Route 12:

Country Only Camino

OVERVIEW

GALLERY

ITINERARY

SEASONS

FAQ's

REVIEWS

MAP

Book now
Contact us

ROUTE 12

Country Only Camino

Routes 1,2,3,4,5

For many, the countryside is where the true magic of Cape Camino reveals itself.
This is all routes except the Cape Peninsula, where you find yourself at farms, in nature, silence, along beaches and coastlines with vast open spaces. You move through farmland, open valleys, long gravel roads, windswept beaches, and small, scattered communities. The landscape feels expansive and unhurried. There are wide skies, working farms, distant mountains, and long quiet stretches where it is just you and your footsteps.

Book now
Contact us
Package Duration Cost
Camino Plus 34 days R67,000

Prices are Per Person Sharing
Click the “Book” button to view the Camino Package Options.

PHOTOS

Gallery

DAILY PLANNER

Itinerary

Route 1: Riebeek Valley

Your host is Santa-Mari, a sophisticated woman of the world who loves to travel but loves her beautiful home as much. So much care goes into everything she does and it shows. Meet fellow pilgrims and settle in. Arrive anytime after 4pm and before dark

De Gunst Guest Farm

Flat gentle slope, downhill gravel roads, with a stop at Nuweplaas padstal.

A historic Catholic mission farm dedicated to the wellbeing of rural children. Rich in political and struggle history, it sits at the foothills of the mountain, layered with stories, Cape architecture, and oodles of character. Piet Brand, the manager, is macho and muscled and modest. And goes the extra mile with a smile.

Goededacht

Some gravel road and bush walking. Farmers request a no smoking policy, for obvious reasons. Long pants are essential, there are some steep sections, and amazing views across the valley and mountains.

The Lesch Family run their working farm and have for 4 generations. A strong name in the Riebeek Valley.

Lida, your hostess, welcomes you and makes you feel comfortable on the farm. Her husband, Kobus, is humorous but serious about farming. They have passed their best qualities onto their son, Pieter, who has a heart of gold and goes the extra mile.

Dassenheuwel Farm Stay

From Dassenheuwel is a magnificent walk, on a four wheel drive track. At first, a hill to conquer, and then a constant down hill.
You have two options today. The first is 9km and the second is 16km.

You end the day on the banks of the Berg River in Hermon.
Teressa from Blou Porselein in Hermon is your host. Teressa and her family offer true farm hospitality – fresh eggs, friendly dogs, and cottage accommodation on the banks of the Berg River. She is knowledgeable and always happy to help with all things Camino.

Blou Porcelein

Today is 14kms along flat farm roads. Either pomegranate or plumbs, depending on the time of year. You arrive in Riebeek Kasteel, a charming town where agriculture meets modern flair. We utilise many rest houses in Riebeek Kasteel. They are all nearby local eateries and galleries. Your host is the main ‘ou’ in Riebeek Kasteel. He runs a transport and wine tasting company and finds suitable accommodation and meals for Camino walkers. Need anything? Ask Shawn.
From Riebeek Kasteel the route is all flat, farm roads with very few inclines. On route to is Delico- a delicatessen of note! Stop for coffee, cake, a big fat breakfast or just about anything you fancy. Riebeek Valley Hotel has friendly and warm staff. Felicia is a local, young lady who is as kind and accommodating as the hotel is quirky, filled with antiques and style. A beautiful indoor pool, and or, a garden to relax in.

Riebeek Valley Hotel

Back onto the flat farm roads of the Riebeek Valley to Vlakkerug Farm, hosted by Lisa Du Toit. She grows, grinds, bakes, makes, stores, bottles a larder full of goodness from the farm. The house is set in a traditional werf.

Vlakkerug Farm

Vlakkerug can be included on a limb, or the road can take you back up around the Kasteel. A long slow gentle uphill all the way back to Goedgedaght. A beautiful green valley on your right and the magnificent mountain on your left. Baboon calls, wild flowers and mooing cows.

