Nestled in the Picturesque North West Province of South Africa, Hartbeespoort offers a tranquil weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Known for the infamous Hartbeespoort Dam right at the centre of this charming destination; it also offers some great recreational activities and stunning scenery.
Hartbeespoort, also known as Harties, is situated just North of Johannesburg and is the perfect weekend getaway for ‘Gautengers’ since it is only an hour’s drive. You can expect some beautiful mountain views, as the Magaliesberg Mountain range surrounds this quaint little town.
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Top things to do in Hartbeespoort
Even though the Hartbeespoort region is very small, there is a lot that you can do over the weekend.
Here is a list of my favourite things to do:
Visit Jasmyn Windmill
When you enter Hartbeespoort, you cannot miss the giant windmill. At Jasmyn Windmill (📍), you can enjoy a lovely breakfast at one of the many restaurants. You will also find the cutest bookshop and the gardens there are just breathtaking. Once you are done enjoying your breakfast and exploring all the little shops, then go visit the ‘Jasmyn Plaasprodukte’ (Jasmine Farm Products) where you can get some fresh produce and other delicious delights.
Discover the Harties Cable Way
For panoramic views and a thrilling ride, hop aboard the Harties Cableway (📍) – the longest mono-cable aerial way in Africa. The cable car takes you to the top of the Magaliesberg, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Hartbeespoort Dam and the surrounding areas. The summit also features some walking trails and a restaurant.
Enjoy the views at Hartbeespoort Dam Wall
The Hartbeespoort Dam Wall (📍) is 149.5 meters long and 59.4 meters high. There is only a single-lane road that crosses the dam wall, so if you want to savour the views, park your car on the end and walk across the dam wall.
The water for the reservoir comes from the Crocodile River and the Magalies River, and the view here is especially magical after a good rainfall season.
Have drinks at Almost Orange
Almost Orange (📍) is a tapas-style eatery with a wide variety of craft gin and craft beer. Almost Orange is nestled in a beautiful and peaceful citrus orchard and it makes you feel like you are in a different country.
Make sure to visit Almost Orange during wintertime, as this is when the trees will be full of fruit, which would make for gorgeous Instagram photos.
Grab a bite to eat at Silver Orange Bistro
If you are looking for delicious gourmet food, the Silver Orange Bistro (📍) is the place to be. It has a nice, ambient atmosphere with an outstanding wine list. Definitely worth visiting if you are a foodie fanatic.
Visit the Upside Down House
Turn your world upside down at the Upside Down House (📍). Just know that the inside of the house will definitely play tricks on your mind and can cause a dizzying effect. Visitors tend to spend an hour to two hours exploring this upside-down house.
There is also additional entertainment for kids which includes jumping castles and kid rides.
Operating Times:
- Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm
Cost: (2024)
- Adults – R120pp
- Kids (4-7 years) – R70pp
- Pensioners – R70
- Babies (0-3 years) – FREE
Grab lunch at Kleine Rijke
Kleine Rijke (📍) started as only a wedding venue but now also has a coffee shop that is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
This is a dog-friendly restaurant and you can also enjoy a nice walk to the Hartbeespoort Dam.
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Pretend you are in Paris
French Toast (📍) is a small café that was built for the movie French Toast.
This café is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm and here you can enjoy some great breakfast! You get a real taste of France with some beautiful French music that is played in the background to create an atmosphere. Make sure to take a photo of the miniature Eiffel Tower.
Go hiking
Since Hartbeespoort is surrounded by the Magaliesberg Mountain range, that means there are many beautiful trails for the hiking enthusiast.
Here are some great hiking trails you can try:
Hennops Trail
There are three hiking trails located at Hennops, and they range from easy to difficult. There are many great reasons to visit this hiking spot, and these include the two suspension bridges, the cable car, caves and many beautiful viewpoints.
Phaladingwe Trail
The Phaladingwe trail is located in the Broederstroom area and will ensure you get a proper workout. This 8 km trail takes you along the Crocodile River and has some steep climbs to provide some beautiful viewpoints.
Cruise on Hartbeespoort Dam
Take a leisurely cruise on the Hartbeespoort Dam. Many boat operators provide guided tours, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery while learning about the history and ecology of the area.
Where to stay
Hartbeespoort has some great accommodation options that you can look into.
Here are some recommendations:
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