Lifestyle
Mountain Biking
The breathtaking views and exciting terrain of Muratie have made it a much-loved destination for mountain bike enthusiasts, from Cape Epic riders to weekend warriors alike. Ride through the Simonsberg Trail system that has magnificent singletracks that are easy enough for beginners to try, but tricky enough for intermediate & experienced riders to have some playtime!
Trail Centre
Visit the Dirtopia Trail Centre located on Muratie Wine Farm.
See Simonsberg MTB Trails Map – Click here.
Permits are required at R60/day. Obtain your trail permit and details from the Muratie Tasting Room or at Dirtopia Trail Centres.
- An indemnity form must be completed
- Trails have been built, managed & maintained by Dirtopia and soon annual permits will be available
- You can ride up to 35km with various options from a maze of trails
- Open daily
- Cycling starts at Muratie.
- No permit no ride.
- Permit obtainable in the cellar.
- Cyclists use the route at their own risk.
- Ride the trail like it is yours.
- No excessive breaking in the downhill corners – this would help avoid heavy rutting from forming.
Contact Dirtopia:
Phone: 078 343 3572 | Email: info@dirtopia.co.za
Hiking Trails
Hikers have their own circular 3.5km hiking trail that has over 220 hand-built steps and reach the viewpoint at Gilloolys as well. From here hikers can walk a bit further in on Cork Oak trail, via View trail to Jakhalskloof and back to Gilloolys.
Keep an eye on Dirtopia social media pages for announcements on extended trail hours for the popular sunset hikes that are held once a month. Normally around full moon time with a Muratie wine station at the picnic spot!
Trail Running
Singletrack heaven with awesome views! Runs explore the forest just above the cellar with various trails and durations available.
Contact Dirtopia:
Phone: 078 343 3572 | Email: info@dirtopia.co.za | View upcoming events
See Simonsberg Trail Running Map – Click here.
Legacy Gallery
Heidi Erdmann was not looking to open a gallery again. After completing a MA degree in Visual Studies in 2020 she decided to not return to the commercial gallery sector where she had been active for more than two decades. Instead, founded the curatorial agency, Legacy which specialises in legacy and heritage projects; an underserved niche in the artworld.
But Muratie wine estate, with its long and rich history felt like the perfect site for Legacy Gallery. The gallery space, erected in 1699 was originally the home of Laurens Campher, his wife, Ansela van de Caab and their three children. In 1685, Campher, a German soldier from Mohrow, Poland was the first person to farm on De Driesprong, as Muratie was then known. He was instructed to ‘bezaayen, beplanten, bepoten, betimmeren’ the land. Ansela was born at the slave quarters at the castle in Cape Town, the daughter of an enslaved woman. She was emancipated on 28 June 1695. After a fourteen year-long courtship she was finally able to settle on Muratie. The oak tree that Campher planted for her still towers near the original homestead.
Legacy Gallery’s debut exhibition, Reflections and Refractions is largely a mini review of photography – the medium that freezes a moment and reveals just how rich reality truly is. Work by Bobby Bobson, Ruvan Bosho=, Muzi Kuzwayo, Bettie Coetzee Lambrecht, Martine Margoles, Obie Oberholzer, Lindeka Qampi, Guy Tillim, and Jurgen Schadeberg. Opens on Saturday 6 July 2024 at 11am; concludes on 31 August.
Another slice of Muratie history is the inspiration for In Conversation. This dialogue is centred on the development of painting. From the typical renderings of the South African landscape as painted by George Paul Canitz (1874 -1959) to topical themes as explored by Rory Emmett, Clare Menck, Walter Meyer and Willem Pretorius. Opening on Saturday 7 September at 11am; concludes 30 October.
Canitz was born in Leipzig, Germany and studied painting in Dresden. In 1909 on the advice of a doctor he moved to Southwest Africa and later settled in South Africa. He bought Muratie in 1925 and lived there until his death. He was a successful painter and regularly entertained local and international collectors in his ‘kneipzimmer’ where he displayed his paintings. He also taught art and was the first part-time lecturer in painting at the University of Stellenbosch.
Additionally, he also achieved success in viticulture as the first grower of the Pinot Noir grape in the Cape. We invite you to contact the gallery or Heidi at +27 72 356 7056 or rasch.heidierdmann@gmail.com
