ladismith western cape tourism

Explore Ladismith

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Essential Ladismith

Ladismith Is Great For

• Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve
• Mymering Wine & Guest Estate
• Rooiberg Wild
• Oaksrest Vineyards Guest Farm
• Wolverfontein Karoo Cottages
• Kanna Kombuis
• Olive Garden
• Gypsy's Gin Bar Bistro Deli
• Algerynskraal
• The Hillock

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You’ll Need More Than a Couple of Days to Explore Ladismith

Ladismith is in the Klein Karoo on Route 62 between Barrydale and Calitzdorp at the base of the Klein Swartberg mountain range. ‘Oh, you should be here during February or March’, the tourism information lady, whose name we never do get to know, remarks at my obvious hot and bothered state and nods emphatically whilst the electric fan, in front of which I’ve stationed myself, lazily continues on its cycle in the large church interior.

We’re standing in one of the oldest buildings in Ladismith, having only just arrived in the village. We’ve lost the details of our B&B and know little more than its name at this stage. The gorgeous Neo-Gothic Otto Hager Church built in 1874 is unique in the sense that it no longer functions as a church – the congregation having long left its supposed instability for a new church in Queen Street.

The roof and walls, despite claims to the contrary, proved so sound that it remained standing until 1943 when it was subsequently used as both a mill, and a seed store, and then bought by the Restoration Committee who finally re-erected and reconstructed parts of it. Now the Tourism Bureau has its office here, and it is used for weddings and concerts.

The tourism lady is mildly discontented with our meagre one-night stay and makes her displeasure known – ‘You can’t possibly get a feel for the town in only one day.’ she replies to my query as to what the main highlights of the town are.

I refrain from pointing out that a Tourism Bureau is surely there to encourage visitors to see and do as much as possible in a day. Iit cannot be that difficult to give me a run down on Ladismith. Instead I arm myself with a few brochures whilst humming under my breath, and, with the details of our B&B restored to us, we head out to our accommodation but a block away.

Much to my chagrin the tourism lady is correct. Ladismith is not the kind of Karoo town into which you drive, explore the main street on which there are a myriad restaurants, walk around a little and leave imbued with the heady scents and sights of the Karoo. Ladismith requires a little more exertion in order for you to learn its secrets.

Ladismith – originally called Ladysmith after Lady Juana Smith, the Spanish-born wife of Sir Harry Smith, Governor of the Cape Colony, but changed to ‘Ladismith to avoid confusion with its namesake in Natal – sits just off centre of and at the bottom of the split peak known as Towerkop , part of the Klein Swartberg mountain range.

It isn’t immediately obvious to me and I have to ask a group of kids passing on their way to Parmalat, one of two cheese factories in town, by just which peak is Towerkop.

Ladismith lies on Route 62, a little further up the drag than Barrydale but close enough to Ronnie’s Sex Shop that, if you’ve made it that far, you may as well keep going and spend some time in the town.

Towerkop is a striking backdrop to a town filled with some wonderful old buildings and national monuments (Ladismith has its own unique building style known as the Ladismith style, described as a simplified Georgian design of the 1830s). There are only a handful of restaurants and a derth of the usual second homes that dominate so many of the Karoo towns within a few hours of Cape Town . This may well be because Ladismith lies that little bit too far for weekend breaks.

Be that as it may, the village is quiet, the night skies filled with stars, and the bulk of Towerkop a reassuring presence.

We spend the afternoon exploring the streets, snapping pictures of Amalienstein and the Lutheran Church Complex, the City Hall, St Luke’s, the Lithuanian style old Synagogue on Van Riebeek street, and a ‘Ladismith’ Georgian house for sale. A group of children pose against the blue of a wall – they want to see their picture. They’ve obviously been swimming at the local swimming pool, built as a project by the local community – ‘we build together’.

Even our B&B has a history worth repeating as it is the restored building of the old smithy, built in 1856, its old mud and reed ceilings still intact beneath the suspended plasterboard with exposed wooden beams in the kitchen on which tack, saddles and horse shoes would have originally hung.

In hindsight it would have been better to spend more than a couple of days here as there is so very much in the surrounds to do, using Ladismith as your base.

To do in Ladismith

• Otto Hager Church in South Street
• Lutheran Church Complex, mission school, and teacher’s house
• Oakdene, Ye Old Cottage, the Pentacostal Protestant Church, Albert Manor, the old Synagogue, the old Royal Hotel, hoffland Hoyz and other beautiful buildings (find out more at the Tourism Office)
• Visit Wijnhuis for wine tasting
• Visit Ladismith Cheese Company and Parmalat (main employers in Ladismith)

Beautiful drives and day trips from Ladismith

• Hoeko valley – this valley lies east of town on R62, with some incredible views during spring and autumn of the vineyards and orchards (include this in a day trip from Ladismith to Seweweekspoort)
• Zoar and Amalienstein – two pretty former mission stations – roughly 21 km east on R62
• Seweweekspoort – roughly 23km east on R62, this poort has some pretty gorgeous rock formations. It winds through the Klein Swartberg Mountains emerging on the northern side in the Karoo. To make a day of it, turn left at the T-junction as you emerge from the poort and head to Vleiland, Middelplaas and Hartland, returning home via the Rooinek Pass , Vanzylsdamme, Voorbaat and Dwarsrvier valley
• Gamkapoort dam – Start with a visit of the church in Amalienstein, take a drive through Seweweekspoort and turn right at the end of the poort. This takes you to Bosluiskloof Pass and down to the Gamkapoort dam
• Prince Albert – take the Groenfontein road over the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert for lunch. From there head to Klaarstroom and through Meiringspoort to De Rust for late afternoon tea
• Visit Oudtshoorn
• Buffelspoort Mountain Reserve and Aardvark Nature Reserve

Hikes and mountaineering

• Elandsberg – 12 km route to Stanley’s light (sometimes called Ladismith’s extra star, this is a light erected at 1500m up Elandsberg)
• Towersig – 2-12 km in hills above the town
• Springvale – 3 km on a farm or 15 km through a game enclosure
• Towerkop – 2189 m high, it might not be the highest peak, but it is the most well-known and difficult to climb
• Seweweekspoort – 2325m – the highest peak in the Klein Swartberg and in the Western Cape (good luck!)
• Peak Plaats – 2238m
• Steenslang – 2228m
• Toorkop – 2143m

Useful Ladismith Links

• Ladismith Guest Houses
• Ladismith Accommodation
• Ladismith Self Catering
• Western Cape Hotels
• Karoo Accommodation

Further Reading...

What to do and where to stay in Paternoster

Top Ten Natural Attractions in Northern Cape

South Africa’s peace parks – top 5 parks that transcend borders

10 splendid things to do when next in plettenberg bay, i love ballito because ..., sa-venues.com.

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General Information

Ladismith is situated in the Eden region of the Western Cape , South Africa . The Klein Swartberg mountain range towers above the town, with six peaks to climb, the biggest challenge being Towerkop with its split peak. The best way to experience the surroundings is being outside in the unpolluted air of the Klein Karoo , with blue skies and mountains and at night only the twinkling stars above you and the silence around you.

Towerkop is just one of the nearby peaks that make this area a nature lover and hiker’s delight. You can grace the split peak in a day, if you’re fit, or you can attempt the Elandsberg hiking trail, a 12km route to Stanley’s light, which brings us to the final delightful myth of Ladismith .  The area is in the very core of one of the ecological “hot –spots” in South Africa , being home to an extremely rich and unique biodiversity.

