My visit to Cascade Manor was intended as an introduction to the outdoor adventure options on offer. This 4-star hotel and spa is nestled against the Klein Drakenstein mountain slopes in the Cape is surrounded by olive groves and pine plantations.
The backdrop is exotic in appearance and fragrance hints of Greece perhaps. The manor buildings themselves have strong classical architectural influences, with soaring columns that hark back to another era.
The welcome and the service, however, are thoroughly contemporary and representative of the best in South African hospitality.
Upon arrival we are introduced to our guide, Eckhardt. He is highly qualified in a number of guiding categories and is a passionate outdoor sports enthusiast.
Our group of adventurers are issued with mountain bikes, helmets and safety instructions, before setting off. It’s been a while since I was last in the saddle, but the going is easy because of the quality, well-maintained equipment.
The necessary co-ordination returns instinctively, as the saying goes: like riding a bicycle. The terrain offers a variety of route options to cater for all levels of fitness and skill. Eckhardt’s passion for downhill mountain biking is finding expression in a high-quality downhill track that promises to be of international standards once completed.
Speaking of internationals, these surroundings are the annual pre-race training grounds for a major team competing in the Cape Epic cycle race. Our slow and easy trundle up the mountain slope provides ample opportunities for our guide to enlighten us about the local fauna and flora, as well as the fascinating history of Paarl.
For instance Paarl apparently derives its name from a visiting colonial dignitary remarking on the rain-drenched granite domes of the surrounding hills glittering in the morning sun, likening them to diamonds in a string of pearls. With time, all but one pearl remained of the original description.
At the top of the hill we admire the stunning panoramic views. The Klein Drakenstein mountains ripple away south towards the ocean with fertile fields and smaller hills rolling off into the distance in every other direction.
Our guide advises us to familiarise ourselves with the brakes on our bikes one more time. We are about to descend downhill, and though this is not a highly technical route, everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace.
Ultimately that means that some of our party wisely decide to walk down the steepest bits. However, all of us weren’t issued with equal amounts of wisdom. Noticing the guide put on a burst of speed, my inner child grabs the controls.
I haven’t been on a cycle in a long time and my experience of fast descents on narrow tracks is virtually non-existent. The adrenalin arrives in hefty doses when the track narrows to a thin rut inches away from a perilous drop.
Occasionally overhanging brush and fern fronds obscure the path, they whip into view before clutching at my face, but I barely register with most of my attention on the imminent drop to my right and the curves of the track arriving in a blur of speed. Beyond a certain steepness and velocity there’s no real braking because momentum takes over - it’s a question of steering and trusting that the track will level out in places to allow for genuine braking.
I’ve done my fair share of adventure sports. These have several basic tenets in common: watch how the experts are doing it; trust your equipment and don’t freeze up.
As I’m flying down the mountain, the intellectual side of my mind is idly calculating whether I have the time and money to start yet another adventure sport.
It’s over too quickly, but the smile plastered over my face will be firmly in place for hours afterwards.
One last note about the mountain biking at Cascade Manor: Eckhardt, with the support of the owners, is investing a great deal of time and effort to develop the area for all grades of mountain biking.
The granitic soil is fast-draining which means that this will be a year-round outdoor cycling paradise whereas many other bike tracks in the Western Cape become muddy swamps in winter.
There is a definite relief involved in returning from your adventure outing to be greeted by 4-star luxury facilities, as opposed to a tent or meagre cottage. And after some serious physical exertion the adventurer can sate his or her hunger with a phenomenal meal instead of fumbling over a campfire.
Co-owner Volker Goetze is an accomplished chef. For our visit he prepares a “braai”. He dazzles with a host of gourmet dishes to please every palate and preference.
The vegetarians in our company rave about the taste and variety on offer for them. I go back for third helpings simply to sample everything on offer. Ultimately, the spicy prawns are my favourite along with Goetze’s grilled olives.
I’m up before 5am the next day. I step into running shoes and strap a headlamp on to dispel the shadows that still hover underneath the trees on the lower slopes. Trail running is a welcome departure from road running.
Each step requires attention, especially in the dark.
Initially, I run the previous day’s mountain bike track in reverse, working my way up the slope. I smile at the steepness of the track, memories of plunging down it on a cycle flooding back.
At the top I decide to explore new terrain and veer off past an olive grove and follow a jeep track into the pine plantations. Eventually I turn back, finishing my run by taking the steep bike track down the mountain again. A runner can’t go as fast as cycle, but I turn on the gas and find that smile back on my face… fast enough!
Since we have an early departure for our next adventure activity, we are served a light breakfast consisting of delicious fresh croissants, rusks and freshly-cut fruit to accompany the caffeine beverage of our choice. I grab a quick shower and another cup of coffee and we’re off to the landmark granite domes that tower over Paarl.
We are going to abseil 80m down one of them; getting an intimate yet spectacular view of these natural wonders. Our guide Eckhardt’s string of qualifications includes mountain climbing and rigging.
Once again the gear is high quality and the safety briefing comprehensive. I have some climbing experience, so have brought my own harness. Our guide possesses the vital ability to instil a sense of calm and confidence in the participants, many of whom are first-time abseilers. The safety precautions and attention to detail are impressive - if you are going to attempt this activity as a novice, this is how it should be done.
As I step over the edge I marvel at these huge granite domes rearing from the surrounding hills like baubles dropped by a giant. I wonder what that long-ago dignitary would have said about this interesting way of exploring his “string of pearls”. One by one our group members make the descent, without incident.
We cheer them on as they join us at the bottom. It’s hard to miss the sparkle of adrenalin in their eyes and the palpable sense of accomplishment; abseiling is an act of trust and courage.
The feeling at the bottom is easily worth the cost of entry.
Our hosts have prepared a picnic for us in the shady tree-filled ravine between the domes.
I look around our group. Everyone is chatting happily recalling their latest adventure - apparently someone had sung the Lego Movie theme song to someone else to encourage them down the last few metres of abseiling.
All these smiling faces and open postures after less than 24 hours are perhaps the best ad for the hospitality and services provided by Cascade Manor and its staff. If you need an escape from the city, this is it.
Close enough from the city for a weekend escape
Cascade Manor, 10 minutes drive outside Paarl in the Western Cape, is ideally located - close enough to the city for a weekend getaway and yet secluded enough to be a genuine retreat from the urban bustle.
The 4-star hotel and spa provides its visitors with a wide variety of activities that range from adrenalin-inducing adventure sports to soothing spa treatments. Whether you choose adventure or pampering, the package is neatly tied together with phenomenal cooking and service.
High service standards are achieved and maintained due to the hands-on involvement of the owners, Maika and Volker Goetze. With 15 rooms, the hotel ensures a sense of exclusivity and personal attention.
Its name is derived from a small perennial waterfall that is a three-minute stroll from the reception desk. The waterfall serves as a welcome retreat on hot summer days.
The area in front of it has been carefully manicured to allow visitors to picnic or even receive spa treatments with the relaxing flow of water as calming background music.
Cascade Manor is also geared as an out-of-the-ordinary wedding venue, with the waterfall area serving as a naturally-shaded spot to conduct ceremonies while receptions can be hosted in the manor’s dining area.
There are a vast array of activities and sights in the area. Wine aficionados, chocolate lovers, olive connoisseurs, foodies, culture vultures and history buffs are all spoiled for choice with some of the top national and international destinations nearby. For more details, call 021 868 0227 or 082 738 3533, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cascademanor.co.za.
HJ Lombard, The Sunday Independent