Redelinghuys

A West Coast Flower Road Trip with a Purpose

Cultural Adventure, Outdoor Adventure /

A West Coast Flower Road Trip with a Purpose Discover the Blooming Heart of Green Piketberg Route 366 This Flower Season Every spring, thousands of travellers head to the West Coast in search of spectacular flower displays. While Namaqualand and the Cederberg are famous for their carpets of wildflowers, Green Piketberg Route 366 offers something refreshingly different. Here, flower season is about more than beautiful landscapes—it’s about slowing down, meeting the growers, tasting food from the land and experiencing regenerative travel that leaves a positive legacy for both people and nature. Nestled between the mountains and fertile valleys of the Bergrivier region, Green Piketberg Route 366 celebrates the landscapes that feed us. During flower season, indigenous fynbos, magnificent proteas, flowering rooibos fields and colourful farmlands create an unforgettable journey through one of the Western Cape’s best-kept secrets. This is not simply a flower drive. It is a journey into the heart of a living landscape, where agriculture, biodiversity, heritage and community come together to create an authentic rural experience. Here, flowers are part of everyday life, growing alongside wheat fields, vineyards, orchards and regenerative farms that have cared for the land for generations. More Than a Flower Route Green Piketberg Route 366 invites you to travel differently. Drive through rolling wheat fields, brilliant yellow canola, mountain passes and valleys rich in indigenous fynbos. Wander through working protea farms supplying international flower markets, walk among fragrant rooibos fields and discover how local farmers are protecting the biodiversity that makes this region so unique. Instead of rushing from one flower hotspot to another, take time to experience the stories behind the scenery. Meet passionate growers, explore regenerative farming practices and discover how tourism can help restore landscapes while supporting local communities. Every stop becomes part of a larger story. A Farm-to-Table Journey in Bloom Flower season is also harvest season, making it one of the most rewarding times to experience the flavours of Green Piketberg. Start your morning with breakfast at a local farm stall before visiting the renowned Carmién Tea Estate, where South Africa’s indigenous rooibos has been cultivated for generations. Stroll through the rooibos fields, learn about sustainable farming practices and enjoy a tasting of locally produced teas and the estate’s signature rooibos-infused gin. Travel over the spectacular Versveld Pass into Piket-Bo-Berg to explore working protea farms, where South Africa’s iconic blooms are carefully cultivated for export around the world. If you’re visiting on the last Saturday of the month, don’t miss the vibrant Piket-Bo-Berg Farmers Market, where local farmers showcase seasonal flowers, fresh produce, artisan foods and handmade products that celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage. No journey along Green Piketberg Route 366 is complete without a visit to the historic village of Goedverwacht, where generations of women have preserved traditions that continue to nourish both their community and the land. Walk through flourishing organic food gardens where seasonal vegetables, herbs and indigenous plants are grown using sustainable methods. Meet the remarkable women makers who bake traditional bread in wood-fired ovens, prepare homemade preserves and seasonal treats, harvest fresh produce and share recipes and knowledge that have been passed down through generations. Their gardens are more than places of cultivation—they are spaces of community, resilience and hope, where visitors are welcomed to experience authentic rural life and discover how food can connect people to place. Continue your journey to Piketberg and enjoy lunch at The Flying Fig Bistro, where many of these fresh seasonal ingredients find their way onto beautifully prepared plates. Every meal celebrates local producers, honours the women growers of Goedverwacht and reflects the farm-to-table philosophy that lies at the heart of Green Piketberg. This is more than dining. It is tasting the landscape, meeting the makers and supporting communities that are preserving both their culture and their environment for future generations. Stay a Little Longer Instead of making Green Piketberg a quick stop on your flower journey, make it your destination. Spend a night surrounded by mountain views at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort and discover how sustainability has become part of everyday life. Learn about the resort’s work in water conservation, composting, indigenous tree planting, energy efficiency and environmental restoration while enjoying the tranquillity of the mountains. Hike scenic trails, enjoy a picnic among flowering landscapes, try one of the many outdoor activities or simply slow down and reconnect with nature. The longer you stay, the more the landscape reveals itself. Travel That Gives Back Green Piketberg Route 366 was created on regenerative tourism principles because we believe every journey should leave a place better than it was found. Flower season reminds us just how precious these landscapes are. As you explore, we encourage you to stay on designated paths, respect private farmland, avoid picking indigenous flowers and support the local businesses and farming families who work tirelessly to protect this extraordinary environment. By travelling responsibly, you become part of preserving these landscapes so they can continue to bloom for generations to come. Make Piketberg and Redelinghuys Your Flower Season Stopover This spring, take the scenic route. Stay a little longer in Piketberg and Redelinghuys, where mountain scenery, authentic farm experiences and warm rural hospitality offer a refreshing alternative to the traditional flower drive. Meet the growers behind South Africa’s famous proteas and rooibos. Taste fresh seasonal produce straight from the farms. Discover communities preserving centuries-old traditions while embracing a regenerative future. Here, every meal connects you to the land. Every flower has a story. And every visitor becomes part of protecting this remarkable place. This Flower Season, Travel with Purpose. Come for the flowers. Stay for the stories. Leave knowing your journey has contributed to preserving one of the West Coast’s most beautiful living landscapes. Experience Green Piketberg Route 366 — where flowers, food, farming and community grow together.

