Ceres – Colour Dots

Bergsig Wine Estate

carynkaleido — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 17:23:31 +0000

Bergsig Wine Estate in Ceres has been in the Lategan-family since 1843, when our original patriarch, Willem Hendrik Lategan made a decision to start a life here at the foot of the mountain. Seven generations, and almost 200 years later, we still till the soil, we still plant vines and we still make our award-winning wines: thanks to the first Lategan who had a dream, and a mountain that was here for it all. There is a variety of wine-tasting options and unique food & wine pairing combinations! Our accommodation sleeps 6 and is the ideal farm stay for families and friends. The Bergsig MTB Trail offers an ideal sporting activity for the whole family Our Balcony Room conference facility

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Bosjes gardens

carynkaleido — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:47:16 +0000

Bosjes Gardens in the Breedekloof Valley is a working farm surrounded by mountains, vineyards & orchards. Anchored by a remarkable chapel, it has three eateries, a guest house & a spa room, as well as curated fynbos gardens. BOSJES’s massive gardens stretch across three interconnected slopes. Take the family & enjoy the landscaped gardens that are full of surprises with water features, play areas, shaded paths & walkways through the forest & fynbos. R43 BETWEEN WORCESTER AND CERES

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Ceres Golf Club

carynkaleido — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:39:14 +0000

Ceres Golf Club course was originally crafted by local community members with nothing more than a few donkeys to assist, the course offers something a little different from the average golfing estate in South Africa. The current Parklands course was designed by Danie Obermeyer. It has 9 holes, 18 tees with a Par of 72 The length is Length 5414m; Ladies 2487m Mountainview St Best golf courses in the Western Cape article

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Ceres Zip lines

CeresZip — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:13:36 +0000

At Ceres Zip lines the rock formations and changing scenery are breathtaking. There are 8 slides totalling 1.4 km for the BEST tours of the Cederberg. 1 Voortrekker Street, marketing@ceresadventures.co.za

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Dennebos Holiday resort

carynkaleido — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 11:48:11 +0000

Dennebos Holiday Resort or in English, Pine Forest Holiday Resort is at the foot of the Skurweberg. Sports and recreation facilities include a Swimming pool and children’s pools. Mini golf course. Rowing facilities. There are some hiking trails. A recreation centre hasa Trampoline, squash, badminton, table tennis, snooker, and darts. There are also golf, tennis, and bowling facilities nearby. A Café and kiosk and conference facilities available. Accommodation is in chalets, houses, and rondavels and there are caravan sites. Facilities for campers are available by arrangement. People per Site:6 Power points:Caravan power point Carson street Ceres Not to be confused with Dennebos Camp in Elgin

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Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve and Cave Accommodation

carynkaleido — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:43:45 +0000

The Kagga Kamma nature reserve in the Cederberg is set against the natural rock. The area was once inhabited by the San and the Khoi people. Kaga Kamma is an untouched wilderness. Scattered around are massive rock formations. The Karoo-like vegetation is home to many small creatures scarcely seen or found anywhere else. Kagga Kamma cave accommodation, where the rooms are made with natural rock and some additional structure around its shape to close off the room. The additional structure looks like a rock. This is a luxury cave suite that the first inhabitants did not know. GPS Co-ordinates: Latitude: 32°44’49.68″S Longitude: 19°33’46.94″E

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Klondyke Farm

carynkaleido — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 19:13:15 +0000

Klondyke Farm is situated 30km from Ceres town in the Koue Bokkeveld. We are a real cherry farm giving you the opportunity to pick your own cherries during cherry season. Have fun in the snow during the winter months or just relax any time of the year in one of our cottages or stay at our lovely open campsite. The farm has three fully equipped and pet-friendly self-catering cabins in a great location. Find other places to pick fruit and flowers here

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Matroosberg

carynkaleido — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:26:53 +0000

Matroosberg is a working fruit farm and private nature reserve on the farm Erfdeel. The days are balmy and warm in summer, but snow is guaranteed in winter. The South African Ski Club has a ski lift on the slopes here. Hundreds of bird species can be seen in the reserve which makes a trip here great for twitchers. The Western Cape is home to hundreds of bird species. For full identification and seasonal details, see this comprehensive Western Cape bird guide. In summer you can spend a day enjoying a series of rock pools and waterfalls on the upper slopes of the mountainside. Slide down the smooth, flat rocks around the largest pool into the water. There are campsites and several cabins available for overnight stays. Find info about the Matroosberg trail here GPS S 33.33012 E 19.61076 Ceres

