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Klein Karoo
The Klein Karoo offers visitors an unusual and diverse landscape. It is also a lifestyle destination. Visitors to the region come here for quality and inspiration. A visitor may expect: ??Breathtaking scenery - One of our main attractions is our unspoilt natural environment. We have majestic mountain views - the Langeberg in the southwest, the red koppies at Calitzdorp, the Swartberg with its well-known pass near Oudtshoorn and the Outeniqua. To experience Klein Karoo veldt at its best.
Unique vegetation - The Klein Karoo houses three of the most important biomes that were identified as world hot spots, namely fynbos, thicket and succulent Karoo. Each of these important biomes houses at least 1 500 endemic species (more than in the whole of Europe) and most of these plants are extraordinary, special and unusual.
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Klein Karoo Wine Route
The Klein Karoo Wine Route in the Southern Cape is arguably the most diverse of South Africa's wine regions. It is the easternmost wine-producing region in the country, stretching along the Cape Route 62 from Montagu in the west to the Langkloof in the east.
The Klein Karoo is situated between spectacular mountain ranges, and its vines are mostly grown on the high slopes in the fertile alluvial soil along the riverbanks.
The climate is generally drier than that of the other wine regions, resulting in healthy vineyards, which are grown organically to a large extent.
Various microclimates enable Klein Karoo winemakers to produce a wide variety of quality wines, including dry wines, fortified wines and pot-stilled brandies. World-class Port and South Africa's champion Muscadel are specialties among the fortified wines produced here, along with a host of outstanding red and white wines, which vary from full-bodied cabernets to lighter styles for easy drinking.
More than just an excellent range of wines, the Klein Karoo Wine Route offers visitors its unique cuisine, the warmth and hospitality of its people, and the mystique of its landscape. The Klein Karoo Wine Route invites you to toast their variety.
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Route 62
The Route 62 is the tourist route in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa, that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, 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 an abundance of trees and indigenous flora - all contribute to make Paarl, Wellington, the Breede River Valley, Klein Karoo and Langkloof some of South Africa's most diverse regions.
The ever changing colors of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, as well as the multitude of attractions, will offer you an unforgettable adventure - whether this is in the physical sense or simply a kaleidoscope of scenic tranquility.
Cape Route 62 will take you along the longest wine route in the Western Cape and most likely the whole world. Innovation and pride, combined with a terrain and mild climate that are harmoniously balanced, results in the prominence of the outstanding wines on Cape Route 62.
The easily accessible towns, nestled along the valleys, all offer ample opportunity for discovery. From 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...
Cape Route 62 is an exciting experience, even for the well travelled. And when you are tired after a long day's travel, you can even unwind in one of the region's invigorating hot springs, revel in luxury or relax in rustic tranquility.
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, Rawsonville, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. It includes the Langkloof with the following towns; Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeel and Kareedouw.
Cape Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route, offers the visitor range upon range of striking mountain edifices. Andrew Bain and his son, Thomas Bain was the engineers and constructors of several of the mountain passes on Cape Route 62. Michell's Pass near Ceres, Bain's Kloof Pass near Wellington, Gydo Pass due north of Ceres up the Skurweberg, Tulbagh Kloof (after the town of Tulbagh), Prince Alfred's Pass (after Prince Alfred) from Knysna to Uniondale, Tradouw Pass near Barrydale, Garcia's Pass from Riversdale to Ladismith, Cogmans Kloof, from Ashton to Montagu and Swartberg Pass from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert.
What make Cape Route 62 really special is the calm and peacefulness that it offers travelers. The route is safe so adventurers need not be concerned about their personal security. The people on Cape Route 62 are another alluring attraction. They are friendly and eager to both assist and entertain passing travelers.
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Montagu
Montagu lies in the western corner of die Klein Karoo with its unique rural atmosphere distinguishes Montagu as one of the best-preserved late Victorian agricultural villages in the Cape. Because of the mountains surrounding the town, Montagu is ideal for all mountain related-sport and activities. |
Barrydale
Barrydale's main attraction is the tranquility of the town and the surrounding flora. Barrydale is situated in transitional veldt on the northern opening of the Tradouws pass leading through the Langeberg mountain range. The mountain range on the south of the town has fynbos vegetation, while the area north of the town is the beginning of the winter rainfall succulent Karoo.
For the most energetic there are hiking trails, walks through pristine fynbos, bird watching and freshwater angling. The village is ideally situated for day trips into the surrounding countryside where there are a number of spectacular mountain passes waiting to be explored.
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