Further Reading

Monday, 3 March 2008

Route 62

Cape Route 62 is the tourist route in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa, that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, along the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth, offering the shorter, scenic alternative to the N2 highway.

It's an area of magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and the abundance of trees and indigenous flora - all contribute to make Paarl and Wellington, the Breede River Valley, the Klein Karoo and the Langkloof some of South Africa's most diverse regions. 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, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. It includes the Langkloof with the following towns; Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeel and Kareedouw.

Claimed to be the longest wine route in the world, Route 62 includes the wine cellars and estates of Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.

Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route, offers the visitor range upon range of striking mountain edifices. Thomas Bain was the engineer and constructor of several of the mountain passes on Route 62 - Cogmans Pass, Tulbaghkloof (Nuwekloof Pass), Prince Alfred Pass, Garcia Pass, Tradouw Pass and the famous Swartberg Pass.


Quite eerie perhaps ... Kristine receiving an insight today ... 'route 62 and red tape to be cut' ... and when route 62 is researched its in South Africa. Shades of Lesotho or pure coincidence?