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Green Piketberg Route 366: A New Way to Experience the West Coast

Culinary Adventure, Cultural Adventure, Outdoor Adventure /

Green Piketberg Route 366: A New Way to Experience the West Coast Discover a slower, more meaningful journey through Piketberg, Goedverwacht, Wittewater and Redelinghuys—where farm-to-table flavours, living heritage, wildflower landscapes and mountain adventures invite visitors to make their travel count. There is a greener road waiting to be explored on the West Coast—one shaped not only by beautiful landscapes, but by the people who live from the land and give back to it. Welcome to Green Piketberg Route 366, created as South Africa’s first tourism route developed on regenerative principles. Connecting Piketberg, Goedverwacht, Wittewater and Redelinghuys, it follows the R366 and surrounding country roads to introduce visitors to the farmers, makers, food growers, storytellers and small businesses preserving the character of this remarkable rural region. Green Piketberg was launched in the historic village of Goedverwacht with local makers, tourism partners and members of the media. Guests walked through community food gardens, met the women who grow fresh produce and gathered around a harvest table filled with ingredients from Goedverwacht, Piketberg and surrounding farms. It was a fitting beginning for a route built on one simple belief: we live from the land, and we give back to the land. More than a road trip Green Piketberg Route 366 has been developed around regenerative tourism principles. Sustainable travel aims to reduce harm; regenerative tourism goes further by asking how travel can leave a place stronger. Every visit can help support local livelihoods, protect cultural knowledge, celebrate rural traditions and encourage greater care for the natural environment. Choosing locally owned accommodation, buying from farmers and makers, booking community experiences and spending more time in the area all help create value that remains within the destination. This is slow travel in South Africa at its most rewarding: fewer rushed stops, more meaningful encounters and a deeper connection to place.   Four ways to experience Green Piketberg Taste the Land The flavours of the route begin in the soil. Follow the journey from garden to table as you explore the food gardens of Goedverwacht, meet small-scale growers and discover the farm stalls, producers and markets of the Piketberg countryside. Taste fresh local produce, bread baked by the women of Goedverwacht in outdoor wood-fired ovens, locally roasted coffee, organic wine and seasonal dishes inspired by the harvest. Restaurants and hospitality businesses along the route are increasingly connecting with nearby growers, turning farm-to-table experiences into opportunities that benefit both visitors and local communities. Look out for stops such as Berg Coffee, Org de Rac organic wine estate, the Piket-Bo-Berg Farmers Market, Desert Rose Farm Stall and The Flying Fig, where the region’s produce and rural hospitality take centre stage.   