Few things in life are as rejuvenating as heading to the mountains and staying in eco cabins. From the slow pace of being away from the city to the mesmerising sounds of your surrounding natural wonder, a few nights in the mountains can do wonders for your mindset and general mental wellbeing.
Imagine waking up to the morning mist with spectacular mountain views at your doorstep, the birds singing to the rhythm of the earth’s heartbeat, and no distractions to pull you out of the moment. The rising popularity of eco-friendly cabins is because of their unique blend of comfort, luxury, nature, and eco-conscious living. At Eco Cabins, we have a mountain retreat made for rediscovering yourself. Set in the heart of the mountain wilderness, our cabins offer views like nowhere else in the world.
Eco Cabins has three spacious mountain cabins, all designed for maximum comfort and relaxation in the middle of nature. In this article, we discuss the beauty of eco cabins in the Western Cape Mountains, what it’s like to stay in them, how they support sustainability, and who they are best for.
What Are Eco Cabins?
In short, these are eco-conscious lodges and accommodation options, often built in the mountains, next to beaches, and in other remote areas. Unlike other cabins, these cabins are comprehensively designed and created with sustainable materials to minimise the carbon footprint and decrease energy consumption. Environmentally friendly principles of reusing and recycling are applied, and sustainability is the top priority with eco-friendly cabins. They use renewable energy sources, energy-efficient lighting, and eco-conscious water conservation practices.
The aim is to provide comfortable accommodation without veering away from sustainable practices. As such, you’ll find organic towels and linens, biodegradable cleaning products, rainwater harvesting, solar and energy-efficient lighting options, and eco-friendly toilet and bathroom facilities.
Fortunately, at Eco Cabins, we do not sacrifice comfort to achieve eco-conscious mountain living. All of our cabins are designed and built for you to relax, reset, and refresh in. At no point will you feel like you need to adjust to a way of life unknown to you; you can enjoy all the benefits of a mountain retreat without the inconvenience of being away from your everyday amenities, like Wi-Fi and spacious living areas.
Why the Western Cape Mountains Are the Perfect Backdrop
Mountains are among nature’s most hypnotic and awe-inspiring wonders, their giant stature towering over us on the ground. In the Western Cape, the mountains are unlike anywhere else in the world, offering versatile landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and spectacular views.
At Eco Cabins, we are at the border of the Slanghoek and Du Toitskloof Mountains, with the Hex River Mountains sitting up north. The magnificence of having the Western Cape’s mountains as your backdrop is an indescribable feeling; picture the early morning sunrise, the mountains slowly unveiled as the light creeps in to the day. In the evening, the soft glow of the moon and the bright stars sitting above the mountains are a sight to behold.
Embracing the unforgiving stature of the mountains is a powerful way to stay grounded. Nothing keeps you in the present moment like the beauty and enormity of a natural wonder.
What It’s Like Staying in An Eco Cabin
Picture yourself in the heart of the remote wilderness, away from the hustle and fast-paced nature of the city. In a spacious, comfortable, and eco-conscious cabin, you have the opportunity to truly unwind and reconnect with the earth’s natural beauty. A colourful range of flora and fauna surrounds you while the sounds of the rivers flowing, the leaves rustling, and the birds singing fill the silence.
In the morning, you can enjoy a coffee on the deck as you breathe in the fresh air and natural wonder. Start your day off with a hike, or take some time to meditate next to the mountains. In the summer afternoons, you can enjoy a swim in the mountain rock pools, and in the evening, you can gaze at the stars, untouched by light pollution. As a whole, the experience is fulfilling, restorative and relaxing.
How Eco Cabins Support the Planet
The name Eco Cabins isn’t just for show, these cabins are committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly living. Here are a few ways in which eco-friendly cabins support the planet.
Sustainable Construction and Design
The key to a sustainable design is low-impact building, meaning they’re designed specifically to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment. This is achieved by using sustainable building materials, often locally sourced, and energy-efficient construction methods. An eco cabin also uses renewable energy sources like solar and wind to minimise any and all reliance on fossil fuels, and uses waste management methods that include recycling, composting, and minimising waste as a whole.
Eco-Conscious and Responsible Tourism
Unlike many other tourist attractions, eco cabin retreats support sustainable living and community engagement. This means supporting local economies by hiring locally, purchasing goods from local businesses, and working with local farmers.
