For travellers looking to swap busy hotels for fresh air, mountain views and a more immersive connection with the landscape, Wildekrans Country House offers a different kind of Western Cape escape.

Set in Houw Hoek in the Elgin Valley, at the foot of the Groenlandberg mountains, the historic country house combines four-star accommodation with access to some of the region’s most rewarding guided hiking experiences.

Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Wildekrans Country House is surrounded by orchards, vineyards, farmland and indigenous fynbos. It is also the base for the Green Mountain Trail and Blue Mountain Trail, two multi-day hikes that take walkers through the diverse landscapes of the Overberg and Kogelberg Biosphere.

A country escape in the Elgin Valley

Wildekrans Country House is housed in a historic Cape Dutch homestead dating back to 1811.

The property remains closely connected to its agricultural surroundings. Pear orchards border the estate, while vegetable gardens and an olive grove form part of the grounds. Walking paths lead out into the surrounding landscape, and the sounds of nearby working farms are part of everyday life.

The gardens extend towards the river and feature a collection of sculptures, while indigenous plants and mountain views add to the sense of being away from the city.

The house itself is furnished with antiques and features the owners’ private collection of South African art. Guests can relax in the library or lounge beside the fireplace, or enjoy a drink on the terrace.

Meals and wines are served in the historic barn, an informal and characterful space filled with art.

Family-owned and run by Alison Green and Barry Gould for the past 27 years, Wildekrans Country House offers accommodation for guests exploring the Elgin Valley, whether they are hikers or simply looking for a quiet country break.

Explore the Elgin hiking trails

For keen walkers, the property’s biggest attraction is its connection to the Green Mountain Trail and Blue Mountain Trail.

Both guided hiking experiences combine accommodation at Wildekrans Country House with meals, wine tastings, guided walks and transfers to and from trail sections.

The trails traverse a combination of private farms and public land, offering access to landscapes that many visitors would not otherwise experience.

Guests return to the comfort of the country house after a day on the trail, with hot showers, comfortable beds, fireplaces and home-style meals waiting at the end of the day.

The Green Mountain Trail

The Green Mountain Trail is the longer of the two experiences.

The four-day, 55km guided hike explores the Groenlandberg and its changing landscapes, from mountain terrain and fynbos to farmland and areas with far-reaching views.

Operated from Wildekrans Country House in partnership with local Overberg businesses and landowners, the trail is designed to provide an insight into the region’s biodiversity and working agricultural landscape.

“The Green Mountain Trail is our flagship product and is a working-farm experience,” says Alison Green. “We run it during the week so that guests can experience the real deal, so to speak.”

The experience is not designed as a race from one point to another. Guides adapt to the needs and interests of the group, whether guests are particularly interested in plants, geology, photography or simply want to walk at a comfortable pace.

The Blue Mountain Trail

The Blue Mountain Trail offers a slightly shorter alternative.

The three-night, three-day hike covers approximately 45km and explores a different side of the Elgin Valley, including the fynbos and landscapes south of the valley.

It offers a similar combination of guided walking, scenery and country hospitality, but with fewer kilometres than the Green Mountain Trail.

This could make it an attractive option for walkers looking for a multi-day hiking holiday without committing to the longer route.

Hiking through the Kogelberg Biosphere

One of the highlights of both trails is the opportunity to experience the Cape Floral Kingdom and the remarkable biodiversity of the Kogelberg Biosphere.

The routes pass through core and buffer areas of the biosphere, across landscapes ranging from mountain fynbos and forests to vineyards, orchards and farmland.

Many of the farms traversed by the trails are recognised as WWF Biodiversity Champions.

“Our trails are diverse, with different plant types and terrain each day,” says Green.

“There are extensive remote single tracks, gradual climbs and high points with far-reaching views.”

The trails are led by accredited guides with knowledge of the area’s fynbos, flora and geology, while also focusing on the individual needs and safety of guests.

Where the trail meets the table

Food and wine are an important part of the Wildekrans hiking experience.

The trail packages include breakfast and dinner at Wildekrans Country House, lunches along the route, wine tastings and other food experiences.

Depending on the day’s hike, lunch may be a picnic in the mountains or a meal at a nearby farm.

The days often end with a visit to a family-owned winery, allowing hikers to experience the food and wine culture of the Elgin and Overberg region.

Back at Wildekrans, guests can also enjoy an olive experience featuring olives harvested on the property, served with late-afternoon canapés and a glass of Barry Gould’s handmade A Simple Red wine.

It is this combination of walking, local food, wine and farm hospitality that sets the experience apart from a conventional hiking holiday.

More than a place for hikers

You do not have to tackle a multi-day hiking trail to stay at Wildekrans Country House.

The property is also a convenient base for exploring Elgin, Grabouw, Bot River and the wider Overberg region.

Guests can spend their time visiting nearby wine farms, exploring the countryside or simply enjoying the slower pace of life at the country house.

The location is also well suited to visitors interested in the Groenlandberg and the surrounding Kogelberg Biosphere.

During selected weekends, the gardens at Wildekrans Country House are also open as part of the annual Elgin Open Gardens charity event.

For travellers looking for an Elgin escape that combines history, nature, good food and access to hiking trails, Wildekrans offers a more personal alternative to a conventional hotel stay.

Here, the landscape is not simply something viewed from a bedroom window.

It is part of the experience.

The details

Wildekrans Country House

Location: Houw Hoek, Elgin Valley, Western Cape

Accommodation: Four-star graded country house

Rates: From R1,590 per person sharing, including bed and breakfast.

Guests do not need to participate in the hiking trails to book a stay.

Green Mountain Trail

• Four days
• Approximately 55km
• From R20,950 per person sharing
• Rates valid until July 2027

Blue Mountain Trail

• Three days
• Approximately 45km
• From R16,950 per person sharing
• Rates valid until July 2027

Trail packages include:

• Four-star farm accommodation
• Meals
• Wine tastings
• Trail snacks
• An olive experience at Wildekrans
• A personalised walking stick made through a community project
• Guided hiking with knowledgeable Cape Floral Kingdom guides
• Transfers to and from off-site trail sections

Single occupancy rates are available on request.

Upcoming group trail dates

• 7 September 2026: Blue Mountain Trail
• 21 September 2026: Green Mountain Trail
• 5 October 2026: Green Mountain Trail
• 30 November 2026: Green Mountain Trail
• 7 December 2026: Green Mountain Trail

Private groups can enquire about:

• 14 September 2026
• 19 October 2026
• 26 October 2026
• 9 November 2026

A 10% discount is available for group bookings of 10 people, while groups of six qualify for a 7% discount.

Reservations

Reservations: 028 284 9827

Email: info@greenmountaintrail.co.za or info@wildekrans.co.za