Walk with the First Storytellers The Green Piketberg landscape holds stories stretching back thousands of years. In Redelinghuys, the Diepkloof Rock Shelter offers a powerful connection to early human history and the cultural landscape of the Western Cape. The route also reveals historic churches, mission villages, old farm buildings, local traditions and knowledge carried across generations. In Goedverwacht, visitors can experience the living heritage of a Moravian village, hear community stories and learn about traditional food growing, bread making and the use of indigenous and medicinal plants. These are not displays created only for tourists. They are part of everyday life and an important expression of authentic South African experiences. Travel respectfully, listen carefully and allow the people of the route to tell their own stories. Bloom with the Land Spring transforms the countryside into a celebration of colour. Wheat fields, golden canola, mountain fynbos, proteas and seasonal wildflowers create some of the most memorable flower experiences in the Western Cape. The route is also closely connected to Rooibos country. Visitors can discover how this remarkable indigenous plant is grown, prepared and enjoyed, explore local tea products and experience Rooibos-inspired tastings. From commercial farms to community gardens, Green Piketberg offers a window into the relationship between agriculture, biodiversity and rural life. During flower season, take your time, travel safely and remember that the most beautiful landscapes are also working farms and sensitive natural environments. Stay on designated roads and paths, never pick wildflowers without permission and support local businesses along the way. Live the Mountain The Piketberg mountain and surrounding countryside invite visitors outdoors. Cycle the mountain roads, hike through dramatic rock formations, explore bouldering terrain, enjoy birdwatching near Verlorenvlei or simply slow down beneath wide West Coast skies. Farm stays and small guesthouses offer peaceful bases from which to explore. In and around Redelinghuys, visitors can combine nature, heritage and stargazing, while Piket-Bo-Berg offers elevated scenery, fresh mountain air and access to an active farming community. This is a gentler kind of adventure—one that encourages you to look closer, stay longer and appreciate the people and ecosystems that make the journey possible. Meet the people behind the route What makes Green Piketberg special is not only where the road takes you, but whom you meet along the way. You may encounter women growing vegetables and flowers in Goedverwacht, farmers caring for the soil, coffee roasters sharing their craft, winemakers working organically, cooks transforming local produce or hosts restoring historic buildings. Large-scale producers, small farmers, community enterprises and tourism businesses all form part of a shared regional story. By buying directly, booking local and sharing these stories responsibly, visitors become more than spectators—they become partners in building a more inclusive and resilient tourism economy.   Plan a journey that makes a difference Green Piketberg Route 366 is ideal for a self-drive escape, a flower-season road trip, a food-focused weekend or a longer rural holiday. The route lies within reach of Cape Town and rewards visitors who leave the busiest roads in search of the West Coast’s lesser-known places. Before travelling, check opening times and book community, farm and guided experiences in advance. Many of the route’s most meaningful stops are small, seasonal or available by appointment. Build flexibility into your itinerary and allow space for unplanned conversations, roadside discoveries and moments of stillness. Come for the

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Farm-to-Table in Piketberg: Celebrating Rich Autumn Flavours in the Heart of Bergrivier