Route 2: Tulbagh, History & Golden Fields

We suggest starting Route 2 in Tulbagh.

Wittedrift Manor is managed and hosted by Carol- a super foodie who is creative and generous. As is the home where you stay. It is a replica of a Cape Dutch home although it is a modern build. High ceilings, large rooms with wooden floors and extravagant art.

Meet fellow pilgrims and settle in. Arrive anytime after 4pm and before dark.

Wittedrift Manor

Today’s walk is an exploration of the historical town which can take you as long as you like, before setting off on a long gentle incline on a dust road up to Oudekloof Wine Estate. A wine farm nestled below the neck of the Tulbagh valley wall. If you decide to skip the historical part and go straight to Oudekloof the distance is 6km.

Andrew and Celeste from Oudekloof Wine Estate show you a good time! Abundant food, wine and good stories, ladled with humour and love.

Oudekloof Wine Estate

This is one of the longest legs on the route. It follows footpaths up to viewpoints. Then over the saddle, down to the canal, through farmlands, across the Berg River and into Sandvlei School. The track is overgrown in parts and can provide a challenge.

Isobel has converted an old farm school house into Camino accommodation. One room with 6 comfortable beds and a bathroom ablution block. Her food is real boerkos and abundant. You sleep well after supper and the long road from Oudekloof.

Isobel's Farm Stay

Flat farm roads with big skies take you to the van der Westhuizen’s at Nuwefontein. Marina, like Isobel, prepares traditional boerekos and you dine with the family. Unless you request to be on your own. Then Marina will prepare something for you to eat in the animal shelter converted to Camino rooms. Real Camino style accommodation. If you’re lucky you will get roast lamb, veg and pudding. Melvan, her husband likes a good joke and is generous with them.

Marina's

More big skies, more flat farm roads and more farmstays with Karen at Soutkloof. Karen likes to give you your own space, in the guest farm accommodation. A lovely old farm cottage in the farm werf. Its peaceful and comfortable.

Soutkloof Farm

Today’s walk is to Bregda Mostert on a flat road just outside Koringberg. A well-timed stop along the way is Desert Rose Padstal. 8 km from Soutkloof and a perfect place for coffee or lunch. Comfortable seating in a garden with lots of food and drink choices.

Bregda prides herself in her healthy food. She and her husband enjoy gluten and sugar-free meals but not so you would notice. She disguises her restrictions with clever culinary tricks and attention to detail.

The farm is a holiday camp with abundant accommodation. If you’re lucky, Bregda will take you for an evening ride up the hill to see Table Mountain. Cape Town is 120 km from the farm but on a clear day the icon is distinctly visible.

Bregda's

Historically marginalised village

Flat farm roads and Bregda on her 4-wheeler with her dogs, chaperone you to Wittewater. An historically marginalised community but rich in green hills, mountain waterfalls and views.

Paul and his wife accommodate you in their beautiful home and tell of their love story from long ago until today. He remembers the courtship in the finest detail and can recount every feeling and gesture. They are well into their 60’s and 70’s but the feeling of childhood sweethearts is tangible.

Paul's

Historically marginalised village

Hill side walking and then a quiet tar road into the colourful village of Goedverwacht. Just over the hill from Wittewater is Goedverwaght. This hidden gem thrives on its own produce, offering a true sense of self-sufficiency and hospitality.

Lorraine Cornelius is the chairperson of the tourism board designed to raise the capacity of the villagers. Some grand, some humble, but everyone gets a turn to host a tourist. As well as feed them up with local cuisine, mostly locally grown, sourced and prepared.

Lorraine is passionate about Goedverwacht and can tell you anything you want to know about the village. She is always working hard to uplift her community and to remove the oppressive barriers from the past.

Today’s walk is in and around the village and up to the slave burial grounds and Bushmen caves. End Route 2 here.