Vegetation ranges from Fynbos in the mountains to broken veld, spekboom and succulent Karoo on the koppies and plains. Mountain bike and 4x4 trails take you up hills and mountains, through riverbeds, valleys and the magnificent Seweweekspoort which runs through the mountain range with its winding road and spectacular rock formations, with Seweweekspoort peak the highest (2 325 m) in the Western Cape .

Several buildings have been declared National Monuments. Fruit (fresh and dried), cheese and wines and well-known products of the town and district. Recreation includes bird watching, horse riding, 4x4 routes, golf, bowls, badminton, squash, rugby and cricket.

Accommodation facilities include bed and breakfasts and self-catering units, which are showcased in the accommodation section of this directory.  Information on the businesses you can find in Ladismith please visit our business directory , or add your own free business listing .

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1. Seweweekspoort

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1. Seweweekspoort

2. Tourist Information Ladismith

3. Karoo Vine

4. Gypsy's Gin Bar

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Explore Ladismith

Plan your ladismith holiday: best of ladismith.

Essential Ladismith

Ladismith Is Great For

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Ladismith, Karoo

Find holiday accommodation in Ladismith to experience the loveliness of South Africa and the hospitality of the Western Cape. The little town of Ladismith , not to be confused with the Natalian version of Ladysmith , lies in the shadow of the Towerkop Mountain peak on Route 62 , 300 km from Cape Town in the Karoo.

The pretty town of Ladismith is unique in a number of senses, not least of which is its unique ‘Ladismith’ style of architecture that has evolved from the hotchpotch mixture of several styles including Victorian, Neo-gothic, Edwardian, Cape Dutch Revival, Regency and Rural (that’s Karoo rural!).

Ladismith is essentially a prosperous farming community producing fruit (grapes, a third of South Africa’s apricots, and plums), milk, wine, flowers and mutton. The town has two cheese factories - Parmalat and Ladismith Cheese - and the Ladismith Wine Cellar is open for cellar tours and wine tasting during the week.

Ladismith takes her name from a woman with great fortitude. Young Juana Maria de los Dolores de Leon became the 14-year old bride of Sir Henry George Wakelyn Smith in the early 1800s - thereafter known simply as ‘Mrs Henry Smith’ or Lady Smith. A childless couple, their devotion to one another is legendary. Juana often set up camp close to battle scenes in a bid to remain close to her husband - they so hated being apart.

Two other legends dominate the history of the town. The peak of the ‘magic mountain’ or Towerkop, which looms over the town, is said to have been struck by a witch in anger because it blocked her way over the mountain. The result was a deep split at the top of the mountain, producing two perfect halves.

Towerkop is just one of the nearby peaks that make this area a nature lover and hiker’s delight. You can grace the split peak in a day, if you’re fit, or you can attempt the Elandsberg hiking trail, a 12 km route to Stanley’s light , which brings us to the final delightful myth of Ladismith. Stanley de Wit took upon himself in 1963 to tackle the Elandsberg Mountains with 200 metres of plastic pipe, a spray nozzle, bicycle dynamo, a 6-volt bicycle light and the tools to help him, after his climb of three-and-a-half hours, to set up his light in the path of a mountain stream, the force of which turns the dynamo and keeps the light burning both day and night. Local farmers will easily know when water is scarce.

Additional Reading

For more info about Ladismith see our articles on the SA Travel News Blog: • Explore Ladismith

Travellers' Reviews

3 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified review very good

Best kept secret of South Africa!!!

Izak de Villiers (Centurion)

Verified review excellent

Fresh fruit, cheese, wine, fabulous local restaurant - Kanna Kombuis. You have to stay at least 2 nights and do the Seweweekspoort. Great mountain bike race in October

Willem (Johannesburg, Freiburg - Germany)

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options.

Springbokhuisie

Get a glimpse of life on a working Klein Karoo farm and discover the beauty of this unique area with a visit to Prinspoort Klein Karoo Stay. Nest...

Koedoeskloof Guesthouse

Koedoeskloof is in the Dwarsrivier, 9kms out of Ladismith in a country setting surrounded by agricultural land, fynbos, aloes and wild countrysid...

Oaksrest Vineyards Guest Farm

Oaksrest Vineyards Guest Farm is nestled in the fertile valley of Dwarsriver, 10 minutes drive from Ladismith at the foot of the legendary Towerk...

Country Garden Lavender Cottage

Country Garden Lavender Cottage is located on The Country Garden Guest Farm near Ladismith. From Ladismith town it is a very scenic drive through...

Die Kliphuis at Vyversrus

Die Kliphuis is situated on a private farm at the foot of the majestic Towerkop Mountain in our Dwarsrivier valley. Here lies our little escape f...

Escape to our retreat for nature lovers, situated on the Touw River in the magical untouched heart of the Klein Karoo. The accommodation is situa...

Karoo62Escape Bush Lodge

Karoo62Escape Bush Lodge is a stylish getaway, tucked away in a private section of the reserve, with two cottages and a central living space. Thi...

Magoos on 62

Nestled in the heart of the Little Karoo on Route R62, Magoos on 62 offers a serene retreat at Algerynskraal Farm. This rustic guest house accomm...

Grysbok Cottage

Grysbok Cottage is located at Rietfontein Farm and provides accommodation in the hills between Barrydale and Ladismith. The Cottage has two bedro...

Klipspringer Cottage

Klipspringer Cottage is a comfortable holiday home in Ladismith with two bedrooms. The veranda has braai facilities and a wood fired hot tub. The...

Country Garden Blue Gum

Country Garden Blue Gum Cottage offers Karoo self catering on The Country Garden Guest Farm near Ladismith. From Ladismith town it is a very scen...

Duiker Cottage

Duiker Cottage is located at Rietfontein Guest Farm in Ladismith nestled in the hills between Barrydale and Ladismith. With an abundance of small...

Matjiesvlei Guest Farm

Come and enjoy the serene and tranquil beauty of this valley, situated at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains between Calitzdorp and Ladismi...

Rooiberg Wild

In the shadow of the Rooiberg Mountains, in the middle of the Klein Karoo, lies a farmhouse built on South African friendliness, homestyle comfor...

Mymering is a guest house on a farm offering a choice of accommodation with spectacular views of the farm and the mountains beyond. Take advantag...

Prinspoort Plaashuis

Nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountain on an almond, pecan and sheep farm, Prinspoort Plaashuis offers accommodation in Ladismith whe...

Country Garden Aloe Cottage

Country Garden Aloe Cottage is located on The Country Garden Guest Farm near the town of Ladismith. From Ladismith it is a very scenic drive thro...

The Wine Store is a modern unit offering accommodation in Ladismith where you can experience the wide-open space of the Karoo, the extraordinary ...

Wolverfontein Farm Cottages

Wolverfontein offers accommodation, nestled at the foot of the Touwsberg Game Reserve on the banks of the Touws River, is conveniently situated o...

Country Garden Manor House

Country Garden Manor House offers Karoo self catering on The Country Garden Guest Farm near Ladismith. From Ladismith town it is a very scenic dr...

Elandhuisie

Springbok Cottage

Springbok Cottage is a two-bedroom holiday house at Rietfontein Guest Farm for self catering accommodation in the hills between Barrydale and Lad...

