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Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij

Dutch cheese farm at the foot of the Magaliesberg, making Gouda in Skeerpoort since 1994.

Gouda since 1994Dutch cheese made on the farm

Cheese toursWednesday, Saturday and Sunday

60km+ of trailsAcross 30 private farms

Closed Mondays and TuesdaysExcept public holidays

our story

Gouda in Skeerpoort since 1994

Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij is a working Dutch cheese farm in Skeerpoort, at the foot of the Magaliesberg. Annelies van Gaalen founded it in 1994 and made Gouda the traditional way from the first wheel. Today the second generation, Victor and Anja, run the farm, the kaasmakerij and the trails.

Fresh milk from local suppliers is made into Gouda on the farm and matured in the walk-in fridges, from young and creamy to long matured and strong, alongside flavoured Gouda, feta and nut cheese. Cheese tours run on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. More than 60km of marked single track crosses 30 private farms for mountain biking, trail running, hiking and birding.

Terrace @ Van Gaalen opens at 08h00 for breakfast, with farm-style dishes, wood-fired pizza, fresh sushi and Dutch classics through the day and a seasonal blackboard. There is a private function room, riverside picnics, and a zipline, tractor rides, jungle gym and farmyard for children.

In 1994 South Africa mostly knew Cheddar and rooi skil kaas, and Annelies van Gaalen missed the taste of Dutch cheese. She went back to the Netherlands, learned to make cheese, and started making Boerenkaas in Skeerpoort according to Dutch traditions and recipes.

The cheese tours began in 1996 as a small group under the trees beside the first production shed. In 2000 the main building went up, with the production floor, cooler room, cheese shop and restaurant under one roof. In 2008 her husband Erik Schipper started cutting trails across 30 private farms. The second generation, Victor and Anja, now run the farm.

GOOD TO KNOW

Main points

Gouda made on the farm

Fresh milk from local suppliers, pressed in traditional Gouda moulds, brined, coated and matured on the farm.

Cheese tours

Wednesday and Saturday at 10h00, Sunday at 11h00. A 60 minute talk on how the cheese is made, then a tasting with coffee, tea or juice and a slice of Dutch apple cake.

Adults R190, children and pensioners R140

More than 60km of trails

Marked single track across 30 private farms, from the pram friendly Yellow Route to the Concrete Hill climb and the red routes.

Hiking R50, mountain biking R60

Terrace @ Van Gaalen

Breakfast from 08h00, mains and sushi from 11h00, a seasonal blackboard and a view of the Magaliesberg.

30% off sushi and cocktails, Fridays 12h00 to 17h00

Functions

A private function room for birthdays, anniversaries, year-end and corporate functions, christenings and memorials, catered by the Terrace kitchen.

Quoted per group

For the kids

Zipline, tractor rides, a gel blaster course, jungle gym, football area and a farmyard with goats, sheep, geese, emus and bush pigs.

WHAT WE DO

Services

Cheese tour

Watch Gouda made from milk to coated cheese wheel, then a tasting with Dutch apple cake and coffee, tea or juice. About 60 minutes, Wednesday 10h00, Saturday 10h00 and Sunday 11h00. Arrive 15 minutes early to browse the cheese shop.

R190 adults, R140 children and pensioners

School group tours

Guided tour and tasting with apple cake and juice at 10h00 on an agreed date, with the option of a hike on the mapped trails and a burger or pizza meal. Up to 140 students a day, booked in advance. Accompanying teachers join the tour and hike free.

R140 per student, R160 with hike, meal R115

Trail permits

Hiking, trail running and mountain biking on more than 60km of single track. Permits and the indemnity form at the Trail/Farm Shop; bookings only for groups over 20. Helmet, eyewear and a cellphone are compulsory for mountain biking. Trail queries: Victor Schipper, 083 560 3318 or victor@vangaalen.co.za.

R50 hike or run, R60 MTB, under 12 half price, under 4 free

Annual trail membership

Ride or run 7 days a week, with a Van Gaalen buff and access to the neighbouring Vergenoeg Nature Reserve trails.

R1 000 MTB or hiking, R2 000 family

Terrace @ Van Gaalen

Breakfast 08h00 to 11h00, then burgers, pizza, pasta, grills, sushi and Dutch classics such as uitsmijter, broodje kroket, kapsalon and frikandellen. Cheese platters from the farm's own Gouda. Bookings at least 24 hours ahead, walk-ins welcome. Restaurant queries: terrace@vangaalen.co.za.

Book on DinePlan

The cheese shop

Young, mature and matured Gouda, cumin or Leidse, stinging nettle, garlic and onion, pepper, feta, herb feta and nut cheese, with preserves and Dutch products. Stock changes with the seasons, so call or WhatsApp ahead for a specific cheese.