Culinary Adventure /

Farm-to-Table in Piketberg: Celebrating Rich Autumn Flavours in the Heart of Bergrivier As autumn settles over the Bergrivier region, Piketberg and its surrounding farms take on a slower, richer rhythm – one defined by harvest tables, warm flavours, and a deep connection between land and plate. Just 90 minutes from Cape Town, this mountain-framed destination offers more than scenic beauty. It’s a place where food tells a story – of soil, seasonality, and generations of farming traditions that continue to shape what ends up on your plate. In Piketberg, farm-to-table isn’t something curated – it’s simply how things are done. Markets, Padstalle and the Joy of Discovery One of the best ways to experience Piketberg’s farm-to-table culture is simply to explore – stopping often, tasting generously, and meeting the people behind the produce. High up on the plateau, the Piket-Bo-Berg Farmers Market has become a much-loved gathering point, drawing visitors with its artisanal breads, fresh produce, preserves, honey and handcrafted goods. It’s a place where the connection between grower and buyer feels immediate and real. Along the surrounding routes, padstalle and farm stalls offer their own temptations – from freshly baked mosbrood and roosterkoek to homemade jams, dried fruit and local delicacies. These roadside stops are more than conveniences; they are an essential part of the region’s food culture, inviting travellers to slow down and savour the journey. A visit to Skrik van Rondom adds another layer to the experience, where rooibos products sit alongside biltong and game meat – a true reflection of the area’s diverse culinary landscape. From Soil to Sip: Wines, Coffee and Rooibos No farm-to-table journey is complete without something to drink – and Piketberg delivers with a range of locally produced options that pair beautifully with the season’s flavours. At Org de Rac, one of the area’s most celebrated organic wine estates, visitors can enjoy thoughtfully crafted wines that reflect both terroir and sustainability. Tastings often include pairings – from fresh oysters to local cheeses – all enjoyed against sweeping valley views. For something more grounding, Berg Coffee offers a slower, more intimate experience – the kind of place where a strong cup and a homemade treat become part of the journey rather than just a quick stop. And then there’s rooibos – deeply woven into the identity of the wider region. From cultivation and traditional drying processes to modern interpretations like rooibos-infused gin, this uniquely South African ingredient moves effortlessly from field to glass. Whether enjoyed as a tea or as part of a botanical pairing, rooibos adds a distinctly local note to the Piketberg palate. In nearby Redelinghuys, rooibos farming forms part of a broader agricultural landscape that also includes citrus and grape production, with these crops supplying both local markets and international export channels. Olive Groves, Game Meat and Grape Harvests Beyond the stalls, markets and restaurants, the farms themselves tell an even deeper story. Olive farms in the region produce oils that capture the flavour of the land – robust, sun-ripened and ideal for pairing with freshly baked breads or seasonal dishes. For something more distinctive, game meat from farms such as Skrik van Rondom offers a taste of the wild, often prepared simply to let the quality of the meat shine through. Meanwhile, the vineyards of Broodkraal contribute to the area’s agricultural richness, with grape production forming part of the broader winemaking ecosystem that supports estates like Org de Rac. Together, these elements create a food landscape that feels both abundant and deeply rooted in place. Where Local Traditions Meet the Table Alongside Piketberg, and adding a deeper cultural layer to the region’s farm-to-table story, lies the village of Goedverwacht – a place where time-honoured food traditions remain part of everyday life. Founded in the early 19th century as a mission station, Goedverwacht has strong Khoisan heritage roots, which continue to shape the community’s cultural identity, agricultural practices, and connection to the land. Here, organic vegetable farming continues alongside these deeply embedded traditions, with seasonal produce harvested by hand and shared within the community. Visit during the sweet potato (patat) harvest season and you’ll witness a vibrant celebration of local food heritage, where this humble ingredient becomes the centrepiece of gatherings and meals. Alongside this, West Coast flavours find their way inland – with snoek, often enjoyed smoked or braaied, forming part of the region’s broader culinary identity. The annual Snoek en Patat Fees, held in June, brings this heritage to life – a lively celebration of food, culture and community rooted in a simple but powerful tradition. Historically, local farmers would trade their homegrown sweet potatoes with West Coast fishermen in exchange for snoek, creating a staple winter pairing that sustained the community. Today, that legacy lives on through the festival, where visitors can enjoy braaied snoek, sweet potato dishes, roosterkoek and homemade preserves, alongside music, local crafts and community storytelling. But beyond these moments of celebration, the rhythm of life in Piketberg and its surrounds returns to something slower, more grounded – and it’s here that the true essence of farm-to-table is found. A Season to Slow Down and Savour Autumn in Piketberg is not about rushing from one experience to the next. It’s about taking the time to sit at a table, to taste what’s in season, and to understand where it comes from. It might be a simple meal made from freshly harvested vegetables, a glass of organic wine enjoyed as the sun sets over the valley, or a stop at a farmstall where the baker hands you something still warm from the oven. In Piketberg, farm-to-table isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life. And in autumn, when the land is at its most generous, there’s no better time to experience it.

