Montaqu

Montagu - History wine and wild flowers

Montagu, on Route 62 is approximately 2 hours drive from Cape Town. Montaqu is a peaceful town steeped in history and is famous for its awe inspiring rock formations, orchards, vineyards, local herbs and healing hot mineral springs.

Visitors to Montaqu will discover the Wildflower Nature garden, Bird sanctuaries, Nature Reserve, museums, art galleries, Historic Homes, lovely hiking trails, 4X4 and Mountain Bike trails and ideal rock climbing opportunities.

Approaching Montagu from the Breede River one travels alongside the old Bains road through the spectacular Cogmans Kloof eventually negotiating the Hole in the Rock, known locally as the Gateway to the Klein Karoo.

Passing through the spectacular Cogman’s Kloof from Ashton, one finds the picturesque village of Montagu, renowned for it’s muscadel grapes. Montagu, often called the ‘Capital of the Langeberg Valley’, boasts various beautifully restored thatch-roofed buildings dating back to the 1800’s. Apart from it’s wines, fruit and healthy climate, Montagu is also well-known for it’s hot mineral springs. The local museum offers a unique service, supplying to the public a wide variety of natural herbs grown in their herb gardens and collected from the veld.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

58 km from Swellendam, and 10 km from Ashton.

Banks

Boland, Standard, Absa – all have ATM’s

HISTORICAL VIEW

Joubert House

The oldest dwelling in town depicts the lifestyle of the 19^th century. House Museum and Herb Garden.

Long Street

Basting 14 of the town’s 22 National Monuments, this is one of the most historical streets in the country.

Montagu Museum

Housed in a former church, the museum depicts the history of the town.

Old English Fort

Situated on top of the tunnel in Cogman’s Kloof (also Cogmanskloof) 4 km from Montagu.

Plaque in Honour of Thomas Bain

Engineer and constructor of Cogman’s Kloof and tunnel.

NATURE

Centenary Nature Garden

A bird watcher’s hide for bird lovers. Loveliest in spring with a 1,2 km circular walk which starts and ends behind the tea garden. Contains the largest variety of vygies in the country.

Cogman’s Kloof Mountain Reserve

Comprises of indigenous flora

Kanonkop

Drive up Kohler Street for a lovely view of Montagu-West and the Lnageberg mountains.

Montagu Mountain Reserve

This 1200 ha reserve, located at the northern edge of the Langeberg mountain range, is known for it’s spectacular rock formations. Vegetations consists mainly of montane fynbos on the lower slopes, with moist heathland higher up. Aloes and other succulent species abound. Although leopards still roam these mountains, visitors are more likely to see klipspringers and grey rhebuck. The Keisie River is home to the rare fish species, Burchell’s red-fin minnow. There are no accommodation facilities in the reserve apart from the two 6 bed cabins for hikers. The reserve offers 12 km and 15 km hiking trails; a number of shorter walks and picnic sites at Keurkloof. The reserve is open throughout the year.

MontEco Nature Reserve

Is located in a unique part of the Klein Karoo on the highlands between Montagu and Barrydale, only 200 km from Cape Town. This 11 000 ha (110 km² ) nature reserve can be explored using the extensive network of eco adventure trails for hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, 4x4ing and game viewing drivers. Beautiful scenery, interesting rock formations, wildlife, birdlife, lichens, fossils and diverse vegetation ensure that there is something to interest all nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The clear skies and the distance from bright city lights makes it an ideal location from studying or simply admiring, the night sky.

Fauna, Flora & Fossils

MontEco’s mammal list boasts forty species and includes aardwolf, bat-earned fox, blue wildebeest, bontebok, duiker, gemsbok, grey rhebuck, klipspringer, kudu, leopard, red hartebeest and springbok. Birdlife ranges from tiny Malachite Sunbirds to rare Black Storks and majestic Black Eagles, with six lark species on the bird list of well over a hundred species. Raptors breeding in the reserve include Jackal Buzzards, Pale Chanting Goshawks, Black Harriers and Rock Kestrils. It is one of the most accessible localities from Cape Town where one can find a diversity of Karoo bird species. The vegetation varies from typical Karoo succulents and shrubs to aloes, bottomboom, renosterbos, guarri bush and proteas, with acacia and karee trees lining the riverbeds. Veld flowers bloom throughout the year, but the most spectacular displays of colour are seen in late spring. Magnificent rock formations reveal the geological history of the region and include signs of glacier activity. The main fossil field is well worth a visit with the fossils having been identified as Zoophycos dating 350 million years. Lichens – the world’s oldest organisms – are found in abundance and are testimony to the clean country air.