Route 3: Sandveld

Either Kapteinskloof Guest Farm or Sterkfontein Homestay start this route. Kapteinskloof is only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because Melanie is fully booked on the weekends for a minimum of a two nights stay. So if you want to start here you need to book in for two nights or a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Melanie prides herself in her attention to detail and looks after you very well. You can request a hot tub in winter or dip in the pool in summer. The guest farm has a beautiful garden full of fruit trees.

Sterkfontein is available any day of the week and you sleep in a self-catering house on the farm next to a big dam. Your hosts Wikus and his wife are used to living the farm life and tend to give pilgrims space. They bring you your dinner and you have the place to yourself.

Arrive after 4pm and before dark.

Kapteinskloof Guest Farm or Sterkfontein Homestay

Both accommodations follow the same route to Aurora – it is a foot path along the base of the Picketburg mountains and a Chaperones is essential to know where to walk on the neighbours farms. In spring the wildflowers are abundant in between the agricultural fields.

Aurora is bright orange in spring time. A very quaint town with a magnificent NG church designed by William Henry Ford from Australia in 1909. Your hosts are two sisters who live in one of the handful of streets in Aurora. You spend the night in their home. They give you space to unwind and reflect.

A local chaperone, Marina, will walk you up the hill to Klein Tafelberg, so named because of its flat topped shape. A solid uphill. Not steep but a climb, nevertheless, on a gravel road. Klein Tafelberg is a camp and is wild and beautiful. Elize is busy running the camp and raising kids but you can be sure she will provide you with what you need. It is another quiet and wild experience, perfect for plugging in, to emptiness.

Eliza's Camp

And then it’s back onto the long uphill gravel road to Redelinghys. A town of artists. So many of them that their paintings spill out onto the outsides of the buildings, and you can conduct your own art tour by walking around the town. Janet is gentle and hospitable and allows guests into their very elegant home. A manor! She will feed you abundantly, and offer up their guest rooms while her husband is busy being an artist.

Janet's Home

A sandy walk to Wild West the next day, marks the end of Route 3. Another wild and open camp with night skies, owl cries and crazy red and orange sunsets. Your hosts give you space to be you. And to wonder why, what, where and when. Or not.

Route 4: Wild West Coast

And we hit the shoreline! So check your tides.

Elands Bay is the start of this route. You will stay at the Elands Bay Guesthouse with Paul and Audrey. Arrive after 4pm and before dark. 

Elands Bay Guesthouse

Paul and Audrey Jones send you off from Elands Bay. Paul is a passionate surfer and local builder. He makes sure you know where you’re going, what your capacity is and looks out for you along the way, incase you find the long pristine beach stretch too tiring. There is very little access so wild life is more prevalent. Turtle tracks have even been spotted as these great migrating beasts climb up the beach to rest. Birds, seals, dolphins and even whales can be spotted along this stretch. Draaihoek is a European owned guest farm run by local South Africans – the family come to the beach over Christmas and the guest farm is reserved for the family and their friends and is not available to the public for a month. They have created Camino style accommodation for Cape Camino walkers – simple, clean and safe and the food is great.

Draaihoek Guest farm

The next day you need to walk some distance off the beach and into the dunes, a tough sandy trek, to reach Arend Louw and his pet bull, Fillet. It is a warm and wonderful experience and you won’t want to leave. Arend is a well-known artist in the area.

Arend Louw's

Today the beach sand becomes harder and the houses become a settlement as you walk into Dwarskersbos. Meloney comes up from Cape Town to host pilgrims in their beach house. A testimony to the type of commitment Cape Camino hosts have towards making it as comfortable as possible for those on their journeys.

Meloney's Beach House

Back to the beach, which is now hard and shelly. Holiday homes take you all the way into Laaiplek. Ammie and Debbie fold you up and treat you to great food in their open and comfortable home, and you instantly become friends. They love the Camino concept and it shows.

