Please can you share, this Unique Sacred Nature Experience - [Latest Update 22 Going – 1 x places Left] - Soulful Winter Weekend Away – Rhodene Guest Farm Exp & Epic Winter Matroosberg Nature Reserve Peak Hiking Trail with stunning Mountain Views - (3 x days / 2 x nights) - Friday 15th August to Sunday 17th of August (You will need to take off work on the Friday, to make the most of the Extended Sacred Experience). We will be staying at Rhodene Guest Farm @ Located just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town. Set against the backdrop of the Skurweberg Mountains, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking view of the lush Ceres valley.
Since our weekend getaway for the Matroosberg Peak hike coincides with the snow season at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve, we hope to trek our remarkable trail amidst the snowy landscape while taking in the spectacular views. It promises to be a truly unforgettable experience and a must-do for everyone's bucket list. The last I organised a group Snow Hike up Matroosberg was back in 2014 and by requestion for a snow Hiking experience, this will be on offer in mid - August 2025
This is the type of snow that we are hoping for on Hike – By Fernando Tallie - [
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As Matroosberg Nature Reserve is Fully Booked out in August for hiking groups, we will be staying at Rhodene Guest Farm - [
https://rhodene.co.za/voelvlei-cottages/] - which is about 30min away from Matroosberg Nature Reserve and it offers a perfect winter location venue for our group. Each individual cottage or unit boasts under-floor heating and/or a fireplace to provide warmth during the colder winter months, while fans ensure comfort during the summer. I have got 7 x cottages booked for our group.
As a bonus, Stargazing - for night owls, the unpolluted night skies offer opportunities for spectacular stargazing.
Cost: R 1725.00 per person. The payment will include your accommodation for the 2 x nights, self-catering accommodation, permit fees for the trails where we are staying, organising / facilitator fees and the various guided activities on offer.
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THE HIGH-LIGHT OF THE WEEKEND AWAY WILL BE THE MATROOSBERG PEAK TRAIL
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The hiking trail to the summit of Matroosberg Peak offers a significant high-altitude experience within the Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve. Commencing past the main campsite, the route initially follows the Spekrivierskloof, a sheltered ravine where the trail gradually begins its ascent. The first notable landmark is a large waterfall, which often freezes in the depths of winter, providing an impressive setting for a brief rest. From this point, the path continues upward towards the top ski hut. The trail then proceeds past the Long Bowl Ski Lift, a simple rope tow used for beginner ski slopes, before reaching the upper parking area where 4x4 vehicles must stop. The final and most demanding section of the hike is the sustained climb from this point to the Matroosberg Peak summit, the designated lunch stop to appreciate the expansive views.
The trail holds historical significance as a long-established route. The path has been clearly defined and in use since 1929, primarily by members of the South African Ski Club who recognised the peak's potential for winter sport. This history is embedded in the landscape, with the ski lifts and huts serving as reminders of the mountain's long-standing reputation as a premier snow destination in the Western Cape. The oldest snow-ski club in South Africa is the Ski Club of South Africa, which was founded in 1930. Its main winter-sports facilities sit at about 2 005 m on the slopes of Matroosberg in the Hex River Mountains
What makes the Matroosberg trail exceptional is its dramatic transformation during the winter months. It is one of the few accessible locations in the Western Cape that reliably receives significant snowfall, turning the familiar fynbos landscape into a starkly beautiful alpine environment. **The presence of snow elevates the hike from a strenuous walk into a genuine mountaineering challenge that requires careful navigation and endurance. **
Snowfall muffles the sound, creating a quiet and immersive atmosphere broken only by the crunch of boots on ice. This opportunity to experience a true snow-covered wilderness, with its associated challenges and solitude, is a primary draw for hikers seeking an experience that feels remote and demanding.
