Accessible Cape Town

How many people could tell you what the “R” number is of the road leading from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth?

It is, of course, the R62, but these days it is referred to as the much more upbeat “Route 62”.

An unabashed coning of the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, it is clever, and lingers in the mind.

It is certainly working well, if the number of European travellers we met across the B&B breakfast table, all eagerly unfolding their Route 62 maps, is anything to go by! Internet surfers will find Google returning over 210 results on the name, but why waste time searching? Go straight to www.route62.co.za.

About Route 62

In 1926 America’s Route 66 was established as an east-west artery and in much the same manner Route 62 provides an inland link between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

Partially sandwiched between the N1 to the North, and the N2 to the South, 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, Ceres, Wolseley and Tulbagh.

Ironically the lobbying for rapid mobility and improved highways that gave Route 66 its enormous popularity signalled its demise in the 1950's. Route 66 was replaced by a national highway, which caused a severe decrease in traffic. With the completion of the N2 highway in 1958, the R62 suffered the same fate.

But now, over 40 years later, Route 62 is being reborn as a shorter, more scenic alternative to the N2 highway.

What to do along Route 62

Route 62 is an area of magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora, all contributing to making the Breede River Valley and the Klein Karoo two of the Western Cape's most diverse regions.

The towns nestled along the valleys all offer ample opportunity for visits to wineries and game reserves, tribal art, cultural tours, museums and for the more adventurous: hiking trails and mountain climbing, 4x4 routes, canoeing, horse riding, even ostrich riding, fishing and caving.

Route 62 accommodation

We made a point of using B&B’s throughout our trip, finding them able to provide “home-from-home” hospitality, and a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Robertson

Our first morning from Cape Town took us straight to Robertson to replenish the wine stocks!

See my other article for more information about the Robertson Wine Valley.

Swellendam

Six farms later, with lighter wallets, and the “business” portion of the trip taken care of, we kicked back into holiday mode and cruised up to Swellendam where Adin & Sharon Greaves and their famous Hideaway B&B were our hosts. These folks have won every hospitality award there is, and their Hideaway really is as good as a B&B can get.

Oudtshoorn

Our next stop, Oudtshoorn, was an eye-opener! The first B&B in Oudtshoorn was started fifteen years ago by Bisibee's Isabe Fourie in an effort to assist parents of SANDF recruits doing their national service outside the town. It can now, during peak festival periods, boast of an incredible 300 B&Bs!

This town is organised, and switched on to the tourism industry, with plenty of restaurants to cater to all those B&B beds, excellent signage, and a cross-section of attractions to keep all family members occupied and interested.

Swartberg Pass & Meiringspoort

As a round day trip we took off for the beautiful Meiringspoort, on to Prince Albert, returning through the awesome Swartberg Pass. I don’t use that last adjective lightly. Best driven on a good day, it is not for those afraid of heights, but my goodness, what a sight from “Die Top”!

Meiringspoort is a city dwellers SeweWeekspoort: stunning rock faces and changes of light and shadow, but with a good tar road underfoot. Indeed Route 62 may be known as the “Longest Wine Route in the World”, but it could also be known as the “Route of Mountain Passes” for there is some incredible geological scenery on display.

Prince Albert

Another wake-up call came from the little town of Prince Albert. This centre for olives and mohair, with its single main road, is no sleepy backwater, highlighted by “Sampie Se Plaastal” which is open from seven to seven, seven days a week! ... Now, to get the Robertson wineries to remain open for more than just a Saturday morning!

Ceres & Tulbagh

Our return journey brought us home through Ceres and Tulbagh. At the Klondyke Cherry Farm outside Ceres we teamed up with some friends and turned an afternoon’s picnic under the trees into a cherry picking session, or was it visa versa? Needless to say, anyone joining us for supper in the next six months only gets one guess what is for dessert!

Tulbagh is best enjoyed on foot, leaving the car at one of the restaurants after a good meal, and walking off the excesses in the tree lined streets. Historical Church Street is the focal point, but I have to ask why the town fathers saw fit to tar it when a tasteful brick paving would have worked like a charm?

Further information

The sights to see and places to visit are far too many to list in this article, a testimony to the wealth of opportunity within the region, but the websites, or the mailed tourism brochures will provide you with plenty of ideas.

Websites:

• www.route62.co.za
• www.breederivervalley.co.za

Or contact the following tourism bureaux for a mailed brochure:

• Breede River Valley Tourism Board (Worcester), +27 23 347 6411
• Klein Karoo Regional Tourism Board (Oudtshoorn), +27 44 322 2241