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Take the Festive Slow Road: A Countryside-to-Coast Adventure

Take the Festive Slow Road: A Countryside-to-Coast Adventure

Uncategorized /

Take the Festive Slow Road: A Countryside-to-Coast Adventure This festive season, skip the queues, parking lots, and crowded malls — and trade them for wide-open landscapes, festive farmstalls, Christmas markets, and slow, scenic days in the countryside. Just 90 minutes from Cape Town, the Bergrivier region unfolds as a warm and welcoming holiday escape, where summer days are filled with crisp mountain air, shimmering coastlines, local craft food and drink, and adventures that stretch from golden wheat fields to sparkling rivers. If you’re craving meaningful experiences, or you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly getaway with room to breathe, Bergrivier’s towns of Piketberg, Porterville, Velddrif, Aurora, Dwarskersbos, and Redelinghuys offer a festive season that feels grounded, wholesome, and deeply South African. A Festive Countryside Road Trip: Slow Down, Stop Often, Savour Everything For a truly memorable festive adventure, set out on a road trip through Bergrivier — a journey best enjoyed slowly, with plenty of time to pause, explore, and soak in the charm of each stop. This is where the festive magic lies: moving gently from mountains to coast, meeting the makers, tasting local flavours, wandering through Christmas markets, and discovering the textures of small-town life along the way. Rustic padstalle overflowing with mosbrood, rusks, pies, biltong, dried fruit, creamy cheeses, and homemade jams set the tone for a trip where the journey itself becomes part of the holiday. Piketberg — Heritage Charm & Mountain Calm Start your trip in Piketberg, a historic mountain town where sandstone churches, Victorian façades, and the town’s self-guided Heritage Route offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s layered past. Fuel your festive travels with a stop at the Desert Rose, Winkelshoek or Kardoesie farmstalls along the N7 — both beloved for their roosterkoek, pies, jams, and farmstall favourites that embody the flavours of Bergrivier. While you’re there, take a scenic detour on 6 December to nearby Redelinghuys, where the Family Fun Country Fair at Vensterklip offers homely cooking, a traditional spitbraai, festive music, and the warmth of small-town summer. Before continuing your journey, wander up to Piket-Bo-Berg, a high plateau of orchards, forests, mountain-bike routes, waterfalls, fynbos trails, and still, quiet viewpoints — a hidden world ideal for travellers seeking nature, peace, and beauty. Porterville — Art, Air & Adventure Next, visit Porterville, a town where creativity, nature, and community spirit converge. If you visit on 13 December, the Houtconstant Farm Christmas Market becomes a highlight of your festive journey — a joyful gathering beneath shady trees with farm-grown produce, festive bakes, handmade goods, and a relaxed countryside feel. Explore Porterville’s artistic side by visiting pottery studios and artisan workshops where local creators open their doors to travellers. For adventure lovers, summer turns the town into a paragliding paradise. The dramatic Dasklip Pass becomes a sky stage as colourful gliders soar above the valley, creating one of the most spectacular sights of the season. Just beyond town lies the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, where rugged routes lead to crystal-clear rock pools, dramatic rock formations, and sweeping mountain views — an ideal escape for hikers and nature lovers. End your Porterville day with a visit to Tygerkloof Distillery (Ginsmiths), where fynbos-infused gins and mountain views pair beautifully with small plates and warm local conversation. Redelinghuys — Country Quiet, Sandveld Charm Continue your slow festive journey to Redelinghuys, one of