The mountain is covered in a hardy vegetation type known as montane fynbos, a biome adapted to the harsh conditions of high altitudes, thin soil, and extreme temperatures. During winter, this flora offers a unique spectacle. Walkers will pass robust protea species, their large flowerheads sometimes covered in a delicate layer of frost or snow. The landscape is also populated by resilient ericas (heaths) and restios (reeds), which add texture to the rocky terrain. These plants, while tough, present a fragile beauty when dusted with ice, with sunlight often glinting off frozen leaves and stems, creating a memorable contrast against the white backdrop.
Despite the harsh winter conditions, wildlife can still be observed. The most commonly sighted mammal is the rock hyrax, or dassie, which can often be seen sunning itself on rock ledges that are momentarily free of snow. The area is also excellent for observing birds of prey. Raptors such as the Verreauxs' eagle and jackal buzzard are frequently seen using the mountain's thermal updrafts to soar effortlessly above the snowy peaks. The silence of the upper slopes makes the call of a soaring raptor a particularly distinct sound. In the lower, more sheltered sections of the Spekrivierskloof, smaller bird species may also be active.
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ABOUT MATROOSBERG RESERVE
[
https://matroosberg.com/](
https://matroosberg.com/)
[
https://matroosberg.com/snow/](
https://matroosberg.com/snow/)
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The highest mountain in the Western Cape province is Matroosberg, standing at an impressive 2,249 meters (7,379 feet) above sea level. It is the second-tallest peak in the province, following Seweweekspoort Peak in the Swartberg Mountain Range. The mountain is covered in montane fynbos vegetation and enjoys a Mediterranean climate typical of the Cape region.
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OUR ACCOMMODATION
[
https://rhodene.co.za/voelvlei-cottages/](
https://rhodene.co.za/voelvlei-cottages/)
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Experience the charm of seven cottages on Voëlvlei. Unwind in your private cottage, explore scenic walking and cycling trails, enjoy leisurely bass fishing at our dam, observing birds, gazing at the stars. All the beautiful self-catering luxury cottages along with a spacious farmhouse, all of which come fully furnished.
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On offer will be a 3 Day / 2 Night stay - From Friday 15th of August to Sunday 17th of August 2025 (You will need to take off work on the Friday, to make the most of the Extended Sacred Experience. With arrival time will be from 2pm and the weekend away will end on the Sunday at 2pm, offering an extended stay
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LIFT SHARING TO THE VENUE
“Meeting Point is located about 90min or 159km Central Cape Town CBD.” Where possible, there will be opportunities to share transportation and save on petrol costs when travelling to the venue.
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FITNESS REQUIRED
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PLEASE NOTE - This walk on offer will be an INTERMEDIATE to a HIGHER LEVEL OF FITNESS SOULFUL WALK due to the types of trails and distances over the three days. The accent in the steepest section would be like doing Kasteel Poort to the top of Table Mountain or a trail like Mont Rochelle Reserve Franschoek heading up via Du Toitskop Peak or a trail like Panorama Hiking Trail - Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
If in doubt please call. Extra time is added along the way for extra stops - If you need to ask me any questions about the walk, you can call me or whatsapp me on - 072 327 2840
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DETAILS OF WHAT’S IS ON OFFER
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FIRST TRAIL - Matroosberg Peak Trail offering epic Views – [15.92km]
[
https://www.mapometer.com/walking/route_3917917.html]
The Hiking Trail starts at 1250m above sea level and takes you up to the Matroosberg Peak at 2249m. It is a clear trail that has been used by the Ski Club since 1929. The trail can be done in 8 to 10 hours.
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SECOND TRAIL - Rhodene Cottages Trail at the foot of the Skurweberg Mountains – 4km
[
https://www.mapometer.com/walking/route_5571036.html]
Will be a short Trail on the farm we are staying, to stretch the legs after our big hike on the Saturday
The trail starts from where we are staying. The permit fee for this trail is included in the cost of the weekend away
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DIRECTIONS FROM CAPE TOWN
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Directions From Cape Town
We will be staying at Rhodene Guest Farm @ Located just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town. Directions will be posted in the group closer to the time
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