Swellendam Malgas Witsand Barrydale Ladismith ADVENTURE
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 26-08-2025
Route Summary We'll drive on unpaved roads through the beautiful nature reserves in this part of South Africa and over the stunning Tradouw Pass. You'll enjoy the stunning panoramas. For those who don't want to drive on unpaved roads, there's an alternative route from Swellendam via Barrydale to Ladismith. This route is also included in the MRA Library, and the link is included in this review.
Stops are planned along the route, such as in Malgas to visit a vineyard and in Barrydale along Route 62. You can also relax in Witsand and optionally split the route into two days to visit the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, where you can hike and mountain bike.
Enjoy this beautiful ride which I rate with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
9h 21m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
241.52 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review We leave Swellendam and head south, passing Bontebok National Park, the smallest national park in the Western Cape. The bontebok was nearly wiped out by overhunting, with only 30 remaining when the decision was made in 1931 to establish a national park and protect them. A herd of approximately 200 bontebok now lives in the park.
We take the unpaved N2 towards Malgas, a settlement on the right bank of the Breede River in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. The name is likely an adaptation of the Portuguese "mangas de velludo," "velvet sleeves," referring to the Cape gannet with its black-spotted wings. Separately, "mal gas" translates directly from Afrikaans (Dutch) as "mad gas" or "crazy gas." Before entering Malgas, you can take a short break at Grunters Restaurant and Pub. You can also buy some provisions or a souvenir at the Breede Rivier Trading Post.
In Malgas, we visit Sijnn Wines, a beautiful, groundbreaking winery in the middle of nowhere, founded by David and Rita Trafford in 2000. They offer tours and wine tastings. If you'd like to do this, you can stay overnight in one of the hotels nearby. More information can be found on the Sijnn Wines website, which is included in this review.
We leave Malgas via the free ferry across the Breede River and take the R324 to the coastal village of Witsand, where the Breede River flows into the ocean, in the Witsand Nature Reserve. This is an exceptional eco-destination with a fascinating combination of geological and climatic conditions that cause the desert sand to roar. This natural attraction is one of the Green Kalahari's best-kept secrets. You'll find a wide variety of birds in this reserve, as well as all sorts of other wildlife native to the dry region.
We'll stop at The Anchorage Beach Restaurant and Bar in Witsand, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch with a beautiful view of the stunning coastline.
From Witsand, we take the R322 north through the flatter part of the Western Cape. We drive past fields and small lakes. After about 25 kilometers, we leave the asphalt and take a dirt road towards Slangrivier.
After about 23 kilometers, at the T-junction of the R322, you can turn right to visit the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. It was originally known as Melkhoutskraal.
The Grootvadersbosch nature reserve encompasses 250 hectares of native forest in the Langeberg region, near Heidelberg. The name means "great father" and honors Roelof Oelofse, who owned the land in 1723. It has only been a reserve since 1986 and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Visitors to this beautiful reserve can enjoy the opportunity to venture into the forest for day hikes and mountain bike rides. It's an excellent destination for birdwatchers, with over 196 bird species regularly spotted. Hikers are likely to encounter bushbuck and spot baboons, smaller mammals, butterflies, and frogs during their treks.
The Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve has a magical, fairytale-like atmosphere, so it's definitely worth a visit. You can stay overnight at the campsites or in a log cabin.
We leave the R322 and take the R324 towards Barrydale. Now things really start to get interesting as we drive over the beautiful Tradouw Pass, which means "Women's Path." The road is excellent, with many bends and beautiful views. The Tradouw River flows along the entire mountain pass, and waterfalls cascade down the rocks.
The Tradouw Pass is named after Joseph Barry, a 19th-century trader, and forms part of the route connecting Barrydale to the other side of the mountains and the villages of Suurbraak and Swellendam. The road reopened in 1980 after renovations and offers several stops for tourists, such as Drupkelder, Piekniekbos, and Suurplaat. There are many places where you can safely stop to enjoy the view. Be sure to stop at the Drupkelder, a cave with a waterfall. The clear spring water is potable, so you can fill your water bottles.
We'll visit the town of Barrydale, located on scenic Route 62, where we'll refuel and take a break at Diesel & Creme, a vintage diner and motel (The Karoo Moon Motel), where you can enjoy delicious food. You'll be welcomed by friendly staff in a beautiful, mouthwatering vintage setting. Diesel & Creme is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
We continue our drive along scenic Route 62, with stunning views. Enjoy the last 75 kilometers to our final destination, Ladismith, a village with an architectural style that originated around 1830. This so-called Ladismith style is a simplified representation of Georgian architecture from England. You can also see buildings in Gothic Revival, Victorian, and Edwardian styles, among others. Take a stroll through Ladismith and admire the diverse architecture. There are several hotels and B&Bs available for overnight stays.
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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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