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Michell’s Pass Old Tollhouse

carynkaleido — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:03:00 +0000

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 Tucked beneath ancient oak trees on Michell’s Pass near Ceres stands the Old Tollhouse, a quiet witness to nearly two centuries of history, travellers, and ghostly whispers. By the late 1700s, colonists used a steep and hazardous wagon track known as the Old Kloof Road to cross the mountain. Increased farming output from the Ceres area in the early 1800s created a need for a safer transport route. Construction of the new road began in 1846 under Charles Collier Michell, the Surveyor-General of the Cape Colony. It was completed in 1848 using convict labour and was named Michell’s Pass after him. Andrew Geddes Bain did not build Michell’s Pass; he later made road improvements in the region and constructed Bains Kloof Pass nearby (completed in 1853). Michell’s Pass remained a key transport route until the Michell’s Railway Tunnel opened in 1876, forming part of the railway line between Worcester and Ceres. The Tollhouse to fund road maintenance. was built shortly after the completion of Michell’s Pass in 1848. From 1 January 1849, tolls were collected here on every wagon, cart, and animal that passed through. The rates were precise: three pence per wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle, one penny per pack animal, and a halfpenny for each sheep, goat, or pig. The pass significantly improved access to the interior and supported trade in wheat, fruit, and livestock from the Ceres area. When diamonds were discovered in the north, Michell’s Pass became the main route from the Cape to the Diamond Fields. Wagons rattled through day and night, carrying fortune-seekers and goods from Ceres Station, now Wolseley, across the mountains. The pass, named after Cape surveyor-general Charles Michell, featured the Grey Bridge, a 12-metre stone span across the Breede River, later replaced by the Witbrug after floods destroyed the original. Before Bain’s pass, Jan Mostert had built the first route to Ceres in 1765, the rough and narrow Mostertshoek Pass. Michell’s Pass changed everything, making the journey easier and connecting Ceres to Tulbagh, Worcester, and the Breede River Valley. The Old Tollhouse remained in use for nearly a century until a modern concrete road opened on 31 March 1946. Parts of Bain’s stone retaining walls still line the pass today, reminders of his craftsmanship and vision. But not all of the Michell’s Pass Old Tollhouse stories are about engineering. Local folklore says the Old Toll House on Michell’s Pass is haunted. Over the years, it has had many residents, and some say one who never left. Staff at the bistro that once operated there in 2009 spoke of a gentle presence they called Nellie, a young Victorian woman seen drifting through the rooms and along the veranda. . Another story tells of a toll keeper who once lived there with his wife in the 1800s. Legend has it that the wife died under mysterious circumstances and was buried nearby. Soon after her death, travellers began reporting strange happenings around the toll house. Many claimed to see a silent woman in old Cape colonial dress appear beside the road at night, vanishing moments later. Others spoke of unexplained knocks on the toll house door or footsteps heard inside when no one was there. The woman’s identity has never been proven, and no official record links a death to the building. Still, the tale endures in Ceres as one of its best-known ghost stories. Now, the little cottage stands quietly, its whitewashed walls fading and timbers weathered. Though forgotten by most who rush past, it remains one of the oldest and most atmospheric landmarks on Michell’s Pass — a relic of Bain’s genius and a keeper of restless tales from South Africa’s early roadways. Ceres Updated October 2025

