With a height of 2,247 m (7,372 ft)[3] above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Cape Winelands District Municipality.

The mountain is located in the Witzenberg Local Municipality in the Western Cape.

The mountain got its name because a rock formation below the summit is said to resemble a sailor next to their ship when viewed from the south.

The longest of the four Hex River Tunnels on the Cape Town–Johannesburg railway line runs below Matroosberg.

Matroosberg station is located on the former route over the Hex River Pass and is still used today as the end of special trips.