belong to the Groenlandberg Conservancy. All wine growers and grape producers are Biodiversity Wine Initiative members or champions. |
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De Rust Estate, N2, Grabouw, Western Cape |  |
Bookings |
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+27 (0) 21 844 0975 |  |
N/A |
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083 456 2181 (a/h) |  |
Website |
The members of the Green Mountain Eco Route follow profitable, sustainable and ethical business principles and commit to the social upliftment of historically disadvantaged communities by using local people and resources throughout the route around the Groenland Mountain.
Info & Photos
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to all the genes, species, eco-systems and processes that allow life to persist over time. When biodiversity is intact, species and eco-systems are resilient, enabling them to adapt to environmental changes. When biodiversity is lost, nature responds unpredictably, making it difficult for growers to plan production and protect natural resources.
The Green Mountain Eco Route exposes visitors to both the wine and the biodiversity experience of each participating wine producer around the Groenland Mountain with the villages Bot River (Botrivier), Elgin Valley Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Tours of the natural vegetation communicate the wine producer's stories and the role of biodiversity conservation in sustainable wine production.
The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest yet richest plant kingdom on earth, and has earned international recognition as both a global biodiversity hotspot and South Africa’s newest World Heritage Site, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. However, the Cape Floral Kingdom is under increasing threat from agriculture, urban development and invasive alien species, with only 9% of the unique renosterveld and lowland fynbos eco-systems remaining. Since 80% of the Cape Floral Kingdom is privately owned, landowner participation in conservation efforts is essential.
Following an initial study by the Botanical Society of South Africa and Conservation International, the wine industry and the conservation sector have embarked on a pioneering partnership to conserve the rich biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
The Biodiversity and Wine Initiative aims to:
- Prevent further loss of habitat in critical sites
- Increase the total area set aside as natural habitat in contractually protected areas
- Promote changes in farming practices that will enhance the suitability of vineyards as habitat for biodiversity, and
- Reduce farming practices that have a negative impact on biodiversity, both in the vineyards and the surrounding natural habitat
The Groenlandberg Conservancy
“Conservancies function like an environmental club, where landowners join hands to improve the conservation status, sustainable utilization and aesthetic value of the natural resources on their property." Justine Sharples, conservancy co-ordinator for Cape Nature Conservation (CNC) in the Garden Route.
Purpose and advantages
Some of the advantages of establishing the Groenlandberg Conservancy in a rural environment include:
- Conservation of our environment, fynbos and its bio-diversity (flora and fauna).
- Increased interest by botanists in doing surveys of flora in the area.
- Access to biological control measures and expertise for alien control.
- Improved possibilities for government support in alien clearing.
- Re-establishment of wildlife in area.
- Fire protection and management.
- Increase in eco-tourism and business opportunities (job creation).
- Increased environmental awareness and education.
- Closer contact with immediate neighbours for mutual benefit – community-based problem-solving
Eco-Tourism
Eco-tourism is assumed to:
- Include activities in natural settings, as well as historic and cultural pursuits
- Be limited to sustainable activities that do not consume resources or degrade the natural or social environment and minimize negative environmental and social impact
- Promote travel that has an educational component and increases awareness of local environmental, social and cultural issues
- Be based on sound resource management and planning,
- Be as much an ethic or philosophy of travel, as a tourism product.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Along the Green Mountain Eco Route you can choose from boutique hotels, country and guest houses, B&B’s, self-catering cottages, lodges and tented camps. From upmarket to basic, gardens and vineyards, accommodation options include Bot River (Botrivier), Elgin Valley Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp.