Eco Adventure Trails

The adventure trails traverse riverbeds and venture into mountainous terrain with altitude ranging between 600 and 1150 m above sea level. All trails are suitable for hiking and mountain biking, with many sections suitable for horse riding. The 4x4 trails cover about 80 km and it takes more than a day to complete all the trails. Most visitors therefore prefer to stay for two or more days. For day visitors, a picnic site under large trees makes an ideal lunch time stopover. Only off road vehicles with low range are allowed on certain sections of the trails. Off road experience is recommended for these sections, but overall the trails are such that they allow one to enjoy the scenery and wildlife along the way. Guided game viewing drives are offered in an open 4x4 safari vehicle.

Accommodation & Conference Facilities

The reserve has different accommodation options located at three different sites. Self catering accommodation is offered in cluster of 2 bed and 4 bed thatched chalets at one site and a secluded 6 bed cottage at another. Conference facilities for up to 30 people are available. All self catering units are fully equipped and furnished and included linen. Eco friendly solar energy is used for refrigeration and cooking. Bring along your foodstuffs, refreshments and towels or make arrangements in advance for all your catering requirements. The campsite, located along a remote section of one of the 4x4 trails, has very basic facilities intended for the fully equipped outdoor enthusiast. The number of vehicles and visitors at any one time is strictly limited to ensure that peace an quiet is maintained.

ATTRACTIONS

Montagu Art Route Art Africa

Local art, gifts and curios

Something Special Coffee Shop

Handcrafted furniture and gift shop

Europa Pottery

Carolyn Metcalfe, Ceramics

Pauline Hannah Tait

Watercolours

De Wijk Art Studio & Gallery

Wimsi and Braam van Wyk, wildlife and nature.

Francois Krige

Drawing and etching

Gallery Tuscany

Works by Marlouw Walters, Babs Thompson, Vic Andrews and Louis Kachelhoffer

Studio Gallery

Works by Ronel Preston, Lyn Nurse, Pauline Tait, Vic Andrews and Glynis Eden.

Montagu Teddy Bears

Yvonne Bay

Reflections

Works of Lyn Nurse, Babs Thompson and Kobie van Jaarsveld

Fairview

Works by Raymond Andrews

Kloof Padstal

Works by Vicky Street

Turning Leaves

Cotton embroidered linen for bed, table and bathroom by Julie Lombard.

Klein Karoo Wines

Montagu Hot Mineral Springs

The hot mineral springs, situated 3 km from the town in Badskloof, are well known for their healing powers.

Tractor Rides

Neil Burger offers tractor rides to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains. Enjoy traditional potjiekos. Usually Wednesday and Saturdays. Group bookings of up to 50 people.

ACTIVITIES

4x4 Trails Waboomberg Route

This route offers the 4x4 owner a golden opportunity to test his vehicle, as well as a wonderful nature experience. The route winds over and through the Waboomberg and is a showpiece of well reserved fauna and flora. The natural vegetation varies from typical Klein Karoo flora to fynbos and proteas. It is a one way circular route which starts and ends at the Kloof Farm Stall. The route consists of two sections with the Ouberg Pass is the middle. The distance is 80 km of which half is 4x4 route and takes more or less seven hours to complete. Attractions include impressive rock formations, as well as a wide variety of fauna and flora. Facilities include a lapa with toilet, shower, braai and fresh water. Ideal for camping. A wooden hut at the foot of Ouberg Pass sleeps six people. The route can be covered in one day, or a weekend excursion

Wagon Wheel Route

This route is the showcase for the famous natural beauty of the Koo and Keisie Valley, and will take you to the highest peaks of the Waboomsberg. The 4x4 route is located close to the renowned tractor / trailer route to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains. The 45 km route can be covered in one day, or can be a weekend excursion with various campsites along the way. Attractions include rock formations, fauna and flora. Facilities on route includes the Waboomberg Stone Cabin, accommodating six, and a number of campsites, braai and watering points.

MontEco 4x4

Canoeing

Hiking

Montagu is a must for hikers

Bloupunt Hiking Trail

A 15,6 km circular route (6 – 9 hours). Starting point: At Old Meul. From the summit of Bloupunt (1000 m) one has breathtaking views over the surrounding area, and the towns of Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor, Robertson and Montagu can be seen. Abundant fauna and flora, little streams and no less than three small waterfalls.

Cogmanskloof Trail

A 12,1 km circular route (4 – 6 hours). Beautiful views, rock formations and wild flowers. Starting point at the Old Meul.

Aasvoëlkrans Hike

Starting Point opposite Aasvoëlkrans B&B

Lovers Walk

A scenic walk through Badskloof to the mineral springs (2,2 km one direction)

Horse Riding

Fishing Poortjieskloofdam

Permits required. Small mouth black bass, carp, tilapia, blue gill, sun fish – spinners and flies

Fly fishing

40 km on Barrydale road. Rainbow trout and black bass.

Rock Climbing

Abseiling, rock climbing aand hikes

Accommodation in and around Montagu