Stellenbosch -  Cape Winelands - Cape town - South Africa

A town for all seasons

The heart of South Africas wine industry, Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture thats steeped in South African tradition.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is arguably the countrys most famous, and the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area includes 106 cellars - most of which are open to the public. Enjoy a long days wine tasting, and wine buying and youll sip more than our great South African wines - youll taste our South African way of life.

The heart of the town lies somewhere near the oak-lined Dorp Street. With its venerable old buildings, this is the Universitys main thoroughfare, where modern student life sits comfortably side by side with our history and architectural heritage.

The University - Maties - has produced many of the countrys great sporting heroes, including more than 155 rugby Springboks, and Stellenbosch offers almost every outdoor activity you could desire - from world-class sports facilities (rugby, cricket and soccer are national passions) to popular mountain bike routes and six truly great golf courses.

Several Hiking trails within the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve tempt the hiker: they range from an easy 5,3 km scenic walk to the challenging 17.1 km Panorama Trail and the 18 km Swartboskloof Trail. Visit Grannys Forest at Helderberg Farm for easy walking - they also offer various other trails and an overnight hut. The full-day Vineyard Hiking Trail is best enjoyed in autumn or spring; its 24 km long that starts on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg, above the Oude Libertas Centre and meanders through the forest plantations, vineyards, olive groves and coastal renosterveld.

An important cultural centre, Stellenbosch has many galleries and museums housing important national and international art collections and the Stellenbosch Conservatoire is the countrys oldest music school.

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