Villa Exner Exclusive Boutique Hotel***** |
Grabouw |
The spacious, comfortable and elegant property is complemented by a sundeck and shaded verandas with tranquil views over the surrounding mountains. Enjoy the abundant bird life, nature walks, horse riding or a round of golf, before cooling down in the large salt-water pool or take a dip at one of the nearby beaches. |
Porcupine Hills Guest Farm **** |
on Van der Stel Pass |
Porcupine Hills Guest Farm is situated within Diepklowe Nature Reserve. Although the 300-hectare property is a designated private nature reserve, Porcupine Hills is also a working olive farm and we pressed our first oil in the fall of 2004. There are two rivers running through the property, the Botriver and the Kloof River. In addition to the colonial style main residence, there are five guest cottages scattered throughout the property and each one is entirely private and unique. We work hard to ensure that the reserve, the farm and the guest facilities commingle peacefully and productively With an emphasis on simple, refined luxury, all the cottages at Porcupine Hills Guest Farm are fitted with 100% cotton percale bed linens, down duvets, sumptuous bath towels, pool towels, top-of-the–range bathroom amenities, underfloor heating, ceiling fans, and fresh flowers. Fridges come stocked with cold drinks, beer and wine, and guests may take fresh produce and eggs from the farm whenever available. |
Wildekrans Country House**** |
in the Houw Hoek Valley |
Wildekrans is also a proud member of both the Greenwood Guide UK collection and the Overberg Meander. Both the historic homestead and the Cape cottages are available for bed & breakfast or self-catering country holidays. Both offer four poster beds, and are spacious and comfortable. Walking, hiking, birding, country food (for guests only – 24 hrs notice required), wine tasting, olive harvests. |
Goedvertrouw Wine Estate and B&B |
on the Van der Stel pass |
Goedvertrouw Wine Estate and B&B is no ordinary home. It is a place of handcrafted wines, homemade meals, an enchanted country garden and abundant birdlife. Full of life, yet peaceful and soulful, it takes on the character of its owners. A real working farm, Elreda Pillman continues to live out the dream her and late husband, Arthur shared. The house in which Elreda now resides at Goedvertrouw, was originally built in 1820, making it one of the oldest houses in the area. The old bell in front of their home was used to summons the slaves on the farm in the first half of the 19th century and to signal the arrival of the train from Cape Town, which would transport vegetables grown in the area to Cape Town. The Goedvertrouw property also has an old graveyard of early settlers to this part of the Cape. Situated on the Van der Stel Pass between Botrivier and Villiersdorp, this magical world of flowers and birds surrounds the old homestead and affords a view down the valley gazing over the geese in the pond, the hand-reared lambs, piglets and cattle. Make sure you stay for one of Elreda’s homemade meals whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In summer, you’ll be served on the stoep and after hours of eating, drinking and being mesmerised you’ll struggle to leave which is okay as there are 3 double-bed en-suite rooms in the house. In winter you will be seated cosily in the tasting room or in the homestead’s lounge alongside the fireplace. Don’t leave without a block of farm-churned butter, a loaf of freshly baked bread and a case of hand-bottled, hand-labeled wine. |
Vredelust B&B*** |
in Villiersdorp |
Vredelust B&B is a charming retreat in the beautiful village of Villiersdorp, situated near the Theewaterskloof Dam (7th Largest Dam in South Africa). Vredelust is within walking distance of the town centre and restaurants. It comprises three en suite bedrooms in the main house and 4 quaint self-catering units, all en suite set within the grounds. All rooms contain a television with DSTV access. Tea and Coffee making facilities with health rusks provided. Breakfast is served on request in our dining room. The self-catering units comprise an open plan double bedroom and a fully equipped kitchenette. There is the facility to put in an extra bed if so required to cater for children in their parent’s rooms. Safe secure parking is provided with electronic gate. Braai/barbecue facilities also available. |
Tri Active Tented Lodge*** |
in the Elgin Valley |
The lodge comprises 12 twin bedded units with en-suite facilities, built on permanent bases. They are roomy and comfortable and are fully equipped to lodge standards with electricity supply in all units. The spacious main building is suitable for conferencing and dining with the cosy "Wildcats” pub as the focal point. The wooden deck is ideal for relaxing with a sundowner and watching the prolific bird life in the gardens below. Generous barbecue facilities allow for spit roasts, traditional braais and potjiekos meals, and from our kitchen, our executive chef prepares a delicious range of menus to suit all tastes. Enjoy a weekend away or a mid-week break, and participate in the many activities offered from our property. |
Beaumont Guest Cottages*** |
in Botriver |  The farm, Compagnes Drift, is a treasure for bird-watchers, botanists, lovers of vernacular architecture, wine tasters, artists, ramblers…and anyone who simply needs a quiet country getaway. Two beautifully restored old farm cottages, one an original eighteenth-century mill house, offer serene accommodation and the ideal base from which to explore the diverse uniqueness of this special part of the world, where conservation and creation go hand-in-hand. Summer time is swimming time in two beautiful mountain-water dams.Tel: 028 2849194 Fax: 028 2849733 |
Mofam River Lodge & Ski School**** |
in the Elgin Valley |
This Lodge offers waterskiing, canoeing, bass fishing, quadbiking, hiking trail & heaps of chill out time!. Enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, the picturesque mountains, the calming flow of the lake, and our warm hospitality. We have 9 serviced chalets as well as 2 self catering River Chalets and prices range from R250 - R900 per night |
A hidden gem, intimate Villa Exner is a romantic hideaway in the Elgin Winelands just outside Cape Town. Nestled in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the family-run boutique hotel is characterised by excellence, ambience and personal attention to detail.
