Cradled by the Cape Fold Mountains, far away from the city rush, lies Simonskloof Mountain Retreat - mountain cabin western cape your ideal destination for a digital detox and soul recharge.

Located 50 km west of Montagu in the Western Cape of South Africa, Simonskloof is just a scenic 2-3 hour drive from Cape Town. Here, life begins at the end of the road!

Established in 1999 by Ninon & Jurgen, Simonskloof is an eco-friendly, off-grid, 2000ha retreat. This unique hideaway offers a perfect place to rest, relax, and recharge your weary soul.

Nature wants you back! Enjoy small rock pools, hiking trails, MTB trails, and guided outdoor activities such as canyoning, wilderness trekking, and abseiling.

Nestled at the ecotone of the Succulent Karoo and Mountain Fynbos, our kloof is home to countless medicinal plants and abundant wildlife, making it an ideal venue for yoga and healthy living workshops.

See you soon at Simonskloof Mountain Retreat, a truly down-to-earth escape!

Accommodation

Three colorful, down-to-earth mountain cottages—Faraway, Orange, and Eric’s Place—along with 8 campsites, are all off-grid, private, and surrounded by mountains. At night, a starry sky looks over them. This cabin accommodation in the Western Cape is perfect for a serene mountain getaway.

The cottages are equipped with solar geysers and gas backups for hot water, cooking, and refrigeration.

Occasionally, we offer Dinner Bed & Breakfast featuring a unique African-Swiss cuisine, prepared on an open fire and served by candlelight. The morning air filled with the aroma of freshly-ground organic coffee, wood-fired bread, and birdsong provides a perfect start for an enjoyable day in the mountains. Experience the ultimate mountain retreat in the Western Cape.

Activities

From 310m above sea level to the top of Keeromsberg at 2072m, we've got you covered with a variety of activities. Since 1999, we've created a 60km network of hiking trails that lead up mountains and into deep gorges. The Gecko Trail, part of the 720km Rim of Africa annual mountain traverse, is Africa’s toughest wilderness hike.

We also offer guided wilderness trekking, abseiling trips, and overnight canyoning in the Nuy River Gorge. Since 2020, we have included rock climbing, both sport and trad. Alternatively, cool off in our rock pools, perfect for bird watching. Simonskloof Mountain Retreat is the ideal mountain cabin experience in the Western Cape.

Contact Us

Simonskloof Mountain Retreat
Koo Valley, Montagu, 6720
Phone: +27 23 614 1895
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jurgen Wohlfarter and Ninon Roos

Jurgen, born in a small Swiss village between the Black Forest and the Alps, started Simonskloof in 1999. With a background in architecture, backpacking from Cape to Cairo, and a love for high snowy mountains, he is a professional mountain and adventure guide (SA Tourist Guide No: WC-1785) and has been guiding nature-seeking people in hiking, kloofing/canyoning, and abseiling for over 20 years.

Ninon, from Bethlehem in South Africa, studied to be a chef, worked in IT, became a personal trainer, ran a home bakery, and is now a qualified yoga and Pilates teacher. She also volunteers for the Art of Living Foundation, facilitating community development programs.

Together with their border collies, cats, and a coop full of chickens, they are transforming Simonskloof into a sustainable, eco-friendly, off-grid, permaculture mountain retreat.

We look forward to welcoming you at Simonskloof!