Thanks to the coastal and mountainous location, Hermanus offers a number of different walk/hike experiences for the novice and the expert hiker.

The Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers hikers the opportunity to learn as they walk, with a cornucopia of endemic plant and wildlife being spotted along every trail. The paths also offer their own unique experiences, with each one leading into a different part of the reserve, including the Three Dams, the waterfall and also to the highest outlook point (596 meters above sea level) at Galpin Hut (which can be booked for an overnight stay).

The Cliff Path is a perfect option for a scenic stroll along the coastline, with the path hugging the cliffs for over 10km. The Path itself takes walks from the New Harbour all the way to the other end of Hermanus, near the mouth of the Kleinrivier Lagoon. Along this path are a number of beautiful plants, as well as a couple of animals, for everyone to enjoy.

The Fynbos Trail is a more unique nature experience in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. This trail offers the visitor the choice between a fully guided and catered slack-packing trail or a self-guided and –catered trail. The trail itself has a two or three day option and takes hikers along a beautiful stretch of trail through coastal and mountain Fynbos, remote forests and visits some fascinating environmental and social projects along the way. This is an ideal trail for nature and hike-lovers alike, giving visitors the chance to escape city life for an oasis in the heart of the Overberg

Sand-boarding is definitely more geared towards the adrenalin junkies. Racing down a sand dune at high speeds on a thin board might make some feel faint, but for those searching for thrills during a holiday, this up-and-coming adventure sport in South Africa is a must do.

It is similar to snowboarding as you can choose to stand with two feet locked onto a board whilst sliding down a sand dune at high speeds. However, if you feel that this is a bit beyond your capabilities, you have the choice to sit. Lying down is not recommended lest you find yourself swallowing a mouthful of sand. No experience is needed though to take part in this adventure sport, however balance plays a big role. Betty's Bay offers the ideal location for sand-boarding, with its picture-perfect beaches and high sand dunes; a fun activity for families or friends wanting to spend some quality time together.

For contact information, please visit our Activities & Operators page.

Paragliding is both a recreational activity and competitive adventure sport. Flyers use paragliders – lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircrafts that use a harness and large kite (like those used by Kite Surfers) - to glide over long distances. The gliders make use of the air flow and manual guiding to manoeuvre the gliders.

The paragliding providers in Hermanus offer both solo and tandem experiences for those wishing to tour the town from above. The breath-taking coastal scenery and beautiful mountains make this an experience of a lifetime; one that will leave anyone with plenty of stories for the future. During the flight, flyers are also privy to the undisturbed wildlife below, including deer, baboons, blue cranes and other wildlife. Swallows, eagles and crows have also been known to fly close to the gliders.

The flight itself usually lasts around 45 minutes and includes a quick safety presentation for newcomers. Overall, the flight is an adrenaline filled one, with plenty to see and take in.

In 2002 Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took up the challenge of establishing a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region. The 40 hectares of rolling land on the mountainous slopes of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge had never been planted to vines before, but recognising the vast potential, they set out with tenacity and determination to transform it into a model wine farm. Nowadays the farm and restaurant are a popular stop along the Wine Route.

Situated high up the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near Hermanus, Creation’s vines climb the steep hills of Babylon Toren Mountain to a lofty altitude of 350 metres above sea level. Here they bask in generous sunlight, flourish in 450-million-year-old clay loam soils with decomposed Bokkeveld shale and these factors result in full-flavoured grapes of outstanding quality, allowing for the creation of complex wines with length and depth.

Creation is also a member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and is committed to conserving the natural heritage of the area by implementing long-term biodiversity as well as sustainability programmes. The farm also complies with the sustainability guidelines laid down by the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme and all our recent releases boast the proud ‘green seal’.

Creation’s tasting area has been built according to the owner’s preference – in a location that best exhibits all that Creation and the area has to offer. The tastings includes canape wine and food pairings, secret wine and food pairings as well as a 10 AM brunch pairing. The modern and bright structure opens up onto wide balconies and a small garden in which visitors are welcome to enjoy their wine tastings and pairings whilst being surrounded by beautiful artworks and architecture that create the overall impression of light and elegance, something that Creation has always aimed to achieve in both their wines and their food.

WINE TASTING TIMES
Monday - Friday | 10h00 - 17h00
Saturday - Sunday | 10h00 - 17h00

RESTAURANT TIMES
Monday - Friday | 11h00 - 16h00
Saturday - Sunday | 11h00 - 16h00

The Market in the Garden, found amongst the trees in the beautiful St Peters Church gardens in Hermanus, is a bustling and enjoyable place to spend your Saturdays from 09h00 to 14h00. Enjoy a wide variety of food, drinks, arts & craft, jewellery, farm fresh produce, home made delicatessen, breakfast/brunch/lunch and all the yummy and trendy stuff that make a market so much fun.

There is also live music and this family friendly environment is a perfect place to enjoy time away from normal life.

The Salandra Country Market is one of the newest markets in Hermanus and works in conjunction with the Country Market that happens in Hermanus as well. The market will include many great foods and wines as well as music and entertainment for children. You can find this lovely market along the R43 towards Arabella Hotel & Spa, close to the Shell Service Station.

The market is open every Sunday from 08h00 - 16h00. For more information feel free to contact Rodney on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The FynArts Gallery presents rotating exhibitions of the work of prominent South African artists. A new solo or group exhibition is installed monthly with a variety of art disciplines being reflected in each exhibition.  The gallery was established in April 2018 as an extension of the Hermanus FynArts festival which takes place in June each year. Many of the artists invited to exhibit in the FynArts festival exhibitions  since its inauguration in June 2013, have also been invited to exhibit in the FynArts gallery 

Artworks are professionally packed and shipped to destinations throughout the world.

To receive invitations to the opening of exhibitions at the FynArts Gallery please click here.   

Background

Hamilton Russell Vineyards – one of the most southerly wine estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea – pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as among the finest in the New World, while bearing, at times, an uncanny resemblance to classic Pinot noir and Chardonnay from the Old World.

Owner, Anthony Hamilton Russell, took over from his father and founder, Tim Hamilton Russell in 1991, and bought the property from the family in 1994.  Tim originally purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975 and was the pioneering winegrower in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with their first vintage in 1981.  Anthony narrowed their focus to Pinot noir and Chardonnay alone and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an “Estate", committing to only work with grapes from their terroir.  Extensive soil research in 1994 identified 52 hectares of stony, iron and clay-rich, shale-derived soil as optimal for the individual, classic, origin expressive style they aim for.  The team focuses on producing a single estate grown Pinot noir and a single estate grown Chardonnay as a red and white expression of their 52 hectare monopole on their 170 hectare estate.

Anthony with his wife Olive, winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, are completely dedicated to expressing the personality of Hamilton Russell Vineyards in their wines. Tiny yields and intense worldwide demand keep the elegant, highly individual, estate grown Pinot noir and Chardonnay in short supply.

Opening hours
Monday - Friday - 09h00 - 17h00  
Saturday - 09h00 - 14:00