the Sandveld’s most peaceful villages — a place known for its wheat fields, warm community spirit, and small-town tranquillity that feels like a step back in time. If you’re travelling on 13 December, make sure to stop at the Redelinghuys Christmas Market, taking place from 5pm to 8pm at 78 Voortrekker Street, right next to Sandveld Oase. This much-loved community market brings together clothing and handmade crafts, unique festive gifts and locally made items, light meals, cakes, and hot or iced tea and coffee served by Grounded Café. It’s a relaxed, friendly event filled with West Coast hospitality — the perfect place to stretch your legs, browse for gifts, and enjoy a warm summer evening under the trees.From here, the road opens toward the coast as you make your way to Velddrif and Dwarskersbos for river life, beaches, and seaside festive markets. Velddrif & Dwarskersbos — Water, Wildlife & West Coast Wonder As your journey reaches the coast, Velddrif welcomes you with festive charm and slow river rhythms. If you arrive on 6 December, you can wander through the lively Port Owen Monthly Market, where the marina fills with artisanal flavours, handmade goods, and the joyful exchange of holiday shoppers chatting between the stalls. Return on 16 December for the Port Owen Christmas Night Market, when the harbour glitters with lights, festive music drifts along the water, and families stroll beneath soft summer skies. But markets are only the beginning of your culinary journey here. Make your way to Tolbossie Farm Stall, a gem in the heart of Velddrif and home to Tannie Aggie’s famous fish pies and heat-and-eat rolls — a flavourful slice of true West Coast tradition.   Beyond the farmstalls, Velddrif offers a world of simple pleasures. Stroll along Bokkomlaan, the iconic riverside lane lined with drying-shed heritage, wooden jetties, and intimate riverside coffee spots. Take a tranquil boat cruise on the Berg River, drifting past pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, and estuary vistas glowing gold at sunset. Explore Laaiplek Harbour, where colourful trawlers and sea-salt air capture the heartbeat of the West Coast. And while here, grab some ice cream from the Lighthouse Deli. Or get out onto the water with canoeing, kayaking, SUP, or relaxed river paddling — ideal for cooling off and soaking up nature. Just minutes away, Dwarskersbos offers safe, warm waters and long stretches of quiet beach perfect for swimming, strolling, or letting the festive season unfold slowly in the sunshine. On the 14th of December there is also a Christmas Night Market filled with handcrafted gifts, festive treats, and a relaxed coastal mood that captures the heart of West Coast summer. Stay a Little Longer: Places to Rest,

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Sandveld Fees Redelinghuys

Die heel eerste Sandveld Fees word hierdie Mei in Redelinghuys gehou en ons sien uit na ’n onvergeetlike dag vol musiek, pret en ware Sandveld-gees! Die gewilde Afrikaanse kunstenaar Dirk van der Westhuizen is die hoofkunstenaar wat die verhoog gaan laat lewe kry met sy energieke treffers. Dis beslis ’n geleentheid waar vriende en families kan saamkom om die beste van die Sandveld te vier. Besoekers kan uitsien na lekker kosstalletjies, unieke produkte, pret vir die kinders, ’n pretloop en hope vermaak deur die dag. ‘n Volledige program sal binnekort gedeel word met al die verkeie kunstenaars. Hou hierdie blad dop! Stalletjies is nog beskikbaar! Moenie hierdie geleentheid misloop om jou produkte of kos by die fees te verkoop en deel te wees van die Sandveld Fees nie. Bespreek nou jou stalletjie by die onderstaande skakel: https://forms.gle/hwJfrBV7ebFKww56A

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ENTER HERE

Join us on October 14th for an epic day of mountain biking at the Piketberg MTB Challenge hosted by Org De Rac.

Register & Buy Tickets Here