SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - A day trip of less than 200km is the ideal outing to experience the people and beauty of the Klein Karoo.
A circular route from Oudtshoorn will lead you through De Rust, Meiringspoort, Klaarstroom, Prince Albert and back home via the spectacular Swartberg Pass, which is the only stretch of gravel road on your day trip.
It is 20km long, but in a fairly good condition for slow driving in a normal sedan. This road should however not be tackled with large campers or towing a caravan. The day trip can be done in either direction, but doing it via De Rust first is more practical and the end is more scenic. If you do it the other way round, you will be heading directly into the setting sun between De Rust and Oudtshoorn.
OUDTSHOORN TO DE RUST (35 KM)
Visit De Rust for breakfast at one of the restaurants or coffee shops. The town also has arts and craft shops and galleries along the main road, which means you can park and stroll. You can of course choose to pack a picnic basket or buy a snack in the village and enjoy it at your next stop in Meiringspoort.
DE RUST TO MEIRINGSPOORT (5 KM)
The road winds for 25km through the magnificent Meiringspoort with its towering cliffs and meandering river. There are several picnic sites with clean ablution facilities. The one near the waterfall is the most popular. Getting to the waterfall requires a steep but safe walk of about 300m.
MEIRINGSPOORT TO KLAARSTROOM (10 KM)
Klaarstroom is the iconic one-horse town with one street, one hotel, one shop and interesting people. One of them is well-known fi lm maker Koos Roets. Pop into the hotel for a coffee before setting off to Prince Albert.
KLAARSTROOM TO PRINCE ALBERT (52 KM)
Be on the lookout for the turn-off to Prince Albert on the left a few kilometers past Klaarstroom. If you miss it, you will end up in Beaufort West!
Prince Albert is the ideal place for lunch and one needs some time here.
PRINCE ALBERT TO OUDTSHOORN (70 KM) - NO CARAVANS OR LARGE CAMPERS
The last leg of your journey takes you over the spectacular and twisting Swartberg Pass, a gravel road just over 20km long. Drive slowly and beware of oncoming traffic as the road is extremely narrow in some places. On your way to the summit you will see a turn-off to Gamkaskloof. Although the sign says it is only about 50km, don't take it unless you are in a 4x4 and plan on spending the night in Gamkaskloof, as the trip there could take up to three hours and the road is not suitable for normal vehicles. After the pass the tar road leads past the Cango Caves and through Schoemanspoort to Oudtshoorn.
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