Cape Town’s Route 62

The Cape Route 62 is one of the most well-known routes in South Africa.

Modelled after the iconic US Route 66, it meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth and offering picturesque views. Cape Route 62 is much preferred by tourists who not only bask in the splendour of the route but also find plenty of things to do along this panoramic route.

Cape Route 62 makes its way through an area of breath-taking landscapes, towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and luxuriant vegetation, an abundance of trees and indigenous flora-all contribute to make Paarl, Wellington, the Breede River Valley, Klein Karoo and Langkloof some of South Africa's most diverse regions.

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The road follows winding and spectacular mountain passes that slowly unfold before your eyes, leading to lush green valleys hosting crystal streams and framed by the distorted geological shapes and colours of rock faces dating from hundreds of millions of years ago.

The ever changing colours of the majestic mountains, striking passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards and the wide range of attractions will offer you a memorable and remarkable adventure - whether this is in the physical sense or simply a sense of serenity away from all hustle and bustle.

Cape Route 62 takes you along the longest wine route in the Western Cape and is reputed as the longest in the whole world as well. Indeed, the notable vineyards on Cape Route 62 are the results of modernity and a deeply rooted culture combined with great fertile soil and mild climate which are all harmoniously balanced.

The towns nestle along the valleys, are easily accessible and offer ample opportunity for discovery. These towns offer a multitude of things to do from visits to wineries and game reserves, tribal art, cultural tours, museums among others. For the more adventurous, hiking trails and mountain climbing, 4x4 routes, canoeing, horse riding, even ostrich riding, fishing and caving are all available.

Cape Route 62 is an exciting experience, even for the well-travelled. And when you are tired after a long day's travel, you can even unwind in one of the region's rejuvenating hot-springs, revel in luxury or relax in rustic tranquillity.

This scenic route passes through farming towns such as Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Robertson, McGregor, Worcester,Rawsonville, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. It includes the Langkloof with the following towns: Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeel, Joubertina and Kareedouw.

Cape Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route, offers the visitor range upon range of striking mountain edifices. Andrew Bain and his son, Thomas Bain was the engineers and constructors of several of the mountain passes on Cape Route 62 such as Michell's Pass near Ceres, Bain's Kloof Pass near Wellington, Tulbagh Kloof (after the town of Tulbagh), Prince Alfred's Pass (after Prince Alfred), Tradouw Pass near Barrydale, Garcia's Pass from Riversdale to Ladismith, Cogmans Kloof, from Ashton to Montagu and Swartberg Pass from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert.

What make Cape Route 62 really special is the sense of calm that it offers travellers. The route is safe and travellers need not worry much about their personal security. The people on Cape Route 62 adds to the charm of the place. They are friendly and eager to both assist and entertain passing travellers.

Those who have traversed the twists and turns of Cape Route 62 return time and time again and affirm that it is the road that provides them with the most inspiring adventures.