Sometimes the best weekends are the unplanned ones. You wake up on a Friday feeling done with the city. Soon, you’re winding through mountain passes with a flask of coffee and nowhere urgent to be. If you’re based in Cape Town and you’ve been hunting for a city escape, The Baths in Citrusdal is the place to be. Gorgeous scenery, natural hot springs, nearby wine-tasting and hikes, all within a few hours of the CBD.
Are you ready to trade city noise for mountain air? Reserve your stay at The Baths.
Citrusdal as the Perfect Cape Town City Escape
The drive from Cape Town to Citrusdal takes roughly 1 hour 55 minutes via the N7 through Malmesbury. That’s short enough to leave after an early breakfast and arrive with the whole day ahead of you. On the way there, there’s a very cute padstal: De Tol padstal, which offers tea and wine tastings. Consider taking a pit stop to stretch your legs and have a cuppa.
What makes the route worth it is the variety. You get a hike through dramatic rock formations, world-class wine tasting at altitude and a soak in natural mineral water, and all before Sunday evening. As a klein dorpie, Citrusdal punches well above its size.
Route Options: Pick Your Drive
There are three different ways you can drive to the baths.
Option 1 – Fastest Route (N7 via Malmesbury) Around 1 hour 55 minutes. Simple and direct. Best when you want the most time in the pools.
Option 2 – Countryside Route (R365 via Paarl and Ceres) Longer than the N7, but the drive takes you through fruit farms and mountain valleys. A good balance of scenery and travel time.
Option 3 – Most Scenic Route (R303 via Ceres and Prins Alfred’s Hamlet) A beautiful mountain pass with wide-open views. Significantly longer, but worth it for breathtaking views and slow days.
Fill up petrol before leaving Cape Town. Always check road conditions if you’re heading through the mountain passes.
The Perfect Day Adventure: Hiking and Wine Tasting
Once you’ve arrived at The Baths and settled in, wake up bright and early on Saturday morning! About an hour and a halfs’ drive away from Citrusdal lies the Maltese Cross hike and Cederberg wines.
Hike the Maltese Cross
The Maltese Cross hike is freestanding rock cross standing roughly 20 metres tall. The trail takes about four hours there and back and leads to one of the Cederberg’s most photographed sandstone formations.
Pack water, sunscreen and solid shoes. The terrain is uneven in places, but the route is well-marked and easy enough for all fitness levels. The views across the Cederberg mountains make the effort worthwhile.
Cederberg Wine Tasting
After the hike, head to Cederberg Wines for a tasting. The estate sits at around 1,000 metres above sea level, which gives its wines a character you won’t find in the Cape Winelands. The cool nights and high altitude slow down grape ripening, producing concentrated flavours.
The tasting experience is perfect after a mountain hike. Why not pick up a bottle to enjoy at home?
Back to The Baths
The Baths’ hot springs in the Western Cape draw visitors from across the country and the ones near Citrusdal are among the most visited. After a full day of driving and hiking, soaking in natural mineral water is the ideal way to wind down.
The Baths Natural Hot Springs in Citrusdal offers accommodation on-site, which means you can soak after dark, wake up to mountain views and take a dip again before breakfast.
For Cederberg accommodation with a hot tub equivalent built right in, The Baths is a practical and scenic choice.
Take a slower morning on Sunday. Breakfast with the mountains in the background, one last soak, then choose a different route home for variety.
Tips for the Road
- Leave early on Friday to make the most of the daylight
- Pack a cooler box with snacks or stop in a dorpie for roosterkoek and coffee along the way
- Book wine tasting and hot spring overnight accommodation in advance
- Check weather conditions if you’re taking a mountain route. Don’t drive if it’s overly rainy or stormy.
The Baths: Book Your Citrusdal Escape
Combine the Maltese Cross hike, Cederberg wine tasting, and a stay at The Baths Natural Hot Springs and you’ve got a full itinerary you’ll love.
Please note only bookings for both Friday and Saturday nights will be accepted over weekends. On long weekends, a minimum booking of three or four nights is required. For more information, please see our policies and rules.
Spend a weekend in mountainous paradise at The Baths. Call (0)22 921 2141 to book your stay.