As these cabins often sit in the middle of a vast wilderness, the business has to be fully committed to wildlife conservation and protection. As such, you can expect practices in place to minimise disturbances to the local wildlife and preserve biodiversity in the area. The businesses that are fully committed to environmentally friendly practices should also be driving promotional efforts to educate local residents about the importance of preserving the local eco system with an eco-conscious mindset.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
And of course, a reduced carbon footprint. Any business committed to eco-friendly practices should be aiming to minimise its carbon footprint as a whole. With eco-conscious cabins, the business often operates off-grid while relying on energy-efficient and water conservation practices.
Who Are These Cabins Perfect For
Romantic Getaways: What’s more romantic than spending time with your loved one away from all the distractions and stress of everyday life? At a mountain cabin, you and your partner can be entirely in the present moment, enjoying one another in the heart of the mountains. These cabins allow couples to rediscover themselves in the natural wonder of the earth’s majesty, where every second can be felt and enjoyed.
Solo Nature Lovers: For the solo nature lover, a mountain cabin retreat is a no-brainer. Around you awaits a vast and natural landscape, covered to the brim with colourful flora and fauna. As a solo adventurer, going to a mountain cabin means opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, river paddling, stargazing, and more
Small Groups: These cabins can also be incredibly fun and fulfilling for small groups of friends looking to get away. All the aforementioned solo activities can be enjoyed equally as much. In addition to that, playing board games, spending time around the fire, and swimming in the mountain rock pools are bound to be a great time with good friends.
Digital Detoxers: One of the best ways to escape the seemingly inescapable digital world is to head to the mountains and remind yourself of life’s simple pleasures. If you need a detox, heading to the mountains is captivating enough to keep your mind off your phone and other digital pleasures for the full time that you’re there.
Planning Your Stay
Okay, so it’s time to plan your stay. To make sure you have a great time, it’s important to know when the best times to visit are, what you need to pack, and how to go about booking.
In the Western Cape, the weather is that of a Mediterranean climate. You can expect dry and hot days in the summer, and wet and cold days in the winter. The spring and summer seasons run from about September to March, which is, therefore, the best time to book your stay. Going in the summer allows you to enjoy more of the outdoors; you can spend time hiking, swimming in rock pools and exploring the local area without fear of a storm or heavy rain.
In terms of what you need to bring, remember the essentials. This includes water, food, snacks, a toothbrush, hiking boots, warm clothes, swimming gear, chargers, and a backpack. At Eco Cabins, the lodge comes equipped with bedding, pillows, wood and chairs, so you do not have to pack in any of the above. To make the experience even more memorable, consider bringing binoculars and a camera, so you can truly take in your surroundings and capture the moment.
At Eco Cabins, the booking process is simple. All you have to do is select the cabin you want, choose a date you would like to book, and call us to make the final booking.
Why Our Eco Cabins Stand Out
At Eco Cabins, we provide a unique and inviting blend of luxury and comfort. In the heart of 8000 hectares of mountain wilderness, our cabins have views like no other, the surrounding mountains an incredible sight to take in. You can swim in our restorative mountain pool or the nearby river, meditate at our meditation area, and stargaze without the light pollution of the city and suburbs.
Our accommodation options are spacious, comfortable and equipped with amenities. Our cabins even come fully equipped with uncapped Wi-Fi, so you’ll never have to worry about not being able to reach someone in case you need to. Each cabin has a hot tub, and two mountain streams flow through the property. There are also board games, books, and other entertainment options available in the cabins.
Close by, you can enjoy the Breedekloof Wine Valley or the Worcester Wine and Olive Route, both dream destinations for wine lovers and connoisseurs. The wine routes are among the best in the country, offering world-class cellar-to-cellar tours, appetising food and wine pairings, and superb views all around you. These routes are family-oriented and welcoming to all those coming by.
If you don’t mind heading a bit further out, you can visit the historic town of Wolseley, or go to Monks Distillery for some craft Gin Tasting, just a 16-minute drive up the road. There is plenty to do and enjoy when booking a stay at Eco Cabins.
Final Thoughts: Rejuvenate with Eco Cabins
Eco Cabins offers a beautiful and restorative mountain getaway just 73 minutes outside of Cape Town. At our cabins, the mountains are at your feet, with acres of fauna and flora all around. The cabins are a perfect combination of luxury, comfort and eco-conscious living. Eco Cabins is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices with energy and water conservation, responsible tourism and a reduced carbon footprint at the forefront of our minds.
If you need to unwind, reset or refresh, heading to our mountain retreat is exactly what you need. To learn more about our cabins or to book your stay, reach out today.