04A Ladismith Vanwyksdorp Herbertsdale Mossel Bay Adventure
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 15-12-2025
Route Summary This is a scenic drive from Ladismith via Vanwyksdorp and Herbertsdale to Mossel Bay on the coast. It's a beautiful drive of over 180 kilometers, mostly on unpaved roads with challenging passes. You'll enjoy the stunning panoramas.
Because this route is mostly on unpaved or gravel roads, a suitable motorcycle, quad bike, or 4x4 is recommended. Some experience driving on these types of roads is essential. For those less adventurous or preferring to avoid unpaved roads, there's another route from Ladismith via Riversdal and Stilbaai to Mossel Bay. The unpaved route (04 Ladismith Riversdal Stilbaai Mossel Bay) is also included in the RouteXpert library; the link can be found in this review.
Along the route, there are opportunities to stop and enjoy the beautiful views. Visits are planned for the picturesque villages of Vanwyksdorp and Herbertsdale, as well as two lovely vineyards.
Enjoy this beautiful ride which I rate with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
7h 14m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
180.90 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review After about 10 kilometers, we leave the R62 and take the unpaved R327, passing the Rooiberg Nature Reserve, to Vanwyksdorp, a small rural village with about 800 inhabitants, many of whom are laborers working on the surrounding farms. Vanwyksdorp is a cultural melting pot untouched by the hustle and bustle of modern city life. In contrast, there's a tranquility, where time seems to stand still. This picturesque village has a unique charm, a warm character, and friendly residents. Take your time to explore this village.
About 27 kilometers from Vanwyksdorp, we stop at the world-famous JP Bredell winery. From the moment you drive up the winding, unpaved road to the wine cellar and tasting room, you'll feel like you're on a farm. It has such a relaxed atmosphere, and although the tasting is relaxed, all the energy on this farm is dedicated to crafting their award-winning red and port wines. They've been making port since 1933 and red wines since 1970. Be careful with alcohol!
We continue our journey and after about 14 kilometers, we cross the Jan Muller Pass. Note that this is a short, steep pass, with a steep descent and an even steeper climb over the Gouritz River via a low concrete bridge, also named after Jan Muller. The pass connecting Van Wyksdorp to Herbertsdale is a rough gravel road and quite short (3.6 km). It descends very steeply on the west side, then climbs again in a series of sharp hairpin bends. Part of the road is paved with rough concrete, providing good traction. This makes the road reasonably passable. You can stop briefly on both sides of the pass to take photos.
The next pass is Cloete's Pass, a mountain pass also known as Cloeteskraal Pass or Bergkloof, offering scenic views, flowering plants, and historic ruins of toll houses and blockhouses from the Anglo-Boer War.
We'll make a brief stop in Herbertsdale to stretch our legs. This historic village was founded before the Second Boer War on the Hemelrood farm, named after its owner, James Benton Herbert. The area is known for its witblits (South African moonlight) and its farmland.
We leave the R327 and drive along a gravel road to the Jakkalsvlei Vineyard, where we'll enjoy lunch at the Jakkalsvlei Restaurant. Experience the delicious offerings of Jakkalsvlei, where wine and gourmet food blend harmoniously. The Wijnhuis Restaurant is an oasis of delicious food and excellent service, offering everything that truly distinguishes a restaurant: innovative menus, attentive service, and exquisite wine. Enjoy the warm Jakkalsvlei hospitality!
We drive back to Herbertsdale to continue our journey to Mossel Bay on the R327. We cross the Du Plessis Pass, an easy, paved pass dating back to 1850, between Herbertsdale and Mossel Bay. This pass is 8.5 km long and features 13 pleasant bends. The pass begins among green fields on the banks of the Gouritz River. After the Du Plessis Pass, it's another 20 kilometers to Mossel Bay, the end of this beautiful drive.
The wonderful climate and beautiful surroundings have contributed to making Mossel Bay an attractive holiday destination. Situated on the waterfront and surrounded by the Outeniqua Mountains, Mossel Bay is a charming place in all seasons. It has grown from a small, quiet harbor town into a holiday village with miles of white beaches and many hiking trails. One of these trails is the St. Blaize Hiking Trail (12.5 km), which starts at the St. Blaize Caves, where you'll also find the St. Blaize Lighthouse, built in 1864. Besides being an important archaeological site, it's also a popular spot for whale and dolphin watching. Mossel Bay beach is a wonderful place to relax. Enjoy your stay in Mossel Bay.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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South Africa
About this region
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini; and it encloses Lesotho. Covering an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres (471,445 square miles), the country has over 62 million people. Pretoria is the administrative capital, while Cape Town, as the seat of Parliament, is the legislative capital. Bloemfontein has traditionally been regarded as the judicial capital. The largest and most populous city is Johannesburg, followed by Cape Town and the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa, Durban.
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
Read more on Wikipedia
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
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