Steenbok Cottage

Steenbok Holiday Cottage has two bedrooms. The outside veranda has braai facilities and a wood fired hot tub. The open plan living area has a kit...

Buffelsdrift House

Buffelsdrift allows one to experience the wide-open space of the Karoo, the extraordinary Milky Way in the night sky, and life on a working olive...

Karoo62Escape Chalets

Karoo62Escape offers self-catering chalets set amid the semi-desert fauna and mountain views of a private nature reserve in the heart of the Klei...

Country Garden Sunflower Cottage

Country Garden Sunflower Cottage offers self catering accommodation on The Country Garden Guest Farm near Ladismith. From the town it is a very s...

Things to do in the area

The stunning DwarsBar is situated in a central location at the Koedoeskloof Country Lodge where you can sit back and relax on the viewing deck an...

Ladismith Cellar

You'll find the Ladismith Cellar between the towns of Barrydale and Calitzdorp in the town of Ladismith. Here you'll find fantastic brandy and wi...

Anysberg Horse Trail

For an equestrian experience of a lifetime why not get on the Anysberg Horse Trail. This two day trail takes place in Anysberg Nature Reserve and...

Stanley’s Light

This obscure landmark was created in 1963 using a bicycle lamp and other materials. He fixed it to halfway up Elandsberg Mountain as an indicator...

Buffelspoort MTB Route

This beautiful route offers rugged, steep and challenging surfaces. The trail is rather difficult and can be done as a circular route or a return...

Buffelspoort Rubicon 4x4 Trail

One of the wonderful gems of the Western Cape Province of South Africa is Buffelspoort. This is a pristine wilderness area that is also a formal ...

Self Drive Laingsburg to Ladismith

Route: Laingsburg, Seweweekspoort, Amalienstein, Zoar, Hoeko Valley, LadismithDescription: explore the rolling hills and sandstone peaks of the K...

Laingsburg Flood Museum

On 25 January 1981, the Karoo changed forever. The little town of Laingsburg was hit by what continues to be one of the most dramatic natural dis...

Kanna Biodiversity Route

The Kanna Biodiversity Route is a rural tourism route created by Open Africa as a way to draw attention to the lesser-known gems, and old favouri...

Noteworthy attractions

Anysberg Nature Reserve

In the heart of the Cape Fold Mountains, the natural abundance of the Anysberg Nature Reserve is situated in the Little Karoo of the Western Cape...

Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

In Roux Road on the outskirts of Worcester, some 120 kilometres from Cape Town, lies a unique gem of a garden - the only truly succulent garden i...

Cango Caves

Almost 30 kilometres outside of Outshoorn in the Klein Karoo, and certainly one of the main reasons for placing this little town on your itinerar...

Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park is situated close to the N1 highway between Cape Town and the hinterland, approximately 1000 km south of Johannesburg and...

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo is the remote Gamka mountain range, isolated because of the conduit of the Gouritz River that slices between the Gamkab...

Kammanassie Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies an inselberg or monadnock - an isolated hill or small mountain that...

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San i...

Swartberg Nature Reserve

The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west an...

Meiringspoort

The towering sandstone cliff walls and breathtaking rock formations of Meiringspoort lie on the N12 between Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn. The poo...

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Route 62: ladismith and calitzdorp.

Most people don’t take the time to explore what’s beyond the main roads of Ladismith and Calitzdorp. However, you’d be amazed at what they have to offer!

Most people drive through the towns of Ladismith and Calitzdorp, perhaps stopping to put in fuel, but not taking the time to explore what’s beyond the main road. Here’s a selection of things to do in these towns if you choose to stay a while and explore.

The farming town of Ladismith was established in 1852 with her most famous claim to fame being the legend of Towerkop. The story goes that an angry witch flying over the mountain struck the peak with her wand, causing the split. Here are 12 things to do in Ladismith if you choose not to fly through, but rather stay awhile.

1. The House of Allsorts

Contact : Tel: 0796151700, or follow them on Facebook

If you are looking for collector’s items or antiques then do make time to snoop about in the newly-opened House of Allsorts. Dee Cristofoli, is a true magpie and every room, from the kitchen to the bathroom, is overflowing with trinkets from yesteryear. However, there is some order in the chaos and if there’s something specific you are looking for, be it a novel salt cellar or an enamel chamberpot, Dee will be sure to find it in a flash. Everything is negotiable and everything is for sale! She also stocks delicious locally-made Aloe Jam which is not something you are going to come across very often.

2. Gert’s Junk Stall

Next door to The House of Allsorts is another treasure trove of ancient things! Oom Gert is 91 years old and it’s quite possible that most of the things in his shop are much older! You’ll find anything from commemorative coins to stamp collections and paraffin lamps to garden tools. Do take a stroll through the yard down Memory Lane where you’ll find old farm implements, shop signage and all manner of upcycled junk. It’s quite fascinating!

3. Parmalat Cheese Factory

Contact : Tel 0285511030

To be honest, I was looking forward to tasting Ladismith cheeses as I was in Ladismith after all! However it turns out that while you can buy Ladismith Cheese and butter from various outlets (including the petrol station) they don’t offer formal tastings. If you want to do a Parmalat cheese tasting, then pop into the Parmalat shop for a free cheese tasting. You can also buy Parmalat dairy products, from their award-winning Mature Gouda to Aylesbury ice cream, at very reasonable prices. They are so popular that they sell, on average, three tonnes of cheese every month!  Their garden perfect for a padkos break and they also have thick fruit yoghurt shakes that are a meal in themselves. Note that a few days notice is required if you want to do a cheese tasting.

4. Architectural Walking Tour

Ladismith has its own buliding style, known as the Ladismith Style (a simplified Georgian style) and there are some wonderful old buildings that have been restored, some of which are now National Monuments. There are also plenty of magnificent churches! The Tourism Bureau is housed in the Neo-Gothic Otto Hager Church, built in 1874, while the Lutheran Church, built in 1856 has Bible texts painted on its inner walls. The old Synagogue is probably the only example of Lithuanian style in South Africa and it was here that Jewish children were taught Hebrew in the afternoons. There are also “feather boom” houses, the most famous being The ‘ Volstruis Paleis’ (Ostrich Palace). If you fancy staying in a National Monument from the ostrich era, Albert Manor is a beautifully restored guesthouse that was built in 1892 for an ostrich baron. The wallpaper is the original wallpaper, while the windows still have the origianal handmade glass imported from Holland. No expense was spared in building this home with its cast iron broekie lace and Oregon pine ceilings and floors.

5. Mymering Wine Estate

Contact : Tel 0285511548, mymering.com

Mymering is a working farm in the Dwarsrivier Valley that produces Hillock Wines in their state-of-the-art boutique cellar. Here you can experience the wine-making process and book for a dinner with a wine-pairing. The menu is seasonal and you can choose between a two-course meal with no wine pairing, or have a four-course feast with wine. I really enjoyed my beef brisket with carrot mash and their vanilla pannacotta was the best I have ever had. They also offer luxury suites if you want to stay longer and enjoy the view of the Towerkop Mountain from your own private jacuzzi deck.