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Route 62

carynkaleido — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:22:59 +0000

Route 62 is one of South Africa’s most scenic and historically significant road routes. It runs through the Western and Eastern Cape, offering a shorter, more varied alternative to the N2 highway, which was completed in 1958. The R62 route between Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is around 70 kilometres shorter than the coastal route. It follows sections of the provincial road and passes through the Breede River Valley, the Klein Karoo and parts of the Langkloof, linking farming towns, wine regions, mountain passes and historic settlements. Route 62 is popular with self-drive travellers who prefer inland scenery and quieter roads. Route 62 is considered the longest wine route in the world, but it offers more than wine tasting. Along the route are museums, cultural sites, craft markets, antique shops and historic churches. The combination of mountain passes, farmland, historic towns, and biodiversity offers outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, and caving. Accommodation ranges from farm stays and self-catering cottages to guesthouses and small hotels, making it easy to explore the route at a relaxed pace. Take in the hospitality of the towns below. Click on the town name to read more about each one. Paarl, Wellington, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Ceres, Worcester, Robertson, McGregor, Bonnievale, Ashton, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, Prince Albert, Swellendam, Uniondale, and Haarlem. Excellent road conditions and frequent towns make Route 62 well-suited to self-drive travel. The western section of Route 62 begins near Ceres, a major fruit-producing area at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains. From here, the road runs through Worcester and Robertson in the Breede River Valley, one of South Africa’s most productive wine and fruit regions. The Robertson Wine Route forms part of the wider Breede River Wine Route, often described as the longest wine route in the world. Wine estates, brandy distilleries, orchards and vineyards line this stretch of the journey. Montagu lies near the heart of Route 62 and marks the transition into the Klein Karoo. Surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges, Montagu is known for its historic architecture, hot springs and dry, healthy climate. The town is a base for hiking, cycling, nature walks and 4×4 routes, as well as a popular stop for food, wine and brandy tastings. From Montagu and nearby Bonnievale, Route 60 links back to the N2 via Swellendam, another historic Cape Dutch town and a gateway to Cape Agulhas and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Beyond Montagu, the landscape becomes drier as the route enters the Klein Karoo. The Langeberg Mountains form a natural barrier between the fertile Breede River Valley and the semi-arid interior. A series of rugged mountain passes connect this region to the Great Karoo and the Garden Route, including Seweweekspoort, Huisrivier Pass, Robinson Pass and the Swartberg Pass. These passes are highlights of the route and showcase the area’s dramatic geology. Barrydale is one of the best-known small towns along Route 62. Located at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, it is unexpectedly green compared to the surrounding Karoo landscape. The town is known for its creative community, roadside stops, local brandy production and relaxed pace of life. Further east lies Ladismith, set beneath the Swartberg Mountains, followed by the historic mission settlements of Amalienstein and Zoar, where many residents still maintain traditional lifestyles. After taking part in these outdoor activities, there are also several areas with hot springs where you can relax. Calitzdorp is a key stop in the Klein Karoo and is widely known as South Africa’s Port wine capital. The town is home to several wine cellars that specialise in fortified wines, as well as red, white and dessert wines. Calitzdorp is also recognised for its indigenous flora, particularly succulents. The surrounding area supports hundreds of succulent species, many of which are endemic to the region, making it of interest to botanists and plant enthusiasts. With the completion of the N2 highway in 1958, Cape Route 62 has become the road less travelled, but is recommended, and you will be welcomed in the villages along the way. Oudtshoorn, the largest town on this section of Route 62, was once the global centre of the ostrich feather industry. Many grand Victorian-era homes, often referred to as “feather palaces, remain well preserved. Oudtshoorn is also the gateway to the Cango Caves, an extensive system of limestone caverns with guided tours that explore large chambers, stalactites and stalagmites deep within the Swartberg Mountains. North of Oudtshoorn lies Prince Albert, a small town at the base of the Swartberg Pass. Known for its Karoo hospitality, water furrows, gardens and orchards, Prince Albert is a quiet stop well suited to walking, stargazing and sampling local produce such as olives, cheese and wine. Continuing east, Route 62 skirts the Kammanassie and Kouga mountain ranges before entering the fertile Langkloof valley, one of South Africa’s oldest agricultural regions. Wine Farms on Route 62 Route 62 passes through some of the Western Cape’s best-known wine-producing regions, including Robertson, Worcester, Ashton, Montagu, Barrydale, and Calitzdorp. Stretching from the Cape Winelands into the Little Karoo, the route is known for its scenic mountain passes, historic towns and diverse wine styles. The region produces a variety of wines, from crisp white wines and full-bodied reds to the port-style wines for which Calitzdorp is famous. Many wine farms along Route 62 offer tastings, restaurants, accommodation and cellar tours, making them popular stops for travellers exploring one of South Africa’s most iconic road-trip destinations. Browse our list of Route 62 wine farms, or learn more about the story of wine-making in the Western Cape. Read more See Tips for road trips See some other scenic drives and road trips, and browse the complete Western Cape guide FAQs about Route 62 1. What is Route 62?Route 62 is a scenic inland route between Cape Town and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), known as South Africa’s answer to the USA’s Route 66. It passes through mountain passes, vineyards, and semi-desert landscapes in the Klein Karoo. 2.

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