Fort Simon Walking Trail

Discover Vineyards, Hills & Rare Renosterveld

Set amid the rolling hills of Stellenbosch, the Walking Trail at Fort Simon offers more than just scenic vineyard views. As part of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC), our estate is home to one of the few remaining tracts of the rare and endangered vegetation type known as Renosterveld — a global biodiversity hotspot. Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy

Stretching approximately 3 km, the route climbs gently through vine rows and natural vegetation, reaching a highest point of about 380 metres above sea level. From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views toward the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain, while immersed in the sounds and smells of indigenous flora.




A Trail Through the Vines & Indigenous Vegetation

From vineyard to wild garden, the trail connects the cultivated and the natural:


Wander through blocks of Sauvignon Blanc (SBL), Chenin Blanc (CHB), Merlot (MER), Pinotage (PIN), Shiraz (SHI), Cabernet Sauvignon (CAB), Malbec (MAL) and Cabernet Franc (CFR) — the very grapes that give Fort Simon its wines.


Step off the vine rows and you’ll encounter pockets of Renosterveld vegetation: grey-leaved shrubs like Elytropappus rhinocerotis (the renosterbos), many wild geophytes (bulbs and lilies), and tiny endemic orchids that thrive in these fertile soils.

Trail Information

  • Distance: Approximately 3 km round trip
  • Elevation: Up to ~380 m above sea level
  • Estimated time: 45-60 minutes at a relaxed pace
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate — there are some steeper sections as the trail climbs the hill ridges
  • Start point: Fort Simon Tasting Room
  • Cost: R30 per person – Your contribution helps us maintain the trail and preserve the natural beauty of the estate.

Trail markers: Follow the red-line route shown on the estate map (available at reception)

Please note:

Out of respect for our residents’ privacy, no photos of the residential houses on the estate may be taken or shared. Kindly keep to the marked route at all times.