Discover Clanwilliam: Rooibos and Mountain Views

Clanwilliam combines rooibos experiences with walking trails and views of the mountains and the Clanwilliam Dam. There are also activities related to the town’s history and rock art sites in the surrounding area. Depending on whether you want to focus on nature, culture or tastings, you can shape your trip around different interests.

Walking Trails and Views

Well-marked walking trails in Ramskop Nature Reserve lead to viewpoints overlooking the mountains and the Clanwilliam Dam. Nature and scenery are therefore part of the Clanwilliam experience. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can make these trails a focus of your trip alongside the activities in town.

The Clanwilliam Dam also offers a reason to explore the area around the water: the local Angling Club regularly holds fishing competitions there, including the Bass Classic in October. Since dates and whether events will continue are important for planning, check the latest event details in advance.

Rooibos as a Theme for Your Stay

Clanwilliam lies at the centre of the Rooibos Route. It offers seven themed sections, including rooibos cultivation, activities, history and food and drink experiences. You can use these different aspects of rooibos to guide your explorations, rather than limiting your stay to a single tasting.

House of Rooibos offers rooibos-inspired drinks and treats, as well as an extensive selection of rooibos products and souvenirs. It’s a good fit for a visit where, alongside enjoying refreshments, you’d also like to browse rooibos-related products; the selection may change. Velskoendraai offers something different: tastings from a selection of more than 100 flavoured or blended rooibos teas. The tastings and selection may also change.

The two offerings differ mainly in what they focus on: drinks, treats and products at House of Rooibos, or a wide selection of teas to sample at Velskoendraai. This can help you choose the right rooibos experience for your stay.

Local History and Discoveries

The Old Gaol Museum explores the history of the rooibos industry. Exhibits include machinery from the early 20th century and hand tools that were in common use at the time. If you’re interested in the development of the local rooibos tradition, these objects offer a tangible way to explore it. Before your visit, check whether the exhibition described is currently on display.

Stepnie offers a historical walking tour through the town centre. It focuses on Clanwilliam’s local history, while the Rooibos Route covers a broader theme. Check the tour’s current availability before travelling. Visitors can tour the Strassbergers Shoe Factory and buy Veldskoene; check in advance whether visits are currently possible.

An activity for children is also part of local cultural life: Finbond Kunssentrum vir die Jeug offers children free art classes, with their work displayed at the Clanwilliam Tourism Bureau. Check before visiting whether the activity is currently running. This makes it easier to plan which discoveries focus on rooibos history, local history or creative activities.

Rock Art in the Surrounding Area

The Sevilla Rock Art Trail is 34 km from Clanwilliam. Along the 5 km trail beside the Brandewyn River are nine rock art sites, considered some of the region’s finest examples of South African San rock art. Hikers may encounter springbok, eland, small game, rock hyraxes and baboons along the way, and can observe native plants and birds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

The trail combines rock art with nature observation, while the walking trails in Ramskop Nature Reserve offer views of the mountains and dam. If you plan to include both kinds of outdoor experience, keep the trail’s stated distance from Clanwilliam in mind.

Choosing the Right Base

When choosing accommodation, consider whether you mainly want to enjoy the activities in Clanwilliam or also explore nearby destinations. A resort on the banks of the Clanwilliam Dam offers chalets and a camping area with powered and unpowered sites; it also provides a good view of the dam. The facilities on offer may change, so check what is currently available in advance.

The experiences offer different highlights: rooibos activities and local history are in Clanwilliam, while the Sevilla Rock Art Trail is 34 km away.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Porterville, Citrusdal, Moorreesburg, Vanrhynsdorp, Velddrif, Langebaan, Saldanha, Koringberg.

For the overview of the wider region: West Coast.