6. Mountain Passes and Mission Stations

Contact : Tel 0722055632

Spend the day exploring Seweweekspoort Pass, the Hoeko Valley and the mission stations of Zoar and Amalienstein with Desmond Sauer who knows the area extremely well. Hear about Oom Stanley’s Light while bumping along the dirt roads and into Seweweekspoort, which was used by the Attequa and Inqua people and also by brandy smugglers in the 18 th century. The pass has magnificent rock formations, indigenous plants and river crossings. Visit the rural mission towns of Zoar and Amalienstein, along with the charming Lutheran-style church, built in 1853 that still has the original organ in working order. If he’s at home, you may be lucky enough to meet Oom Paul who makes dolls houses and at 85 years old still delivers them to outlets in Cape Town!

7. Porcupine Rest Camp and Overlander Bar

Contact : Tel 0724482016, porcupinerestcamp.co.za

If you take a drive through the picturesque Seweweekspoort Pass from Ladismith towards Lainsburg, you’ll see a sign on the R323 saying “Ice cold beer sold here”. I strongly urge you to turn in here! The Overlander Bar is a great spot to enjoy a cold beverage and a pizza while listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin and taking on the locals at a game of pool. Porcupine Rest Camp offers individual campsites under shady trees and you’ll have the whole campsite to yourself, whether there is only one of you or ten. The (huge) campsites are well maintained and have private showers, flush toilets and a large braai area. They also have camping gear for hire, from tents to potjie pots and they are happy to set everything up for you at no extra charge.

8. BKH Products

Contact : Tel 0715239905, bkhproducts.co.za

All those enamel mugs, placemats and windmills you buy along Route 62 most likely come from the talented husband and wife team at BKH Products. They specialise in sandblasting, laser cutting and laser engraving of products and gifts, including mugs, tot glasses, wine glasses, cutting boards and even 3D pieces. If you are looking for a unique Route 62 memento then pop in here. You’ll be overwhelmed at the amazing products they create and for a fraction of the price you’ll pay elsewhere.

9. Post House Coffee Shop & Deli

Contact : Tel 0647977397, or follow them on Facebook

Once the post office for the town, this newly-opened coffee shop and deli serves up coffee, breakfasts and light meals, as well as stocking locally sourced goods from coffee to confectionary to waterwise plants. Vegans and vegetarians are well catered for here and they also offer a Sunday Roast with all the trimmings served with a complimentary glass of wine or homemade lemonade.

10. Roadside Roosterkoek

If you are feeling hungry and love roosterkoek, then look out for Melinda near the Parmalat Cheese Factory. You’ll find her there every Friday and Saturday and her roosterkoek (jam and cheese or boerewors with tomato relish) is definitely worth stopping for!  

11. Towerzicht Guest House

Contact : Tel 0826982407

This grand old dame was bult in 1912 and has been lovingly restored over the past six years by owner, Andre Brits and his family. If you stay here you can expect a home-away-from-home experience, complete with good helpings of Boere kos served with lashings of laughter over dinner around the table with the family. In the morning the smell of bacon wafts up the stairs, while their Jack Russells, Tiger and Bobby, eagerly wait at the foot of the stairwell for you to throw a ball. The three rooms are cosy and comfortable, each with their own Victorian bath. The Red Room overlooks the Otto Hager Church and if you are there on a Sunday you can expect to awaken to the sound of church bells. The guesthouse is perfectly situated to explore the town on foot and it’s a wonderful spot to stoep-sit!

12. Oaks Rest Vineyards

Contact: Tel 0285512027, oaksrest.com

If you love hiking and biking, this is the place to be! Oaks Rest have numerous walking and mountain bike trails and have even gone so far as to supply a backpack in case you forgot yours. The Chenin Blanc Cottage has incredible views across the Dwarsriver Valley, the Swartberg Mountains and Towerkop and can accommodate up to eight people with two bedrooms, both having en-suite bathrooms, with four beds in the loft. The Pinotage Farmhouse (originally a school) sleeps up to nine people, while the Crimson Cottage sleeps two and makes for a perfect couple’s weekend away. All the self-catering cottages have everything you could possibly need, including braai areas that are well-stocked with wood for nights under the Karoo stars. There’s also a beautiful dam where guests are welcome to enjoy a dip and have a picnic or sundowners. Bottles of Oaks Rest wines are available for purchase and can be found in each of the cottages – their Pinotage is very agreeable indeed!

Mention Calitzdorp to most people and their immediate association is port! While they (very deservingly) are famous for their port and wine cellars, there are some other hidden treasures in this town. Here are a few to get you started.

1. Gamka River Safari Company

Contact : Tel 0789879852, gamkariversafarico.com

It’s not often you get to enjoy a slice of carrot cake with a cowboy while giving saucers of tea to his aging Jack Russell and watching the farm roosters strut their stuff inbetween the giant feet of Percharons! When he’s not taking groups of people on horse safaris through the Karoo, Hans van Vreden spends his time restoring old saddles, taking care of his five dogs, 32 horses, 10 donkeys, too many cats to count. Hans’ life revolves completely around his horses and he’s also involved in community projects, including a donkey feeding program and replacing old tack on the donkey carts. His trails include day outrides or a few days in the saddle exploring the area. Trot along oxwagon trails, meet local artists, learn basic survival skills and about medicinal plants, along with plenty of starry nights, endless space and good food. Whilst some of his clients have included British Cavalry officers, anyone is welcome to go on safari as his horses are extremely well trained and gentle. However, if being on horseback is little unerving, you can always organise a ride in the cart, fondly known as the Karoo Uber!

2. Succulent Walk

Contact:  Tel 0716000109

There are over 400 succulent plant species that are endemic to the Klein Karoo and there’s nobody better than Kevin Koen to take you on a walk to discover Duck’s Foot, Lizard’s Tail and Baboon Grapes. Kevin lives and breathes succulents and has even discovered a new species of plant that was subsequently named after him. He’ll open your eyes to the fascinating world of succulents, including how they cope with their harsh environment, their medicinal qualities and their many uses, including making of brooms, preserving fruit and manufacturing soap. After this tour you will be very aware of the many tiny living plants that you probably step on when you walk through the Karoo!

3. Calitzdorp on Foot

Contact : Tel 0845051071

Calitzdorp is filled with historical buildings, many of which have some interesting stories to tell. Pick up a map from the Tourism Bureau and take a stroll past homes that belonged to wagon builders, dressmakers, teachers and ostrich farmers. A visit to the museum, housed in the original Standard Bank Building (complete with orginal bank vault), will give you a better idea of the lay of the land and how the Calitzdorp community lived. They have a vast collection of photographs, farm implements and local artefacts, including an original washing machine and a very interesting General Directory of United South Africa from 1912. A map is available from the Tourism Bureau, but if you would rather have a guide who is passionate about the town take you around, then give Merith a call on the number above.

4. Ebenharts Handmade Pipes and Restaurant

Contact : Tel 0442133569, ebenharts.co.za

When Ebenhart Botha moved to Calitzdorp, he wanted to open up a shop in town, but it had to be more than just pipes and curios, so he started with a patio and served tea. Today you’ll find a restaurant serving breakfast and light meals, along with a smoking room because that’s what Ebenhart specialises in! He is one of only a few pipe-makers in the country and has been crafting pipes since 1993. He was trained by Willie Mattner, who was well known to South African pipe smokers of the sixties to eighties and his handmade briar pipes were much sought after. Ebenhart uses only the best local woods that have been tried and tested and only the best imported Briar. His pipes also have a lifetime guarantee. You’ll find all manner of pipes available and Ebenhart is only too happy to share his passion with you. He also collects classic cars that are worth taking a look at while you stretch your legs and get some fresh air.

