Wine on Route at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm: Cape Wines, Artisanal Cheese & a Scenic Social Hike

Van Gaalen Cheese Farm in Hartbeespoort is hosting the 2024 edition of their Wine on Route social hiking event on 10 and 11 August 2024. The experience is a family-friendly 4km hike that brings together nature scenery and the cheesery’s selection of their best produce paired with top South African wines. Live music is also planned for the event.

All ticketholders get a goodie bag with their wine glass, a day permit for the trails, water, a light snack, a pen and some information on the wines on offer.

How it works

Guests kick off their hike of Van Gaalen Trails and are warmly welcomed by a different wine estate approximately every 500m of the way. Try a wine and cheese pairing with Van Gaalen’s very own handmade cheese. Hikers who reach the halfway point get a light snack to refuel as a bonus.

End the Wine on Route challenge with more wine and good food from vendors as well as live music to set the mood for a vibey atmosphere. There’s also a VIP ticket option that covers designated parking, and waiter service with platters and wine in a privately sectioned-off area.

Who are all the wine farms visiting Wine on Route in 2024?

This year, Wine on Route brings 9 wine farms from various regions in the Cape for a great variety of up to 45 wines to taste. There’s the chance to explore a mix of award-winning vintages and indie wineries such as Spier, Brampton Wines, The House of J.C. Le Roux and Alto Wines in the Stellenbosch wine route, Stettyn Vineyards along the Worcester Wine Route, Glen Carlou and the sustainable Vondeling Wines from Paarl. There’s also the chance to find out more about Constantia Glen, Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards in Swartland, and Montpellier de Tulbagh.

About Van Gaalen hiking trail

With sporting forests, pecan nut plantations, farmlands and long bamboo tunnels with exceptional flow, this route is perfect for groups and families looking to get active outdoors.

The River Trail at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm forms a loop with plenty of shade and scenery along the Magalies River and is the ideal route to develop your mountain biking skills.

Where to stay for the weekend

Looking to make a staycation out of your visit to the event? There are a number of guest houses, game lodges, farm stays, and other accommodations situated within the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm surrounds. See the full list of accommodation options with contact details here.

How to get tickets

Cost: R350pp including entry and permit fee, cheese and wine tastings, and a goodie bag. VIP ticket – R500pp incl entry and permit fee, cheese and wine tastings, goodie bag, private parking, food, private allocated area after hike, and waiter service. Kids and non-drinking participants, R50pp. Kids under 12 years enter free. Book via Computicket