Amy & Debbie's

Today Ammie shows you around the harbour and walks you to the famous Bokkom Laan for coffee on the riverside where Route 4 ends. A perfect pick up point for luggage and a lift home.
Bokkom Laan is an historical street, famous for bokkoms- a traditional West Coast delicacy made from salted, air-dried mullet. It is one of the oldest streets in Velddrift and has long been central to the local fishing and bokkom-drying trade.

The Berg River was once called Santiago, linked to the area by early Portuguese explorers.

Route 5: West Coast Villages

We are still on the seaside, but the wild beach section has been replaced by a string of villages, perfect distances apart to host a Camino.
Nicky and Martin from Sunset Lodge welcome you. Together they make a perfect team of valuable information and thoughtfulness.

Arrive after 4pm and before dark.

Sunset Lodge

This coastal route follows footpaths and sandy tracks along the quiet St Helena Bay coastline, an area famous for fishing, both local and commercial. Madoda Duli, a quiet and handsome local chaperone, will help you experience the land through local eyes. Maggie from Rimplewit Airbnb in Lampiesbaai likes to do it all herself and manages with ease: accommodating, cooking, entertaining, chaperoning and ensuring every i is dotted and every t is crossed. She is artistic, and paints maps and flags in Cape Camino colours and goes out of her way to be a super host.

Rimplewit Airbnb

Beach walking to Paternoster with Maggie as your chaperone. If you’d like to go ahead feel free, just keep the sea on your right. It’s always a good idea to chat to your host about this. Paternoster is a collaboration of service providers. Carisma at the Paternoster Hotel, who lives up to her name. Sea Shack Eco-Cabins, a rustic experience, literally on the sea shore, but not always available. James, who provides charming young men from the rehab centre to chaperone you over a tricky stretch to the next host.

Paternoster Hotel or Sea Shack Eco-Cabins

Some sections are tough, with loose stones and uneven paths, sturdy shoes are essential. James’s chaperones walk with you. Tides and terrain shift often, so stay alert and open to the unexpected. To stay with Alta at Afsaal we leave the shoreline and walk a few kilometres up the hill. Slow, long uphill stretch on a gravel road. But it’s worth it. Alta expresses love with food. From the moment guests arrive, she treats you to her goodies starting with a homemade cheese platter. The Nels have a cow, and every day, before her husband sets off to his medical practice in Vredenburg, he milks the cow and presents Alta with approximately 10 litres of milk in a bucket which she turns into a variety of cheeses; hard and soft. If you want to stay for a cheese course- ask us how, and we will organise that for you. Camino accommodation is a converted loft, or cottage living, in the veld. It all depends on numbers and sleeping arrangements.

Alta's Farmstay

Armed with a big packed breakfast, back to the coast and walk along the beach into Jacob’s Bay. This is a private holiday resort and there is very little public accommodation apart from a friendly and rustic backpackers with a labyrinth and Pixieland to explore. Hester will organise everything you need. Her friend provides home cooked meals, and Hester fetches the chaperone in the morning and delivers the luggage to your final stop- Saldanha Bay.
In the wildflower season, the area bursts into colour- fields and road edges alive with blooming daisies, succulents, and fynbos.

Today your chaperone is Leandre who is compulsory for the last day, walking through a village outside Saldanha Bay. He is a local and steers you clear of any mischief. The final night is on the beach at Jane’s Guest house. Relaxed, comfortable and a perfect place to wake up and eat breakfast, in-house before getting your lift home.