Prices updated seasonally

Riverside picnics

A basket with a cheese platter, cold meat platter, potato and beetroot salads, pickles, olives, bread, biscuits, seasonal fruit and a koeksister each, on a shady spot by the Skeerpoort River. Bring your own blanket. Pre booked only.

50% non refundable deposit

Functions and cheese wheel cakes

A private function room with in-house catering. For milestone birthdays, anniversaries and weddings, a tiered cake can be stacked from whole Van Gaalen Gouda wheels.

Quoted per group

Kids activities

Zipline, tractor rides on weekends, a gel blaster course with 500 bullets, jungle gym and football area, and feed for the farmyard animals. Party packages on request.

Gel blaster R50, tractor rides R40, animal feed R25

Club breakfast runs

Classic car and motorcycle clubs are regulars. Book a club breakfast run on 083 226 7834.

On enquiry

WHAT IT COSTS

Price list

Cheese tour, adultsR190

Cheese tour, children and pensionersR140

School cheese tour, per studentR140

School cheese tour and hike, per studentR160

Trail day permit, hiking or runningR50

Trail day permit, mountain bikingR60

Annual trail permit, MTB or hikingR1 000

Family trail package, annualR2 000

Gel blaster, per personR50

Tractor ride, per person (weekends)R40

Terrace Cheese PlatterR295

a look around

Gallery

in their words

What people say

Supplied by the business. Neighbour Notes does not verify testimonials.

Great place for an easy scenic stroll, ride or trail run. Well maintained routes with something new and exciting at every turn. From the raging river alongside the hiking trail to the child friendly pets on the farm, to the cheese journey and food, it's the perfect getaway for a fresh breath.

Tony SGoogle review

Absolutely loved this place. We took my 1 year old and he had the time of his life. You can go for walks, there are farm animals along the way for your little ones to feed. They have a play area with slides, jumping castle and bikes that the kids can play with. The food is absolutely amazing! Can't wait to be back.

Suhana GoundenGoogle review

The van Gaalen Cheese Farm is an absolute gem. From the moment you arrive, you're welcomed into a lekker, relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer.

Leandre HattinghGoogle review

We did the 11km hike route to the Greek Church and loved it. Did 18kms by choice. Very well marked and relatively easy with ever changing scenery of forest, open areas and views. ...

Jenny van den BergGoogle review

If you're looking for an unforgettable cheese experience, this farm is an absolute must-visit. From their young, creamy cheeses to their beautifully matured vintage selections, every single bite is packed with flavor ...

Lizette du PreezGoogle review

This was a great experience for my family we did a guided 60-minute cheese-making tour showing how milk becomes cheese Includes tasting of different cheeses. After the tour they serve you with coffee/tea/juice + Dutch apple cake ...

Xolani Percival NgwenyaGoogle review

WHAT'S ON HERE

Events hosted here

Wine On Route at Van Gaalen

Ticketed

Saturday 8 August · 10:00

questions, answered

Common questions

Where exactly are you, and how far is the drive?

Portion 260 of the farm Skeerpoort, close to the intersection of the R560 and R512, near Hartbeespoort Dam. About 45 minutes from Johannesburg, an hour from Pretoria and 25 minutes from Lanseria. Search Van Gaalen Cheese Farm on Google Maps or Waze.

When are you open?

Wednesday to Sunday. We are closed Monday and Tuesday, except on public holidays. Farm and cheese shop 08h00 to 17h00, Terrace from 08h00, trails from 06h30 on weekends and public holidays. Trails close on race days, so check the Van Gaalen MTB Facebook page before big rides.

When are the cheese tours?

Wednesday 10h00, Saturday 10h00 and Sunday 11h00. The tour runs about 60 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes early and browse the cheese shop.

Do I need to book?

Trails need no booking for groups under 20. Cheese tours are recommended but not required, and school tours must be booked in advance. Walk-ins are welcome at the Terrace; we recommend booking a table for weekend lunch. Riverside picnics are pre booked only with a 50 percent deposit, and kids parties and functions are by arrangement.

Can I bring my dog?

No pets, dogs or motorbikes are allowed on the trail network, because the routes cross 30 private working farms with livestock and game.

What is there for children?

A zipline, tractor rides, a gel blaster course, a jungle gym, and a farmyard with goats, sheep, geese, emus and bush pigs. The reed tunnels along the river are gentle enough for young families on bikes. Party packages are available on request.

Can I buy cheese to take home?

Yes, the cheese shop is open whenever the farm is. Every Gouda on the tour tasting board is available to take home, alongside preserves and Dutch favourites.