5. Rose of the Karoo

Contact : Tel 0442133204, roseofthekaroo.co.za

The owner of Rose of the Karoo, Sandy Du Plessis, is so popular with the locals that one might say that she is the rose of the Karoo! She is delightfully charming, energetic and passionate and this all reflects in her restaurant, deli and gift shop. When it’s warm, you can relax on the patio under vines, or cosy up next to a warm fire on chilly days. They serve breakfast all day, along with light meals that are tasty and well-priced. The deli offers treats and takeaways for those on the move, while many interesting local products and trinkets can be found in the gift shop. They are also pet-friendly if you are travelling with your dog. As a side, the carrot cake I enjoyed with Hans was also procured from Sandy so she’s the one to go to for a good piece of cake!

6. Red Door Guest Room

Contact : Tel 725250150, or follow them on Facebook

You won’t believe what’s behind the red door in Barry Street! A bathroom of absolute magnificence! This bathroom is so breathtaking that home decorating magazines have even photographed it. Think harlequin floor, Victorian bath, every type of bath bubble and body lotion, plush towels, soft fluffy dressing gowns… it’s every girl’s dream! Your hosts even give you a bottle of wine and Sweetie Pies upon arrival, so you can seriously indulge in bathtime bliss! But apart from the bathroom (which really does steal the show), the whole place is a work of art, from the flowers on the dresser to the lights strung up on the stoep and the tin mugs gently clanging in the breeze. Pieter and Trudy van Niekerk are lovely hosts whose attention to detail is really what makes the Red Door Guestroom special. They truly go the extra mile to make sure your stay is comfortable, including providing jars of rusks and treats, muffins, yoghurt and fruit. They also have some interesting stories to tell if you take the time to get to know them.

7. Groenfontein Meander

Other than the best bathroom in the world, this is possibly my favourite find in Calitzdorp. Follow a dusty circular road that takes you to Nels River Dam (where you can have a braai), to olive and wine farms, artists homes that have open galleries and tea rooms and a quaint restaurant that serves breakfasts, and light meals, served with some intersting local stories on the side.

Pop into Du SwaRoo Wine and Olive Farm , the smallest wine farm in the Klein Karoo Wine Route, where you can do a wine and olive tasting and purchase tasty treats like atchars and olives, along with bottles of their wine.

Relax on the stoep and taste award-winning wines while admiring the view at Peter Bayly Wines . Over a glass of their famous white Port, you’ll be captivated by tales of marauding baboons and laugh at the antics of the chickens who are forever trying to get into the house. While you are there, find out about their Portly Pig Project!

Next door you’ll find Oude Postkantoor Coffee Shop and Gallery , owned by the charming and humorous Mike Muuren and Peter Giani, who actually live in George and only come to their restaurant at weekends. Their shady deck is a great spot to enjoy a cappucinno or a toasted sandwich (or whatever they feel like cooking that day).

Artists along the way include Roger Young and Phyllis Midlane who also have a coffee shop in Roger’s Kruisrivier Gallery where you can get something to drink and a snack while admiring his beautifully captured and somewhat haunting Karoo images. He also offers cosy self-catering accommodation if you are in need of a place to stay. Phyllis is part of the Handspring Puppet Company team and has her studio across the road.

Finally make a turn at Marcia’s Studio where you’ll find all manner of interesting pieces and if you are there on a Sunday, she may well be hosting one of her movie nights under the stars which are popular with the locals.

Tip : Make sure you take in the famous red sandstone hills at sunset before re-joining Route 62.

Also read: Route 62: Montagu and Barrydale

Next > Look out for the next installment of Rachel Robinson’s Route 62 trip in the coming week: Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert

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Ladismith Passes & Poorts

Rooiberg pass.

Ladismith Passes and Poorts – The Rooiberg Conservation area covers 60 000 ha intact veld and was the first nature conservation area in the Klein Karoo. It is mountain area with deep ravines and as in a catchment area, several rivers and pools have been formed. At the low-lying areas of the pass the vegetation is succulent Karoo, changing to more mountain fynbos as the road winds to the summit. Some examples of succulents to be found are: aloe species, Cerochlamys pachyphylla (pronkvygie), Crassula alpestris (bergplakkie), Crassula columnaris (koesnaatjie), Gasteria brachyphylla (oukossie), Glottiphyllum regium (groot skilpadkos), C. carnosum (klein skilpadkos), Haworthia blackburniae, Tylecodon ventricosus (klipnenta), Portulacaria afra (spekboom). In the higher lying areas are ravines with indigenous forests, with stinkwood trees growing in some of the ravines. A wide diversity of mountain fynbos is also to be found. The scarce protea, Paranomus roodebergens, appears here, as well as in the neighbouring Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, on Sandberg at Zoar and Touwsberg in the Ladismith area.

Several mammal species occur in the area and this includes klipspringer, grey rhebuck, springbuck, duiker, grysbuck, leopards, baboons, honey-badger, wild cats, mongoose and other cat species. The black eagle as well as the booted eagle can be found here. A new endemic butterfly, Thestor rooibergensis has been discovered some time ago in the area. From Vanwyksdorp one could take the turn-off towards Gamkaberg, via Dwars-in-die-Weg over the Rooiberg Pass to Calitzdorp. While not spectacular in the way of providing huge drops, the Rooiberg Pass is a substantial one, rising to a height of 800 m and crossing the top of the range, before descending to the west bank of Gamka River near Calitzdorp. It is said that the pass was constructed during the depression and built with spades and wheelbarrows by the inhabitants of Vanwyksdorp. At the summit of the pass is a site where earlier travellers prayed to give thanks every time that they did the dangerous and difficult trip and also asked for help for the steep descent. Each deposited a stone on a prayer heap and it can still be seen today. From here one has a 360º view of the surrounding Klein Karoo, with the Langeberg to the south and the Klein Swartberg to the north, with rising hills on the plains, which is so typical of the Klein Karoo landscape.

HUIS RIVER PASS (‘Huis’ – Khoi for willows)

Difficult mountain terrain separated Ladismith from Calitzdorp. The earliest route through the mountains was a kloof discovered in 1807 and named Welgevonden or Rooielsbos-kloof. It was opened up by Gerrit Pretorius and, being the only direct way to Ladismith, was used extensively. A few years later, in 1810, it was rechristened Caledon Kloof in honour of the Governor of the Cape at that time. Caledon Kloof could not really be designated a pass, for it was nothing but the roughest track following the bed of a stream through the mountains that emerged south-west of Calitzdorp.

A Dr Wangemann, inspector of the Berlin Mission Stations, travelled through the Caledon Kloof on 1 November 1866 and described the route as extremely beautiful but frightening, for it passed between high rock walls that almost touched one another in places, the passage being so narrow that there was insufficient room for both the stream and the road. There were potholes half a meter deep alternating with huge rocks, and the kloof was – not surprisingly – littered with broken wheels, bits of wagon and skeletons of oxen. It was quite impassable when it rained. During 1882 a ‘flying survey’ or reconnaissance to investigate the possibility of a rail line was carried out. The report stated that “the kloof was narrow – too narrow to carry both the road and a rail line, and with perpendicular krantzes of hard sandstone on both sides; the whole breadth of the valley being occupied by the river and road in some places. The road must be sacrificed for the railway, and the former would be taken by way of Huis River”. The whole bed of the kloof was totally washed away by a flood in May 1885, and this was the end of any thoughts of developing Caledon Kloof as a permanent route between the two valleys.