Six luxury rooms with private terraces.
Situated on a fruit farm in the peaceful and scenic Houw Hoek Valley, surrounded by mountains, and just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Wildekrans Country House is country living at its best. Being close to the Whale Coast, the beautiful beaches of Hermanus, as well as the Walker Bay wine route and other wine tasting areas of the Western Cape, make this the ideal country retreat.
3 Stars Bed & Breakfast and Self-catering Accommodation
Our tented lodge, surrounded by forests and orchards, nestled in the heart of the Elgin Valley, with easy access from the N2, provides an excellent venue for a variety of occasions. Whether it is for a multi-day team build, conference, product launch or corporate event or just a group of friends or individuals looking for a superb venue, it will surpass your expectations.
Nestled in a mountain valley, Mofam’s unique surroundings and superb facilities make for the perfect skiing experience. Located in the Elgin Valley…a stunningly peaceful, rustic, and unique area not far from Cape Town … you will be able to enjoy the tourist attractions as well as the wine regions. This waterski school is the ideal training ground for professional as well as recreational skiers and their families. Enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, the picturesque mountains, the calming flow of the lake, and our warm hospitality.Hiking Trail
HIking Trails
Choose from a multitude of hiking trails available in the area. From 1 to 4 day trails are available covering wine, flowers, art and food. What could be better than covering all in a space of a weekend and experiencing the warmth and hospitality seldom found elsewhere.
WINE TASTING & TOURS
The Green Mountain Eco Route, the world’s first biodiversity wine route, offers scenic beauty, natural diversity of terroir and a wide range of wine styles around the Groenland Mountain with the villages Bot River (Botrivier), Elgin Valley Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
During wine tasting & wine tours, visitors are exposed to both the wine and the biodiversity experience of each participating producer in the wine wards Elgin and Walker Bay. For example, guides from the local community will conduct tours of the natural vegetation, communicating the wine producer's story and the role of biodiversity conservation in sustainable wine production. The biodiversity wine route is an opportunity to create employment and develop a new eco tourism angle for South African wine tourism.
FLOWER TOURS
With 87 red data plant species, the Green Mountain Eco Route is a prime destination for botanical tours. A highly threatened vegetation type, renosterveld, constitutes as much as 5000 ha of the Groenlandberg Conservancy. Renosterveld is exceptionally rich in plant species and many of these plants are indigenous to the area. Choose from a variety of flower tours & trails for a unique experience in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom with the exceptional Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.
Make sure not to miss the Elgin Open Gardens in October/November, when private gardens open to the public during two weekends only.
ART AND MUSIC TRAIL
The Green Mountain Eco Route combines attractions including wine farms, activities, events, accommodations, restaurants, wedding & conference venues. Experience Art & Music in local galleries and Painting workshops, visit the concerts at the Outdoor Amphitheatre, a unique natural venue built from wood felled on the farm. Watch out for craft available from the local farm stalls, art on display at your fine country accommodation and music evenings at restaurants and pubs.
COUNTRY FOOD TRAIL
Along the Green Mountain Eco Route are a number of country food treats not to be missed:
Sit in the restaurant on the porch overlooking the water and listening to the birds while you sample fresh organic food from the garden, enjoy gourmet dinners and fine dining or stop for a country lunch at any of our farm stalls, choose from an array of fresh groceries and delicious treats to take home at the Elgin Country Market, book a picnic, remember to taste and buy your favourite wine from the Green Mountain Eco Route and choose a spot under a tree, along the river, amongst the oaks or on a hillside to relax and indulge your senses. For groups, weddings, functions and conferences we have a wonderful variety of venues to choose from.
ADVENTURE TRAILS
We have rivers, mountains and dams for you to explore by leisurely walks and hikes, by mountain bike or horse-back. Our expert local guides will take you abseiling and rock climbing in our beautiful gorges as well as on guided 4x4 or quad bike fynbos and birding tours. Bass fishing and trout fishing are among the variety of things to do around the Groenland Mountain with the villages Bot River (Botrivier), Elgin Valley Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
