There are a few things with which Greyton is synonymous. The first is the Greyton - McGregor hiking trail, of which Greyton is the entrance. The second is its 10am. Saturday morning market at which one can buy beautifully turned wooden bowls through to cheeses, breads, bakes, books, bookmarks, handcrafts, organic produce and plants, the famous Greyt Lemon Syrup, or one can simply browse inbetween sitting down to a cup of tea or coffee. The third are its lovely restaurants, bric-a-brac shops and galleries - all part of village life. The fourth is its advantageous position on the Overberg meander, with other nearby places of interest to visit. The fifth is its water - both its famous lei-water whereby water is canal fed to all properties in the village, and its two rivers, the Gobos and the Sonderend, both idyllic against the mountain setting. The list is incomplete without mentioning Greyton's winter snows or festivals. Below is a list of these delights and more.

Hiking Trails and Nature Reserve

Boesmanskloof Trail: Famous Greyton to McGregor walk. High Hopes is close to the Greyton Nature Reserve gates, which is the start to this trail. The trail walks through the Riviersonderend Mountains. Distance 14 km. Duration 2 days. (1 day there 1 day back.) Well-known series of waterfalls and pools called Oakes Falls.

Genadendal Hiking Trail: Duration 2 days, distance 25.3 km. 2 pools along the walk. Rates as a fairly strenuous hike. Starts and finishes at the Moravian Mission Church in Genadendal.

Greyton Nature Reserve: This reserve is a breathtaking one, and even has its own indigenous plant specific to it - the Pelargonium Greytonens, part of the Geranium family. There are long, medium and short walks and trails in this reserve, many of them protea and fynbos rich. Various small buck and other indigenous animals live here. This makes a good day-trip visit or can be visited on foot from High Hopes B&B.

Other (more relaxing) things to do

Greyton Market: Every Saturday at 10h00 - 11h00 at the Main Road market stalls (next to the tennis courts). Arrive at 10h00 to avoid disappointment.

Restaurants: A variety of good ones to choose from. Booking well in advance for dinners is advisable. High Hopes staff will be happy to make arrangements on your behalf. Alternately, High Hopes cook vegetarian suppers on request. We are also open for breakfasts to friends of guests and to locals on request. (Numbers limited).

Delis and Food: A few delis in the village. One basic supermarket. Packed picnic lunches (backpacks catering for 2 or 4) can be ordered from High Hopes. Order one day before.

Art Galleries and shops: Some well-known and some newer galleries are situated in Greyton, alongside bric-a-brac and anitque shops. The famous Belgian chocolate factory and shop, von Geusau's, are found in Greyton.

Overberg meander: Whale-watching in nearby Hermanus (45 minute drive away), warm baths in nearby Caledon, or visit the nearby Moravian Mission Station Museum, among many other wonderful sites.

Rivers: Gobos River runs through Greyton, then joins the Sonderend River at the well known Greyton camp site. Good and safe swimming at the river from the camp site. Then of course the well-known lei-water system, watering all of Greyton's plots and gardens, and giving the peaceful and delightful sound of running water through the village.

Festivals in and around Greyton:
Greyton Winter Festival, Greyton Rose Festival, Caledon Wild Flower Show and Elgin Open Gardens.

Horse-riding: Local riding school offering safe riding on happy well-cared for horses. See the mountainsides and Greyton surrounds from the back of a horse. Rides past fruit orchards, through proteas, up hills, down dales and across streams.

More things to do: Tennis, fishing, cycling (a fantastic way to get to know the village). Good bicycles can be hired from High Hopes. Visit the Genadendal Museum in this historic town only 6km from Greyton. Book guided walking tours of Greyton or guided hiking trails - all leaving from High Hopes.

*Further info on the Boesmanskloof Trail, courtesy McGregor website:

This 14km trail winds through the Riviersonderend Mountains in the Robertson Karoo region, and links the towns of McGregor in the north and Greyton in the south. It passes through the Riviersonderend Conservation Area, which is a declared mountain catchment area comprised of state land and private property.

The trail may be hiked in one day, from either McGregor or Greyton, but a popular option is a 2-day there and back route. If you opt for the 1-way hike, it is important to arrange for transport. It starts just outside Greyton, while it starts approximately 14km south of McGregor at Die Galg. Ample private accommodation is available in both towns, with private overnight facilities also available at Die Galg. No overnight camping is allowed on the trail, but there is a municipal campsite in Greyton.

The Boesmanskloof trail leads through spectacular Riviersonderend Mountains with steep gorges, large rock pools, waterfalls (the Oakes Falls) and lovely Cape wildflowers. At either end lie the lush Greyton and Mcgregor valleys. There is a great diversity of plant species with many different Protea and Erica, and the stream conebush and wild almond growing along the watercourses. Animals found in the area include the Duiker, Grey Rhebuck, Klipspringer, Baboon, Dassie, Spotted Genet and, rarely, Leopards. Birdlife includes the Black and Booted Eagle, Cape Sugarbird, Malachite Sunbird and others.

Physically the trail requires a reasonable degree of fitness as it continuously ascends, descends and contours the slopes of Boesmanskloof. This is winter rainfall area (generally cold and wet) and the summer months are extremely warm and dry. Water may be required during the summer months.