Finally in 1896 a new road was built through the Huis River Pass, which made it easier for anyone needing to cross the mountain. In 1966 a modern highway was constructed through the Huis River Pass. Four kilometers from Calitzdorp one enters the Pass. It is a spectacular road winding through the mountain up to 665 metres above sea level, providing some spectacular scenery and it is a beautiful example of location and construction. Parts of the old gravel road can still be seen on the slopes of the mountain above the tarred road. It ascends in long sweeps from where it crosses the Gamka River at the bottom of the kloof, some11 km from Calitzdorp, following the hillside above the Huis River. The Huis River runs from Seweweekspoort and is one of the tributaries of the Gourits River, as is the Gamka River, which separates the Klein Swartberge from the Groot Swartberge.

The mountains here, as in Seweweekspoort and Meiringspoort, are composed of sedimentary sandstone strata, originally laid down under the sea and forced upwards by such tremendous pressure that they have been warped and twisted into the most intricate shapes (Cape ripple mountains). Richly impregnated with oxidised iron and manganese, the sandstone is so vividly coloured in red, orange and yellow, that it seems aglow with fire.

Vegetation in the pass consists mainly of succulent karoo: Aloe speciosa (slaphoring alwyn), Dioscorea hemicrypta (olifantsvoet), Portulacaria afra (spekboom) as well as Rhigozum obovatum (wilde/geel granaat, Karoo gold) and Nymania capensis (klapperbos).

Seweweekspoort & Bosluiskloof Pass

The local inhabitants on both sides of the Swartberg had been agitating for the construction of access roads through the mountain range since about 1854. John Montagu, the Colonial Secretary, visited the area in 1849, and after various investigations it was decided to build the first road through Meiringspoort, and then that through Seweweekspoort, 23 km east of Ladismith.

Seweweekspoort

The gorge is 17 km long, following the course of the Huis River (derived from a Khoi word for ‘willows’) at a level of 600 – 1 000 metres above sea-level through the mountains. One theory about the origin of the name of Seweweekspoort is that it is named after a Berlin Mission Society preacher Louis Zerwick, who did his good work in the vicinity. Most authorities though accept the explanation that the name is derived from that of the Seven-weeks fern (Rumohra adiantiformis), called Seweweeksvaring in Afrikaans, which occurs in moist places and crevices.

The form Seweweekspoort is preferred for official purposes (“New Dictionary of South African Place Names” 2004). Had it not been named Seweweekspoort, we might have ended up with a Huis River Poort, as well as the Huis River Pass further downstream on the road to Calitzdorp. Here, as in Meiringspoort, the ‘padmakers’ were faced with a refusal by the Road Board to allocate sufficient funds for a reasonable standard of road. The ‘boer road’, which was all that could be built along the valley bottom, came under water at the twenty-three river crossings, often blocking traffic, when the water level in the infant river rose.

Construction was sufficiently advanced by June 1862 for the pass to be opened to traffic and it was finally completed five months later. Although susceptible to flood damage, it was a tremendous benefit to the districts which it served, opening up the lines of communication on which economic development is always dependent. A four to six days’ journey had been reduced to one of three hours. Severe flooding in 1875 washed away the road, prompting Thomas Bain to report that an entirely new road would have to be built. As the cost was exorbitant, he proposed a new route over (not through ) the Swartberg. (This was the spectacular Swartberg Pass that was built from 1881 – 1887). De Smidt was already at loggerheads with Bain over the new Knysna road to George. The two drifted apart and eventually refused to talk to each other again. Ironically, it was De Smidt who was appointed to oversee the completion of Katberg Pass, the final work of Bain’s father, before the latter’s sudden death in 1864.

In 1878, James Fforde, Chief Inspector of public works, proposed the re-routing and raising of the road through Seweweekspoort. Fortunately, the recommendation was not accepted by parliament – fortunately for those who benefit from the Swartberg Pass, which was built instead, and for those who love the atmosphere and the natural world of Seweweekspoort as it stood for ages, a monument to creation. Many have described the rugged beauty of Seweweekspoort, but I shall quote Dr William Atherstone, a much-respected geologist of that period (he it was who identified the first diamond found near Hopetown in 1867). He drove through Seweweekspoort in 1871 with Thomas Bain, also respected as a geologist, when on their way to investigate reports of gold having been found near Prince Albert.

Dr. Atherstone wrote: “ …the most wonderful gorge or mountain pass I have ever beheld. For twelve miles you travel bare walls of vertical rock, in part 3 000 feet high, twisting and twining as the mountain stream winds through the flexures and curves of the mountain chasm, crossing and re-crossing, I am told more than thirty times; in part so narrow there is scarcely any room for the river and road – yet an excellent wagon road has been made through it with comparatively little expense; and certainly, nowhere in the Colony have I seen so wonderful a pass – a clean zigzag cut through the whole thickness of the rock formation of the range from top to bottom. When once you enter, no appearance of exit is there for two hours and a half; but you are constantly meeting new scenes, over which quartzose cliffs, curved and fractured in every direction – now red vertical peninsula formation sandstone, with flexures and arches jammed together in inexplicable confusion, as if jammed together laterally by prodigious force – at the next turning, gentle ripple-like rock waves, with blue slate – and high overhead, bright-yellow lichened crags, making the neck ache in an attempt to look up at them, with a small chink of sky overhead; shut up in front and behind, with the white riverbed below, or on one side curved with huge quartz boulders, and fringed with green trees – Virgilia oroboides(keurboom), wagenboom, aloes, and succulents nestling in the rock fissures high above you. How few know of this extraordinary mountain gap!”

All these remarks – even the last sentence – apply today, many decades later: the road still has a gravel surface. Seweweekspoort is possibly one of the most awe-inspiring and spectacular of all the mountain ravines in the country. Nobody can blame the author and poet C Louis Leipoldt for calling it one of the “seven wonders” of the old Cape Province. The magnificent vertical rockfolds, reaching for the skies on both sides of the road, reflect the inconceivable forces of the volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, forming the chain of Cape ripple-like mountains. Often the converging slopes leave only a narrow pass, just broad enough for the Huis River to pass through, whilst the precipices of naked, distorted rock-faces tower like walls of a natural rampart, obscuring the sun. The ruins of the original Toll house can still be seen at the northern entrance to the poort. It is believed that the ghost of one of the first toll gate keepers still wanders amongst the ruins. On dark, stormy nights a couple of motorists have already been stopped by a man with a lantern. As soon as they approach him, he disappears!

The poort is also the home of the Protea Aristata, a very rare protea which was rediscovered in 1950, after it was suspected to have become extinct. This protea, called the Christmas protea by the locals, flowers during December, while the aloes flower in spring. Pr aristata is a Klein Swartberg endemic (it occurs nowhere else), as is the Stalked Pincushion Ls secundifolium and the Ladismith Scepter Pa centauroides. pruinosa The Poort serves as another gateway from the Karoo into the Klein Karoo and is dominated on the western side by the Seweweekspoort peak, at 2 352 m the highest peak in the Klein Swartberg, as well as in the Western Cape. Cussonia paniculata (Cabbage tree/ Kiepersol) and Virgilia oroboides (keurtjie trees) are in abundance along the road. Occasionally leopards have been seen drinking water from the river.

