Categories
Places to Go

Seweweekspoort

SeweweekspoortThe Great Karoo. Just after the turnoff to Amalienstein. You will find a gravel road that takes you into the Klein Swartberg and Seweweekspoort (seven weeks pass). This is undoubtedly one of the most unspoilt and naturally beautiful areas in the country with incredible scenery, rock formations that hold one spellbound, bright blue skies and mountain streams. If you’re a landscape photographer then this natural treasure, just off the R62, offers some incredible moments.

Seweweekspoort itself is a deep cleft in the rocks that is used as a pass by travellers and has been for years. Along the route you cross the river that winds its way through the valley, more than a couple of times. The pass links Route 62 to the farmers of the Koueveld. There’s a hiking trail through here that starts at Broad Acres Farm near Ladismith and takes one up to Seweweekspoort Peak, the highest peak in the Western Cape – a rather taxing two-day hike with an overnight in Seweweekspoort Peak Cave, or in a tent.

There are two dams you can visit in this part of the world – the Gamkapoort Dam with its incredible wilderness and quiet, and the Floriskraal Dam, on the Buffels River near Laingsburg. There is a dirt road that takes one from Floriskraal Dam to Prince Albert, the pretty little Karoo town that is definitely worth a stay for a weekend or more, especially as there are many delightful options for accommodation in Prince Albert. But the Seweweekspoort gravel road, a majestic wend in amongst the mountains of the area, is undoubtedly the star of the show. If you are on a motor bike, this part of the Karoo is filled with sand and gravel roads that take you in and along farms – great to explore, with incredible scenery.