La Motte Hiking Trail
Where better to start a hike than on a beautiful wine estate, that is not only producing top quality wines, but is also committed to conservation excellence.
As an estate, La Motte is committed to the highest conservation and biodiversity standards, and their hiking trail is a wonderful showcase of some of the extraordinary work that they are doing. Wandering along this beautiful trail offers an ideal opportunity to explore some of La Motte’s greatest assets – the abundant birdlife, a protea garden, sustainably farmed vineyards, a wealth of flora, resident mammals and reptiles and the breathtaking vistas of the Franschhoek Valley.
The circular route, which starts at the La Motte Tasting Room, covers five kilometres and takes about two hours to complete. The trail requires a fair degree of fitness and La Motte does not recommend that children under the age of 10 attempt it. The trail is relatively easy, wandering through the gardens and then the vineyards, until it begins to wind up the slopes of the Wemmershoek Mountains. Working up a sweat on this section of the hike is well worth it, as you meander through ericas, sugarbush proteas and blushing bride. You can then take a well deserved break at the viewpoint, where you can admire the stand of fan aloes carpeting the rocky outcrop, before heading back down into the valley. With the hike ending back at the manor house, a quick wine tasting is definitely not a bad way to finish off your day out.
Backing onto the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and with almost a quarter of La Motte’s 160 ha property under conservation, this trail truly does feel like a wilderness hike, rather than an amble on a wine estate. Whether you are looking for a great afternoon out or a day of wine-tasting and ambling, this is definitely a trail to add to your holiday activities.
Please note: On Monday mornings guests are invited to a Guided Hike where a well-informed and passionate guide will share information on the flora and fauna and the Franschhoek Valley. Hikers receive a hiking trail map, bottle of water and will be treated to light refreshments when stopping for a breather at the Lapa.
The Hiking Trail is open Mon to Sat, from 09:00 – 14:00 and costs R50 (includes a detailed map and a bottle of water).
Visit La Motte’s website to find out more.
For more hikes in the winelands purchase WWF’s The Wine Kingdom.
