While highways are often touted as the shortest route between two locations, that is not true of Route 62. This scenic route, meanders through country towns, farming areas, lush orchards and vineyards. Along the way there is beauty, history, and wildlife. Magnificent landscapes boasting arid semi-desert areas, crystal clear streams, nearly impenetrable forests, indigenous flora, stark mountains, and towering cliffs are all part of the tapestry through which Route 62 weaves its way.
But it’s not just visual delights which await the adventurous traveler. From Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, you can enjoy visits to wineries and game reserves, tribal art, cultural tours, and museums. If you need something more energetic and for the more adventurous you can scramble over hiking trails and mountains, bound over 4×4 routes, paddle along some of the rivers for canoeing in the country. Then there’s horse riding, ostrich farms, fishing and even spelunking (caving).
If that sounds too energetic there are unique small-town shops, restaurants, art galleries, tribal art, hot-springs, and museums which add depth and flavour to this creative, history-rich route.
It may seem as if the towns and small villages on Route 62 have been in hibernation for more than 40 years, like South African ‘Brigadoons’, they are wonderfully preserved. Situated in rich farming country, you will pass through towns such as Montagu with its thermal baths and fruit trees, popular hiking tows such as the historic Barrydale and Ladysmith, or former mission stations such as Zoar and Amalienstein and Calitzdorp, the centre of the South African Port wine production, and Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s Ostrich breeding capital. If you have to get lost between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth where better than the valley of wine and roses – Robertson.
Physically, Route 62 is shorter than the N2 highway, but it’s so beautiful and interesting that when you reach your destination, you may decide to turn around and do it all again.
Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the glistening Indian Ocean, this lush 200-kilometre stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth provides one of the world’s most spectacular drives.
National Geographic calls this ‘The Ultimate Road Trip’. Thanks to the almost miraculous collection of world-class beaches, shimmering lagoons and indigenous forests interspersed with both unusual, sometimes eccentric but always welcoming towns, and a scenic, ocean-hugging highway, the Garden Route is a must when it comes to planning a holiday that also has a number of creative and historic excursions. Not to mention the ultimate in water-based or four-wheeled adventures.
For those who like to explore, the many diversions that are almost overwhelming in their beauty, the revelations of culture and history, not to mention warm-hearted hospitality, could turn a four-day trip into a four-week one with ease.
If you start your journey in Cape Town then Mossel Bay, the western gateway to the fabled Garden Route, is a great place to stretch your legs. And by stretch, we mean stretch! A rugged 14km walk (one-way) along the coast from Cape St Blaize Lighthouse to Dana Bay.
Only 30mins from Mossell Bay is a section that alone would be worth the trip! The historic town of George. George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and history is everywhere. From the Slave Tree, an ancient English Oak planted by Landdrost van Kervel, to the King Edward VII Library, and the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the country. The Outeniqua Transport Museum which houses replicas of old stations, displays of locomotives and coaches will entrance every child, not to mention the train enthusiasts! Then there’s the Botanical Garden recognized by UNESCO for its immense biodiversity. It contains 20% of the entire African continent’s plant species. George is the perfect launching pad for exploring nearby thick forests of Wilderness, or the Seven Passes, the Forest Buzzard trail, the surrounding Outeniqua Mountains, with its canyons and high bridges.
If you’re a foodie then Knysna is the spot for you, especially its 10-day Oyster Festival in late June!
Into kayaking and exotic birds in their natural wetlands? Welcome to Wilderness. You’ll love it here.
Surfing under steep cliffs more your thing? Then Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as South African’s fondly refer to it, is calling! So are the breath-taking beaches, sandy coves, migrating whales and dolphins, as well as the seal colonies and perfect picnic spots of the Robberg Nature Reserve.
The Storms River destination is one of stunning beauty and drama! Whether you walk the spray misted wooden pathways, the swing bridge or take the boat into the crashing heart of the river itself, Storms River will live in your memory forever.
