5 best spring things to do in Harties

Hartbeespoort has just been named Kwêla’s Town of the Year for 2026, and spring is the ideal season to see why. September to November brings mild days and clear skies to the dam town, perfect conditions for its best outdoor attractions.

1. Ride the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway

The cableway carries visitors up the Magaliesberg for panoramic views over the dam and valley below. Clear spring air makes for some of the best sightlines of the year.

• Location: Plot 3, Melodie Agricultural Holdings, R511, Hartbeespoort
• Times: Wednesday to Friday 9am to 4pm (last car down 4:30pm) | Saturdays and public holidays 8:30am to 4:30pm (last car down 17:00)
• Website: hartiescableway.co.za
• Tip: Book online to skip the queue, and go early on a clear spring morning before the haze builds up

2. Hike the Hennops Trail

There are three routes to choose from, ranging from beginner to advanced, winding through the Magaliesberg above the dam.

• Location: Hennops Trails, R511 towards Hartbeespoort Dam, about 30km from Pretoria and Fourways
• Times: Registration 7am to 1pm, trails close at 5pm
• Website: hennopstrails.co.za
• Tip: Take at least 2 litres of water for the longer routes and carry cash, as card facilities aren’t always reliable

3. Cruise the dam

A boat cruise across Hartbeespoort Dam takes in the Magaliesberg range from the water, with several operators offering both casual and sundowner cruises.

• Location: Harties Boat Company, Kommando Nek Resort, Simon Bekker Street, Kosmos
• Times: Daily cruises depart at 10am, 1pm and 4pm
• Website: hartiesboatcompany.co.za
• Tip: Book the sunset slot for the best light over the Magaliesberg, but check the weather first as cruises can be cancelled for safety reasons

4. Wander Little Paris

This pocket of Harties has a mini Eiffel Tower, a love-lock bridge, and a cluster of cafes, making it a favourite spring stop for a slow coffee and a wander.

• Location: R511, Hartbeespoort
• Times: Daily 8am to 5pm
• Website / Socials : ‘Little Paris Hartebeespoortdam’ on Facebook for updates
• Tip: Go mid-morning on a weekday to enjoy the gardens and cafes without the weekend crowds

5. Take a hot air balloon flight

Spring’s calmer mornings make it a strong season for ballooning over the Magaliesberg and dam, with sunrise flights giving the clearest views of the landscape.

• Location: Launch site near Skeerpoort, in the Magalies River Valley west of Hartbeespoort Dam
• Times: Flights depart shortly after sunrise, weather permitting
• Website: balloon.co.za
• Tip: Dress warmly for the early start, since spring mornings are still cool even once the day warms up quickly

Why Harties is having a moment

The win comes from Kwêla, the Afrikaans magazine show on kykNET, which runs an annual competition for towns in South Africa and Namibia with a population under 500 000, rewarding small-town charm, community resilience, local hospitality, and civic pride. This year’s finalists were Gansbaai, Secunda, Hopetown, Mokopane, Keimond, Bethlehem, Howick, Hartbeespoort, and Gobabis.

Hartbeespoort’s win came with a R1 million investment from Lottoland and a further R1 million in airtime from kykNET. The Proudly Harties Organisation, which campaigned for the town’s win, called it a shared achievement.

‘The award belongs to every person who took the time to vote, share our posts, encourage others, and proudly stand behind and believe in our beautiful town,’ the organisation said.