Abseiling at Paarl Rock
What to expect: Throw caution to the wind and get ready for adventure when you abseil down the iconic Paarl Rock at the Paarl Mountain Reserve in the Cape Winelands! This unique experience boasts beautiful scenic views of the Paarl Valley and is just short of a 100m. It’s an easy abseil because the starting gradient is not vertical. Included in this spectacular day out is a picnic and guided tour. Booking is essential!
Website: www.paarlonline.com
Cape Canopy Zipline
What to expect: Start your day with high adventure – and we mean ‘high’. The Cape Canopy zipline in the Hottentot’s Holland Nature Reserve is high-flying fun as you make your way down a total of 11 slides, the longest being 320m, taking in the beauty of your surroundings from an aerial vantage point. Open to ages 5-75, this is something the whole family can enjoy.
Website: www.capecanopytour.co.za
Quad biking Waterfall trail
What to expect: There are a number of quad biking options on offer in the valley, but this three-to-four hour waterfall trail is undoubtedly the most popular one. The 30km tour takes you to the Old Gantouw Pass Wagon Trail, which was used by the Dutch and British settlers as a wagon for over 150 years.
Website: www.naturediscovery.co.za
Fat bike tours
What to expect: This is the ultimate ride! Starting in the Grootbos nature reserve down the mountain to the top of the Sand Dunes, it’s basically all downhill and loads of fun! The trail to the dunes is special, running on a narrow sandy horse trail through the Fynbos, with epic views and big downhills to keep you on your toes.
Website: www.fatbiketours.co.za
Viswater mountain bike trail
What to expect: Not for the faint of heart, this circular route of approximately 30km that starts at Doring Bay and meanders to Papendorp and back again. It spans a wide variety of surfaces and diverse vegetation. At certain places you will be as close as 50m from the ocean where the cool sea breeze is very welcome on those warm summer days! At the start you will experience incredible single-track paths up to Papendorp and then you will take on an open gravel road back to Doring Bay, just as your legs are getting tired and the southern wind moves around.
Website: http://www.capewestcoast.org/
Rocklands bouldering
What to expect: Situated in the Cederberg Mountains, Rocklands is a beautiful area in a semi-desert setting. Famous for it's world class bouldering, there are a large variety of quality climbing optios in both bouldering and sport climbing. All the sport routes are single pitch and you will have to do a small amount of walking to get to the different areas. Most of the original climbing is situated on CapeNature land and thus day or week permits must be obtained as permits for bouldering are not covered by Wild Cards. Depending on the time of year you visit, the Weskus can get pretty hot, so we suggest you start your last day of your journey here.
Website: http://www.climbing.co.za/wiki/Rocklands
Cross Cape Cycle Route
What to expect: Crossing the length of the Western Cape – from Plettenberg Bay to Stellenbosch – the newly-launched Cross Cape Cycle Route offers a truly unique way to experience the province. From majestic vistas and rugged mountain passes to coastal towns and rustic inland villages, the Cross Cape is a bucket-list experience for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. Open 24/7, 365 days of the year, the route is completely free of charge, all you need is a bike and a plan of action. You can choose where to start, where to stop, and how much of the route to ride. Book accommodation along the route, sample the local cuisine, and explore the surrounding towns and villages, because this isn’t a race, it’s an adventure.
Website: https://www.capecycleroutes.co.za/
The cango caves
What to expect: The Cango Caves are an iconic site and are both a cultural and natural landmark in South Africa. Dated to be around 20-millions years old, the caves are situated in the Swartberg Mountains, 30km outside of town, and are roughly one kilometre in length. You can choose from the Heritage Tour, which lasts for one hour, and runs through the larger chambers, or the Adventure Tour, which runs for 90 minutes and requires a bit more courage when it comes to tight spaces! Both tours are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. You can also grab a bite to eat here in the Cango Caves restaurant.
Website: http://www.cango-caves.co.za