Jane's Guesthouse

Leave after breakfast

SEASONAL NOTES

When To Go

Open from March-November

Temperatures too high during late December, January and February

July can be cold and rainy

ask away

FAQ's

Why do some pilgrims choose to walk only the countryside section and leave out the final Peninsula Route in the city? Some pilgrims intentionally choose to walk only the countryside portion because they are seeking immersion in nature, silence, and rural rhythm without the transition into urban space. The first part of Cape Camino moves through farmland, open valleys, gravel roads, beaches, and small communities where the landscape feels expansive and unhurried. For many, this is where the deepest sense of simplicity and solitude is found. The final route, Peninsula, moves toward more developed and urban environments. While this section has its own significance and symbolism – including the transition back into everyday life – some pilgrims prefer to end their journey while still fully held by the countryside. Another reason is that many walkers are South African and have experienced the Cape Peninsula many times. There is no “correct” way to complete Cape Camino. What matters most is that you choose the section that aligns with your intention. If your purpose is reconnection with nature and extended rural walking, the countryside-only option may feel like the purest expression of that desire.
Cape Camino is not the same as the Camino de Santiago or other pilgrimage routes. It does not have centuries-old infrastructure, cafés every few kilometres, or uniform pilgrim hostels. It is a rural South African pilgrimage that moves through working farms, small towns, and wild spaces. Services are more spread out, distances can feel longer, and the experience is quieter and less commercial. It is essential not to arrive with European Camino expectations, but rather to embrace the uniqueness of this landscape and special South African flavour.
Yes, all walking routes expect any along the Cape Peninsula include the same services depending on the package option you have gone for.
Yes, you must take a rest day whenever you feel it is necessary. However, you are responsible for arranging transport to your next booked stop if you choose not to walk a particular section. Rest days can be wise and restorative, especially on a long route. Listening to your body is part of the journey.
Solitude badges are a simple way to communicate your intention for the day. If you are wearing a solitude badge, it signals to others that you are not in the mood for conversation and would prefer to walk quietly. This helps create a respectful culture where personal space and reflection are honoured without awkwardness.
Pilgrims are responsible for their own readiness and decision-making. If you need to stop early or adjust your plans, you will need to arrange transport and any alternative accommodation required. The route requires preparation, resilience, and flexibility.
The refund and cancellation policy is extremely important because accommodation and services along the route are booked in advance with small, rural hosts who rely on confirmed reservations. Late cancellations affect multiple stakeholders. Before booking, you must read and understand the cancellation and rescheduling terms carefully so that you are fully aware of your financial responsibility.

Pilgrim Voices

Reviews

Go Camino Farmlands first! Then you’ll understand the true meaning of hospitality
Dawn F
I have done two 1 week caminos with Cape Camino. Firstly in the Winelands and then on the West Coast of South Africa. Both have been wonderful experiences. I especially enjoy the range of choices (the first time I joined another organised group and the second time we organised a package for just 2 of us) as well as the fact that you stay with different hosts and walk with different guides each day which gives you an chance to meet interesting people as well as experience the scenery, flora and fauna. All wrapped up in great exercise and a sense of achievement. I can't wait to do more.
Valerie Webley
The mission station communities share their histories and benefit from the Camino fees, while farmers like Barend Steyn tell how new farming methods maintain the pH levels of the soil - and our bodies. Our hosts provided nourishing meals that protect the body - to better undertake a pilgrimage. This historically unique belt of our country can yield more rock-art sites of our ancestors. Artist / academic Pippa Skotnes deems the Bushmen’s paintings to be their deeds, their “claim to the country”. James Suzman writes that these hunter-gatherers waved to Vasco da Gama’s crew from the shores of St Helena Bay, but much to da Gama’s disappointment, they had “little of value to trade with and displayed little interest in the cinnamon, cloves, seed pearls, and gold that da Gama presented to them.” Suzman explains that the Bushmen had “few needs, produced no surpluses, and, as a result, saw little point in trade”. (Affluence without Abundance, p. 37ff) It is a privilege to view these sacred paintings and walk in the footsteps of our First People. Zen-like, they lived sustainably, but were dispossessed, exterminated by frontier commando units. May the breezes bear their stories that can instill contentment in Camino walkers.
Faiza (Bardien) Leith

Take the First Step

Ready to walk?

Book the Route 12 Country Route Camino for 34 days and step into a journey of connection, reflection, and adventure.

Book now