South Africa - Franschhoek

Franschhoek South Africa - a week-end escape! Although, to be fair a week-end in this scenic town is never enough. With so many restaurants to choose from, bike trails, hiking trails, far too much wine tasting for just one week-end via the Wine Tram, beer tasting, shopping, cultural experiences ...the list goes on.

Just enjoy the beauty all around of this stunning valley - it's beautiful in all seasons.

We enjoyed wine tasting at La Lude and Plaiser de Merle - both exceptional with lunch next to a roaring fire at Rickety Bridge.

Franschhoek South Africa

Plaiser de Merle Franschhoek South Africa

Franschhoek South Africa

Berg River Dam Franschhoek South Africa

Backsberg Cellars Franschhoek South Africa

Road to Berg River Dam Franschhoek South Africa

Vineyards in Franschhoek South Africa

Heading up the Franschhoek Pass South Africa

Franschhoek South Africa

Franschhoek South Africa

La Lude Franschhoek South Africa

La Lude Franschhoek South Africa

Franschhoek South Africa

a Wet Day in Franschhoek South Africa!

Winter's Day Franschhoek South Africa

Plaiser de Merle Franschhoek South Africa

Plaiser de Merle Franschhoek South Africa

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass, Oudtshoorn

We recently enjoyed another mountain pass of South Africa - a round trip from Calitzdorp via Red Stone Hills,  Kruis River to Swartberg Pass and back again....
Gravel roads, Mazda CX 5 - a drive of incredible beauty and well worth a caked layer of dust on the vehicle !

We stopped at Kobus se Gat for a delicious breakfast - this is an ideal stop for breakfast, tea or lunch.
Crisp mountain air, glorious views and friendly service.

About 13 kms from Calitzdorp, you  turn off left to Kruis River and the Nels River Valley which emerges at the junction of the R328 to the Cango Caves and Swartberg Pass. At this point, turn right for Oudtshoorn or left if you would like to go to Prince Albert.

We only went to the top of the pass this time as we had visited Prince Albert on another trip.
Meeting folk at stopping points on the mountain is always a treat - one such couple were from Swansea, Wales and had been enjoying a full month of travel in South Africa. Hearing foreigners raving about our beloved country is very heart-warming and just reinforces the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries on the planet. 
 

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Mountains South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to SWartberg Pass South Africa

Round trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

Round Trip Calitzdorp to Swartberg Pass South Africa

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Rooiberg Pass - Route 62 Calitzdorp

Rooiberg Pass South Africa

 

Route 62 Calitzdorp

We love exploring the little known mountain passes of South Africa.

The Rooiberg Pass links Calitzdorp with Van Wyksdorp.

We travelled in a Mazda CX 5 - it was a bone shaking ride but so worth it for the tremendous mountain views. Just be aware that this is a very narrow road and there are not many places to turn around!

"The Rooiberg Pass was built in 1928 most probably under the supervision of the Divisional Council of Oudtshoorn. It joins the tiny village of Van Wyksdorp with Calitzdorp over the Rooiberg Mountain. This is not a pass to be trifled with and although it can be driven in a normal car, a high clearance vehicle would be better. It is also a long pass at 14 km and contains some fairly rough sections. There are a total of 69 bends, corners and curves which include 6 hairpins and many other bends with a turning radius in excess of 90 degrees. It's a road for the less hurried traveller and offers wonderful views on both the northern and southern sides with valleys and ridges bedecked in fynbos and in winter you'll be treated to the sight of the bright orange flowers of hundreds of thousands of flowering aloes.
The pass has an altitude variance of 509m over a distance of 14 km producing an average gradient of 1:27 with the steepest parts measuring in at 1:7. All these considered, it is one you simply have to drive at least once in your life."

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp Route 62 South Africa

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp South Africa

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp South Africa

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp South Africa

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp South Africa

Rooiberg Pass Calitzdorp South Africa

Groenfontien Conservation area Calitzdorp South Africa

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com