Bosluiskloof Pass / Gamkapoort Dam

Towards the early 1870’s Thomas Bain and Dr Atherton travelled through Seweweekspoort and Bosluiskloof Pass to Prince Albert to investigate reports of gold in the so-called Gouph region between the Swartberg and Nuweberg mountain ranges and noted for its fertility. From the northern end of Seweweekspoort, turning right, the road runs up the northern foot of the Swartberg up to Bosluiskloof Pass, where it is hemmed in between the Swartberg and Elandberg. It snakes for 22 km between the two mountain ranges, forming the boundary between the Klein Karoo and the Great Karoo, leading to Gamkapoort Dam. The pass has been termed ‘the gateway to the Gouph’.

Adam De Smidt built Bosluiskloof pass while and after working on Seweweekspoort to complete the natural link from Prince Albert to the west. It was not particularly heavy construction, but the pass has a beauty of its own. Atherstone was equally impressed by ‘a boundless sea of blue mountains, cones and peaks, table tops and jagged lines of hillocks, tinged with the faint blush of early morn – the huddled groups of hills in the mid-distance, still in deep shadow; with the aloes and crassulas, and the fantastic rocks of the Zwartberg on our right and the road winding down the steep side of the Klein Zwartberg, whose topmost crags were just painted by the glowing rays of the unseen sun. What a wild charm thrown over the distant labyrinth of hills in the soft glow of early morn!’ He wrote: ‘What visions of unknown gold that first glimpses of the Gouph called up! Nuggets of the Gouph! Yes, there they lay; painted in all the glorious colours of the rainbow; a grand chromatic blending of gold and crimson and azure with the grey tints of deep kloofs, untouched by the magic rays of sunrise…’ Gold they did not find, but another kind of gold – fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years were in abundance – the most prolific being fossils of (bush) ticks (‘bosluise’) – hence the name of the river and the pass.

The area near Gamkapoort Dam is a treasure host of fossils. Among the numerous fossilized species discovered are trilobites, ancient arthropods which lived in the beginning of the Cambrian period 570 million years ago. They flourished as scavengers for 350 million years before becoming extinct and were replaced by more complex organisms. Fossilized brachiopods (lampshells) also abound, superficially resembling molluscs such as clams. Other fossils found are those of mollusc-like snails, slugs and limpets, as well as echinoderms – invertebrates symmetrically radial in form, with a body cavity and the ability to move. These creatures all lived in ancient inland From a point about five kilometers west of the dam the narrow footpath to Gamkaskloof (The Hell) takes off. One section of this footpath is known as ‘Die Leer’ (the ladder); here it zigzags down an almost vertical drop of about 450 metres. Only for the strong at heart and nimble of foot – and a clear conscience would be an advantage!

The 54 000 megalitre Gamkapoort Dam was completed in 1969 to supplement the Nels River irrigation system. The dam is fed by the Bosluiskloof, Elandskloof and Dwyka rivers and mainly by the Gamka, which continues its southern flow through a spectacular gorge known as Gamkaskloof. The construction of the dam cut off the continuation of the road to Prince Albert.

Garcia Pass

Water and time form an irresistible combination. When you seek the best passage through a chain of mountains, look for river courses. Although Mr A H Garcia, the Civil Commissioner of Riversdale, was not an engineer, he realised this fact and turned it to the advantage of the inhabitants of his district. The development of the Klein Karoo town of Ladismith in the early 1850’s and the necessity for the farmers and traders to have access to Riversdale and thus so to the port of Mossel Bay, called for a more direct route through the Langeberg Mountains. At that time Plattekloof Pass was the only existing route over the mountains between Riversdale and Ladismith – quite a considerable detour. It was with this in mind that Garcia rode into the mountains following the course of the Kafferskuils River Gorge to see if there was any potential for the construction of a pass at that point. Though the river may not be large, the gorge of the Kafferkuils is, and Garcia found a way through the mountains. With the help of a few convicts he constructed a bridle path, and by 1868 it was in general use by horsemen.

Soon people began to demand a proper road through the mountains, and in 1869 the Divisional Council of Riversdale approached the Cape Government, and offered a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ contribution of R2 000. Petitions to Parliament followed, and in 1871 Thomas Bain was asked to examine the route. He reported that, with the aid of convicts, a pass could be built for R3 200. The chief inspector, Mr Robinson, was not as optimistic, but even he estimated that the job would only cost R6 000. So, on 3 July 1872, Parliament decided that Garcia Pass should be constructed by convict labour, as soon as Tradouw Pass was completed. In 1873 Thomas Bain was still employed on railway work. Nevertheless he found time to stake out the course of Garcia Pass. By the end of the year the work was completed on Tradouw and 107 convicts were transferred to Garcia Pass. A convict station was built and work commenced on the road. The pass was to be 17,5 km long, with 9 km of approach road. During 1874 half a kilometre of road was completed, including 12 culverts, the latter being quite a considerable problem on a road of this nature. In 1875 work moved forward only slowly. Bain gave as a reason the small number of convicts employed, and asked for permission to employ a free party as well. The truth was that Garcia Pass was a formidable undertaking – a mountain kloof as rugged as Bain’s Kloof – and it needed the full-time attention of an experienced and brilliant engineer. But Bain was engaged simultaneously on two other major passes – Cogmans Kloof and Pakhuis Pass – hundreds of kilometers apart. The detailed work, therefore, was left in the hands of the local foreman, an unsatisfactory and expensive procedure. At the end of 1875 Bain reported that only 10 km of Garcia Pass had been completed during the year, and this included 6,5 km of easy approach road. The foreman had been relieved, but his successor had fared a little better. The year 1876 brought further problems to Garcia Pass. The expenditure for the year was limited to R2 000. Bain was smart; instead of building only a short section of good road, he built a long narrow road of a rough character, contrasting unfavourably with the broad sections completed in earlier years. This forced the authorities to spend the extra money the following year. Despite his many frustrations, the pass was officially opened on 31 December 1877 by Mr A H Garcia, having taken four years to complete. The pass cost R58 712 – far in excess of either Bain’s estimate of R3 200 or Robinson’s estimate of R6 000. The old toll house established in 1877 and in use until Toll Stations were abolished in 1918, has been restored and attained National Monument status in 1968. The pass was finally widened and tarred in 1963.

The Cape Argus , in an editorial dated 27 December 1879, pointed out ruefully the uncertainties involved in estimating the cost of mountain passes.Though the original estimate for Garcia Pass was R3 000, its ultimate cost was R58 712 – an extremely expensive work for those years.

