The Ox Wagon Trails, a National Monument

The mountain crossing in that region was known by the indigenous Khoi people as the Gantouw or Eland's Pass, and was used as a stock route to hunt animals and later as a route for trekkers who wished to cross over into the interior. The Dutch and British settlers at the Cape built a rough pass called the Hottentots Holland Kloof Pass following the Gantouw (Eland) route. The first recorded crossing was in 1664, and by 1821 the pass was seeing 4500 ox-wagons per year crossing into the interior. The route was so severe that more than 20% of wagons per year were damaged. This was a pioneering and engineering feat, as the ox wagons were dragged up by oxen and came down the pass without their wheels, leaving deep scratch marks in the rocks. The ruts left by these wagons being dragged down the mountains can still be seen, and were declared a National Monument in 1958.

These Wagon trails are also an important hiking trail in the area. One can meander along while wondering how our ancestors endured the mountain crossing with all their worldly possessions in wagons. Two popular hiking trails begin at the 420m (1 378ft)-high summit of Sir Lowry's Pass and wind down into the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, home to one of the world's largest floral kingdoms. A variety of species of indigenous flora, much of it fynbos, is to be seen along these picturesque trails.

Casa Maris intends to preserve these wagon trails. It will restore parts of it where it is at all possible and incorporate it as part of the cultural and historical landscape of the eco-estate. Part of the social investment outcome must be to ensure that these trails are protected and a tourist infra-structure is set in place so that public access to these trails can be obtained, replica wagons are produced and people can ride or walk next to the trails to view it. The tourist infrastructure and income must be developed in such a way to ensure that the local Sir Lowry's Pass Village, who are the historical residents of the area and who have suffered with poverty for many generations, are the key custodians of this enterprise and receives its potential tourist revenue as investment into the Village.

The Canons

This site also contain original canons from the era of the 1800s. It is difficult to say exactly what the canons were used for but it would be safe to say that its use, as with most assets during the period, was multi-purpose. One of the uses was to ensure that ox wagon traffic up and down the pass had a signal to know when someone was coming up or down. Other uses indicate that the Dutch used it to defend the pass against the British desire for access into the interior. These canons have recently been restored and once again are a potential major source of tourist income for the Village.

The Canons are a vital part of our history and can become a major tourist attraction as well as the trekking routes of the many settlers who ventured into the interior.

The Tollhuis

The Tollhuis is an existing 17th Century house where travellers used to pay their toll before taking on the challenging Gantouw Pass or Game Trail. The original structure still exists and is a National monument.

The Tollhuis also saw the signing of the peace treaty between the English and the Dutch after the British invaded and defeated the Dutch garrison at the Battle of Blaauwberg just beneath Blaauwberg Hill in 1806.

In 2003 the Tolhuis was a much sought after venue for music concerts and its unique venue offered a tranquil atmosphere to relax in with its huge rolling lawns, dam and bonfires, much in the same vein as Kirstenbosh Botanical Gardens offers today.

The Tollhuis also saw an important Nationalist government pre-negotiation bosberaad take place at the Tollhuis on the 12th May 1990 and were attended by National Party and Labour Party leaders Tertius Delport, Sheila Camerer, Chris Fismer, Nick Koornhof, Gerald Morkel and Abe Williams. The comments recorded in the Tollhuis guest book are detailed as follows:

"Vandag was 'n belleging in Suid Afrika se toekoms", "South Africa will thank us", "Groot deurbraak, dit was skitterend", "Die begin, van die begin", "Talks at the Toll, the gateway to the new South Africa".

In 2008 the Tollhuis and its unique location and surrounding were used as a film location for the TV-Movie "24 - Redemption" with Kiefer Sutherland.

The Lakes

With the construction of the new Sir Lowry's Pass, engineer Charles Michell used Italian prisoners in 1828 to begin excavation to create a tunnel through the mountain when they discovered a natural spring which today still exists and is a unique water source for the 400 hectares owned by Mr Maris. In addition to the downflows from the mountain, this important water source feeds the five lakes on the estate. These lakes then further feed the river streams that flow through the Village and down into the sea.

The water source is of an exceptional quality and has the potential to generate significant economic benefits for the Village. The lakes are largely uncluttered with debris which further supports the riverine system.

The Fynbos

The 400 hectares borders land owned by Cape Nature. The land is invaded by alien species such as Port Jackson, black Wattle and Eucalyptus tree species. Mr Maris, as informed by landscape, heritage and environmental specialists, is committed to removing the identified aliens without damaging or disturbing the cultural landscape and ensuring that the fynbos returns to this area, transforming it to a fynbos reserve.

This alien clearing project will be one of the largest alien clearing exercises comprising some 12000-man days of work. Thereafter the restoration and management of the fynbos will take place.