Apples built Grabouw. The town lies in the Elgin valley, a high basin in the mountains east of Cape Town, where cool nights, good soil and plentiful water make ideal conditions for fruit. Orchards of apples and pears cover the valley floor and the lower slopes, and in spring the trees are white and pink with blossom. In recent decades vineyards have joined them, producing some of South Africa's best cool-climate wines.
The valley is surrounded by mountains, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, one of the richest areas of fynbos in the Cape, with proteas, ericas and restios covering the slopes. The Palmiet River flows through the valley toward the sea, and the Theewaterskloof Dam to the north is one of the largest reservoirs supplying Cape Town's water. Baboons are common on the passes, so keep food out of sight and do not feed them.
The riding into Grabouw is the main attraction. From the west, the N2 climbs Sir Lowry's Pass from Somerset West, a long, steep ascent with sweeping bends and spectacular views back over the Cape Flats, False Bay and Table Mountain. The viewpoint at the top is worth a stop. To the east, the N2 continues over the Houw Hoek Pass, a smaller pass through the mountains toward Bot River and the Overberg. The R321 north to Villiersdorp and the Franschhoek Pass offers a quieter route with curves and views. Wind can be fierce on the passes, especially in summer when the southeaster blows, and fog sometimes rolls over the mountains.
The rides from here go in two directions. The Route 62 and Swartberg ride heads east into the Little Karoo, with its dry landscapes, ostrich farms and the gravel climb of the Swartberg Pass. The West Coast Flower Road heads north to the plains of Namaqualand, where in a good year the spring flowers carpet the land in orange, yellow and purple. Both are long rides, so start early and plan for fuel stops.
Grabouw has fuel, shops and fast food, and the farm stalls along the N2 sell fresh fruit, juice, pies and coffee. Elgin's wine estates offer tastings and lunches with views over the orchards. In spring, when the blossom is out, the valley is at its loveliest, and a slow ride through the orchards with the mountains around you is a pleasure in itself.