Garcia Pass is one of the lesser known passes of the Cape. It deserves more publicity, for it is a fine example of the pass builders’ craft, having been widened and tarred in 1963. A tarred road leads from Riversdale to the narrow old bridge which is the only way across the Kafferkuils River at the foot of the pass. It has been replaced by a large modern bridge. The old road began climbing immediately and, after as few sharp curves, it emerged on a hilltop where Bain’s convict station was situated. The old stone building has falling into ruins, although one corner appears still to be inhabited. Beyond the convict station the road climbed the slopes of the striking Mosambiekkop (1422m). The view over the valley is extensive, and striking. Your eye is drawn to the deep canyon formed by the Kafferkuils River, on the far side of which are visible the houses of the Corrente-Vette irrigation scheme. The road enters the ravine of the Kafferskuils River. The gorge is magnificent – a chasm running between Mosambiekkop and the equally high Oudeboschkop (1375 m) opposite. The roadway clings to the edge of the slope with the river, in places, 250 m below. The old road is narrow, but protected by a substantial meter-high wall. Keeping to the right-hand of the kloof, it wound its way right through the gorge. Near the far end a house stands between the old and new roads. It is the old toll house, built in 1877 and in use until 1918. It was proclaimed an historical monument in 1968. The old pass has been reconstructed and widened in places, the sharp curves eliminated, and cuttings substituted. From the new road you can admire the strength of the supporting walls (sometimes 15m high), which Bain’s convicts constructed.

Gysmanshoek Pass – A Hidden Pass In The Southern Cape

Travellers who like to turn off the beaten track, should definitely go looking for the Gysmanshoek pass between Riversdale and Heidelberg in the Southern Cape, crossing the Langeberg mountain range into the Klein Karoo. It is most probably one of the best preserved secrets of that area – a real gem. It is not indicated on tourism maps as it so fo far from the main roads that it takes quite a while to reach it. In some places there are just two tracks and in winter it could get slippery and dangerous. From the south-eastern side one travels from Riversdale towards Garcia pass. Shortly after the Agricultural School a gravel road turns towards the Korenteriverdam. Turn left and set your odometer on zero. After 25,5km of ups-and-downs over hills and valleys, and winding through ravines, one reaches the turnoff to the pass.

The first part of the road is quite bad and rocky where it descends along a steep decline. The wonderful fynbos along the way is a natural wonder. About 4,5 km from the turnoff the road goes over the first mountain range through a marshy dale where several mountain tracks have been opened on the slopes. From there one proceeds to a valley, typical of the higher parts of the Southern Cape mountains, just to ascend the next incline of the second mountain.

And where the road emerges on top of the second mountain, the next wonder awaits the traveller – from there one has a vista of the mountain ranges of the Klein Karoo – each one a different shade of blue – one after the other. Looking north, one can see Towerkop at Ladismith on the horizon. From that point the road descends to the Klein Karoo. About 6,3 km for the summit one reaches a T-junction where one turns to the left to reach Barrydale, or to the right towards Garcia pass and Riversdale or towards Ladismith to the north.

Do go and have a look where Gysmanshoeks pass is – you will feel as if you have discovered a completely new world!

Buffelspoort

To reach Laingsburg from Ladismith, the traveller has either have to travel to the west to round the Klein Swartberg mountain to Rooinek Pass or drive through Seweweekspoort and Vleiland to reach his destination. The Buffels River runs mainly south and east from Rooinek Pass through an 12 kilometer poort and this offered an alternative. During the sixties the Cape Provincial Administration investigated the possibility and ran a base-line survey along the route through the poort. Land surveyors did the job and besides the normal hazards of a road survey – in this case the poort was heavily bushed – the survey party had to flee in haste up the side of the gorge one evening when a flood came down. The first land surveyor fell ill in the poort and had to be helped out to the hospital where he later died.

After the land surveyors consulting engineers stepped in. Kantey and Templer investigated the Buffelspoort route in considerable detail. It was realised that a high-standard surfaced road was needed and when the catchment area of the Buffels River was taken into consideration, there was no way in which the road could run along the narrow bed of the poort. Kantey’s designers thus had quite a long section where it was necessary to provide precast concrete brackets, as long as the width of the road, bolted to the rock face to keep the road above flood level. This obviously made for a very expensive construction and this caused the project to be shelved.

During the seventies the Department of Water Affairs investigated the possibility of a system of canals leading from the Floriskraal dam to the Ladismith farmers. It was decided against because of the adverse influence it would have had on the flora and fauna. After the Laingsburg flood in 1981, it was realised the no road through Buffelspoort could stand up to bad floods, making sure that Buffelspoort, was well as being classified as ‘one of the passes which never were’, can be also be classified as ‘a pass that will never be’.

Buffelspoort is an absolute pristine wilderness area and has been declare a Nature Heritage area. The impressive S-shaped poort with 600 m high spectacular folded rock formations was formed by the Buffels River carving its way through the mountain. Although the poort was apparently completely stripped of vegetation and utterly devastated during the 1981 flood, is has undoubtedly reinstated itself in the interim – nature has amazing healing abilities.

It is said that leopard still appear here, as well as the fish and black eagle. Approximately 110 bird species have been identified in the Poort and 5 different species of fish appear in the pools. Flora includes mountain fynbos as well as populations of endangered species, ie Nerina persii, Gasteria angustiarum and the protea Aristata .

THE BEST Things to Do in Ladismith

Things to do in ladismith.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Seweweekspoort

2. Tourist Information Ladismith

3. Karoo Vine

4. Gypsy's Gin Bar

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Anysberg Nature Reserve Self Catering and Campsite, Ladismith

For updated information and for making online bookings visit the capenature online booking portal here ..

Enjoy the wide open space under a canopy of glittering stars – Anysberg Nature Reserve is located in the semi-arid Klein Karoo, between the towns of Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu. The reserve officially proclaimed in 1990, encompasses 79 629 hectares of plains and the majestic Cape Fold Mountains, with deep valleys and steep gorges. Fed by three rivers, a diversity of life is supported here amid mountain fynbos and the characteristic veld of the Klein Karoo. It is also a World Heritage Site.

Visitors will enjoy regular sightings of the Cape mountain zebra, numerous antelope species, the black-backed jackal, caracal, riverine rabbit and brown hyena. Leopards still roam the mountains, although these notoriously shy creatures are seldom seen. About 180 bird species are regularly spotted on the reserve, making it a popular choice for birders. Besides the mesmerising landscape and rich plant and animal life, the reserve is also home to San rock art, painted thousands of years ago.

Cape Natures's Anysberg Nature Reserve

Accommodation

Self-catering – Tapfontein has four Wendy houses: Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Gemini. Each sleeps two people in single beds, and has a small veranda furnished with table and chairs.

Camping – Anysberg Campsites

• Hiking and Walking
• Horse Riding
• Anysberg 4×4 Park Tour

Anysberg Nature Reserve Conservation

The majestic proteas and multitude of succulents provide a beautiful backdrop to the sounds of 180 bird species here.

Anysberg Nature Reserve was founded to conserve endemic vegetation and to gradually reintroduce the game species that traditionally inhabited the region. Vegetation comprises Cape mountain fynbos and characteristic Klein Karoo veld. The majestic proteas and multitude of succulents provide a beautiful backdrop to the sounds of the 180 bird species that are regularly spotted here. Anysberg is also home to many types of buck, and jackals and caracals. Leopards still roam the mountains, but they are rarely seen.

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Live Updates

View this post on Instagram National Water Week in South Africa is marked from 16 – 22 March to focus attention on the importance of water, one of South Africa's most limited resources. The theme for this year is Water for All. In the Western Cape, CapeNature manages the mountain catchment areas that provide the majority of clean, fresh drinking water across the province. #CapeNature #WaterWeek2020 A post shared by CapeNature (@capenature) on Mar 17, 2020 at 2:37am PDT

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