travel-informed.co.za - Hex River Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

1768 - Just after the homestead of Buffelskraal
(Today known as Clovelly)
had been built,
one of its occupants was a beautiful girl named Eliza Meiring.

She was so popular with the local young bloods that she set any would-be suitor the initial task of bringing her a disa from the inaccessible precipices of the 2249-m Matroosberg, the highest peak of the range; the very difficulty of the task was intended to deter unwanted suitors.

Unknown to Eliza, the one young man she really favored set out to surprise her by securing a disa. In the attempt he fell and was killed.

The shock deranged the fair Eliza and she had to be locked in an upper room of the house. One night she contrived to force a window open, but in trying to reach the ground she slipped and was killed.

It is said to be her spirit, lamenting the death of her lover, which wanders along the windswept peaks at night and believed by some locals that she committed suicide.

She was called
(die heks van Exeriviervallei)
the witch of the Exe River Valley, and in the mouth of the community the name of the Exe River Valley changed to the
Hex River Valley.

The date 1768 and the initials ‘E.M.’ were once carved into the windowsill

The Hex River Valley is
lingering...

...but not for long!

Where should you go when in search of a destination that offers tranquility, scenic beauty, super hospitality; a place to
‘un…wine…d’? An answer of sorts, comes in this tranquil little village, DE DOORNS.

Situated only 90 minutes northeast from Cape Town, De Doorns is nestled between the Quado and Hex River Mountain Range, which are snowcapped during winter months.

Not only is the Hex River Valley known as the ”Gateway to the Cape” and the “Biggest producer of table grapes in South Africa”.

It also hosts the Matroosberg (highest Mountain peak in the Western Cape) and Hexkoel, the biggest pre-cooler in the Southern Hemisphere. De Doorns Wine Cellar has the longest harvest season in the world! Also unique to the Hex River Valley, is the access to nearby Big 5 Game Reserves, AQUILA and FAIRY GLEN.

The Hex River Valley is in the process of being registered as a wine district and therefore locally produced wines can soon be marketed as Hex River Valley WO.

Tourists should come to the HEX not just to taste the wines but also to walk the vineyards and experience the intensity of table grape farming. Enjoy a Culture & Heritage tour and establish a relationship to transport them back in time. Route 62 visitors often use this fertile valley as a detour.

In autumn, the vineyard leaves change from a uniform green to yellows, burgundy, russet and mocha, transforming the valley floor into a patchwork of rich earthy tones.

We recently applied for the registration of an Agri Tourism Route. Currently access to all estates involved in the local Agri Tourism Industry, are offered for FREE.

We shall therefore soon be able to invite you all to: "Come be..witch..ed by the scenic beauty of the HEXcape Grape Route."

Have a brooming nice day!

De Doorns, Western Cape Weather Today

Information and pictures provided by HEX VALLEY TOURISM
PRO: Melanie Viljoen
P.O.Box 286 - DE DOORNS - 6875
Telefax: +27 (0) 23 356 2041
Mobile: +27 (0) 73 238 2026
Email:
Website: www.hexrivervalley.co.za