Karoo Mountains Of South Africa

A River Runs through it, yes, that would be the Groot Rivier. A Mountain runs through it is just as true, and that would have to be the Groot Swartberge (the Great Black Mountains).
This magnificent and dominant mountain range runs roughly East West across
a considerable section of the Eastern Karoo and divides the Karoo into the
Groot Karoo and the Klein Karoo. The impenetrable stature of the Grootswartberge
provides few mountain passes and in fact only two passages to the North have
been possible. Both these mountain passes rate among the top South African
Mountain Passes and are worth a visit. The famous Meiringspoort Pass connects
De Rust to the Groot Karoo. This magnificent Karoo Mountain pass has a splendid
history from the early days of mule and donkey track transport. Situated on one
of the main routes to the coast and Garden Route, Meiringspoort rates as one of
he most visited Mountain Passes of South Africa and consequently the Swartberg
is one of the most prominent Karoo Mountains of South Africa.

The story and origins of the Meiringspoort Pass are well displayed in the small
museum and info center at the pass. Adjacent to the info center is a
spectacular mountain waterfall which thunders into a cauldron of spray and
foam. In the wetter winter months a stop in Meiringspoort can only be described
as memorable.

To the West the Swartberg Pass is equally famous. It is the only road to Die
Hell from the Klein Karoo and has an equally interesting history. In winter the
Swartberg Pass is often closed due to severe snow conditions and is probably
one of South Africa’s most spectacular mountain passes. On the Groot Karoo side
of the pass the road to Die Hell presents one of the Karoo’s most treasured and
intriguing destinations. The small and secluded mountain settlement of Die Hell
is one of the Karoo’s most interesting stories. A small group of nomadic
farmers with their heards found this well watered valley with lush grazing and
rich soil and decided to settle for a while. One hundred years later the Die
Hell community were discovered in their secluded mountain hideout. Without
knowing it, they had transcended two world wars with almost no contact with the
outside world. The dirt road down to Die Hell is arguably the most talked about
country road in South Africa. A visit to Die Hell can be done as a day trip
from Oudtshoorn over the Swartberg Pass.

Shielding Oudtshoorn from the Garden Route and the sea in the South is the
mighty Outeniqua Mountains. The Outeniqua Pass starts almost in the town of
George and rises spectacularly up and over the Outeniquas.The transition from
mountain fynbos to dry Karoo and ostrich farms is spectacular. Also be prepared
for a spectacular rise in temperature. Oudtshoorn consistently delivers
temperatures well above 30 deg in summer and often reaches the 40deg mark.
Welcome to Oudtshoorn, you are now in ostrich country.

The Great Swartberg range runs west of Oudtshoorn past Ladismith where it
becomes the Klein Swartberg. The notorious Towerkop at Ladismith is part of
this range. The story goes that once there was a witch in the town and after
much harrassment by the locals the witch escaped on her broom which struck the
top of the mountain creating the distinctive split. As one travels below, the
split changes shape giving the mountain an element of magic, hence the name,
Towerkop.

Between Calitzdorp and Ladismith is the only other pass through the Swartberge
connecting the Klein Karoo with the Groot Karoo in the north. Seweweekspoort is
one of the most spectacular mountain routes in South Africa. Much has been
written about this pass and the granduous mountain terrain which threatens to
engulf one as you pass within meters of sheer vertical rock faces which twist
and bend skyward. First time visitors are forced to stop in awe and disbelief
that a road could actually be built through a terrain as rugged as this. This
could also be the source of the name as speculation has it that a wagon took
seven weeks to make the journey through this pass before the present road was
completed in 1862. It is still much the same today.

The Langeberge essentially divide the Klein Karoo from the coastal areas of the
Southern regions of the Western Cape. Starting at Riviersonderend, the
Langeberge stretch adjacent to the coast as far eastward as Mossel Bay. The N2
route passes on the South side from Caledon to the Garden Route in the East.
From the N2 the Klein Karoo can be accessed via various passes over the
Langeberge. Tradouw Pass is arguably the most spectacular. From the N2 follow
the road through Zuurbraak to Barrydale. There are a few stop areas overlooking
the trecherous gorge below. The scenery is fantastic.

From Riversdale the R323 crosses the Langeberge over the Garcia Pass which is
shorter than the Tradouw Pass but just as beautiful. From Mossel Bay to Van
Wyk’s Dorp the Cloetes Pass also crosses the Langeberge. A lesser known pass
which is less spectacular as the Langeberge start flattening out as it nears
the start of the mighty Outeniqua range near George. Table Mountain is
undoubtedly South Africa’s most iconic mountain and among Capetonians, the
Cedarberg is probably second on the list. This towering range of jagged
mountain rock runs northward from the Swartland into the dry arid regions of
the North West Cape. The Pakhuis Pass from Clanwilliam over the Cedarberg leads
to the most Northern Regions of the Karoo also known as the Hantam, a Khoikhoi
word for an edible root which grows there. East of the Cedarber lies the Great
Karoo. A vast area covering almost all of the heartland of South Africa. Within
this vast central Karoo region is the Roggeveldberge and Numeveldberge, beyond
which is Calvinia and the Northern extremity of the Karoo known as the Hantam
Karoo.

Not only does a mountain run through it, but the mountains define it. Karoo
mountains provide the frame for the picture which is the Karoo.

Thomas Bains spent almost all his life in the mid 1800′s building 22 mountain
passes around the Cape, and most of these are still to be seen in the Karoo
today. Thomas Bains mountain passes are in themselves tourist attractions in
the Karoo.

The mountains cut off the moisture laden clouds from the coast. The rains
predominantly fall on the coastal slopes of the mountains leaving dry, hot and
arid conditions to prevail inland.

The Karoo has had to dig deep to produce it’s own beauty, and so it has. All
who have travelled the Karoo agree that once you have travelled the karoo, you
will love it forever.