Stellenbosch: Historical Bike Tour & Wine Tasting
About This Experience
Cycling is a genuinely different way to taste the Cape Winelands, and Stellenbosch is the one town where it works properly: the estates are close together, the valley roads are quiet, and you spend the day at eye level with the vineyards instead of behind glass.
You collect a bicycle or e-bike and helmet at the operator's shop in town, then ride past Stellenbosch's historic sites and through the university before heading into the Jonkershoek Valley. The mountains around it form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the road winds through oak and poplar forest to an estate at the valley floor.
There are two tastings. The first is at the Jonkershoek estate, with the valley views that make the ride worth it; the second, on the way out, includes a private cellar tour and a chocolate-and-wine pairing at a farm with classic Cape Dutch buildings and grounds.
The guide carries saddle panniers, so anything you buy along the way gets carried for you. E-bikes can be reserved in advance for a small additional fee, which flattens the valley climb considerably.
Highlights
- Cycle the Jonkershoek Valley, ringed by UNESCO World Heritage mountains
- Tastings at two Stellenbosch estates, including a private cellar tour
- Chocolate and wine pairing at a historic Cape Dutch farm
- Ride through Stellenbosch's historic centre and university campus
- E-bikes available to pre-book — the guide carries any wine you buy
What's Included
- ✓ Guide
- ✓ Bicycle and helmet rental
- ✓ One wine tasting
- ✓ One wine and chocolate pairing
- ✓ Private cellar tour
- ✓ Stops at historic sites in Stellenbosch
- ✓ Ride through Stellenbosch University
Not Included
- Lunch
- E-bike upgrade (about R250, pre-booked)
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional extras
What to Bring
- A reusable water bottle — there is a fountain to fill it at the shop
- Closed-toe shoes
- Comfortable clothes you can cycle in
- Sunscreen
Good to Know & Caveats
- Tours start at 09:00 from the operator's shop, and run about four to five hours.
- An electric bike can be booked in advance for roughly R250 extra — worth it for the valley climb.
- The operator is cutting down single-use plastic, so bring your own water bottle to refill.
- You need to be comfortable on a bicycle for a half-day ride on quiet roads.
Not Suitable For
- Anyone not confident cycling for several hours
- Travellers wanting hotel pickup from Cape Town — this tour starts in Stellenbosch
Meeting Point
Ou Landbousaal, 1 Noordwal-Wes Street, Stellenbosch — the only building on the riverbank, with a large gravel parking area in front. Tours start at 09:00.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 271 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Excellent tour. Severiano, our guide was perfect, a very nice person. Beautiful landscape, and 2 good wineries. Just one advice: take care to ride the bike after so many wine tasting.
— Sergio, August
Great tour; Lee was a fantastic guide. He told us a lot about the lives of the locals. The bike tour was easy to do and not strenuous. Lots of information about the history and two exciting wine tastings. Highly recommended tour!
— Irene, April 7
Great impressions, breathtaking nature – which can be experienced even more directly by bike – a cool guide
— Miriam, April 6
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a strong cyclist?
No, but you should be comfortable on a bike for four to five hours on quiet roads. The Jonkershoek Valley has a steady climb, which is why the e-bike upgrade is popular.
Can I hire an e-bike instead?
Yes. An electric bike can be booked in advance for around R250 extra, and it makes the valley section much easier.
Where does the tour start?
At the Ou Landbousaal, 1 Noordwal-Wes Street in Stellenbosch — the only building on the riverbank, with a big gravel parking area in front. Tours begin at 09:00, so you need to get to Stellenbosch yourself.
What happens if I buy wine along the way?
The guide carries saddle panniers for exactly that, so you can buy bottles at the estates without carrying them yourself.
How many tastings are included?
Two: a wine tasting at an estate in the Jonkershoek Valley, and a chocolate-and-wine pairing with a private cellar tour at a second, historic estate.
