04 Ladismith Riversdal Stilbaai Mossel Bay
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 Riversdale and Stilbaai to Mossel Bay on the coast. It's a beautiful 230-kilometer drive on paved roads with a scenic pass. You'll enjoy the stunning panoramas.
For those who are more adventurous and want to drive to Mossel Bay via unpaved roads, there's another route from Ladismith via Vanwyksdorp and Herbertsdale to Mossel Bay. The unpaved route (04A Ladismith Vanwyksdorp Herbertsdale Mossel Bay Adventure) is also included in the RouteXpert library; the link can be found in this review.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop along the route and enjoy the beautiful views. A visit to Riversdale and Stilbaai for lunch is planned.
Enjoy this beautiful ride which I rate with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
7h 37m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
230.14 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review We drive over the 11.7 km long Garcia's Pass, through the Garcia Nature Reserve. The pass has a long history dating back to before 1860. It connects Ladismith with Riversdale and, along with the Tradouw Pass, contributed significantly to the expansion of trade into the interior during the pioneering days of the settlers in the 1820s.
Garcia's Pass is a beautiful drive year-round, especially the upper portion of the plateau, where the road gently winds between the hills and follows the course of the Vet River. The road is well-maintained and has a good safety record. It is suitable for all vehicles.
We'll visit Riversdale, a charming town in the Hessequa region of the Western Cape, which invites you to explore. Surrounded by the picturesque Langeberg Mountains, with Sleeping Beauty Mountain as its sentinel, Riversdale serves as a central hub for nearby farming communities and coastal towns like Witsand and Stilbaai. The town's history dates back to its founding on Doornkraal Farm, named after Harry Rivers, and its official incorporation on August 30, 1838.
Riversdale is more than just a stopover; it's a town brimming with local pride, thanks to the "I Am Local" movement. This initiative supports local businesses, fosters community spirit, and boosts the local economy. Some great stops include:
Our Meul Bakery
What began as a small, local gem has become a beloved stop in the Western Cape. It's the perfect place to pause during your journey and enjoy a warm, hearty meal. You can soak up the friendly, relaxed atmosphere and experience a slice of South African hospitality you won't want to miss.
Old Jail and Coffee Shop
Step into a piece of Riversdale history. This landmark, built in 1838, became a functioning jail in 1860 after the state took it over. Later, the Malherbe family transformed it into a beloved spot for both locals and visitors. Today, you can enjoy a delicious slice of carrot cake or a light meal surrounded by jail cells. The Old Jail also features a replica of the gallows, which was used only once in Riversdale's history.
Julius Gordon Africana Museum
The Julius Gordon Africana Centre, also known as Versfeld House, is a hidden gem in Riversdale. Founded in 1880, it houses the second-largest collection of Thomas Bowler paintings in South Africa. The museum showcases works by local artists Jan Volschenk and Johannes Meintjes, along with pieces by Irma Stern, Maggie Loubser, and others. Besides art, the centre also displays Khoisan rock paintings, ancient stone tools, and regional Africana furniture. It offers a glimpse into the area's rich history, with artifacts dating back more than 130,000 years. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Admission is free.
As we leave Riversdal, you can buy wine, olive oil, or coffee from the Baleia Winery and olive groves at the small shop on the N2. This wine and olive oil producer is located near St. Sebastian Bay, known as South Africa's whale breeding ground. Inspired by the Mediterranean climate and their love of food and exquisite wine, the Joubert family has been producing the Baleia range of premium wines and olive oils since 2009.
We continue our journey to Stilbaai, where you can have lunch. For this, we leave the N-2 and take the R305 to Stilbaai. Along the way, you can stop at the Anglo-Boer War Monument alongside the road. This monument was erected to commemorate the centenary of a significant battle. On September 12, 1901, Jan Theron (a Boer commander) led his troops to meet the District Mounted Troops and the Riversdale Town Guards (commanded by Lieutenant Smalberger). This was the southernmost Anglo-Boer War ever fought in South Africa. It was a devastating war that claimed the lives of many European and African soldiers and their families. But the war remains an integral part of South African identity and a significant part of history. The war has profoundly influenced today's society, which boasts a vibrant mix of languages, cultures, and colors, making South Africa one of the most delightfully diverse countries in the world.
We'll stop in Stilbaai for lunch. Stilbaai is a beautiful, very popular, and rapidly growing seaside town at the western gateway to the Cape Garden Route. It lies on the banks of the picturesque Goukou River estuary, where it flows into the warm Indian Ocean on South Africa's southern coast. Today, Stilbaai is a surfing hotspot thanks to its beautiful beaches and fantastic weather. Of course, it's also a fantastic place to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the stunning views the beautiful Western Cape has to offer. Stilbaai's popularity as a top tourist destination continues to grow, and a variety of high-quality accommodations are available. The shallow bay and clean, sandy beaches make Stilbaai the perfect holiday destination. After lunch, you can explore the town further if you wish.
From Stilbaai, it's approximately a 95-kilometer drive to Mossel Bay, the end of this scenic drive. Along the way, you can stop for fuel and a short break in Albertinia. Albertinia is known as the "Home of the Aloe," as the indigenous Aloe ferox (or Cape Aloe) grows abundantly in this arid region. The bitter sap from the leaves is used for various purposes in the health and cosmetics industries. The medicinal properties of aloe for both humans and animals were discovered long ago. Albertinia is the only place in South Africa where aloe sap and gel are extracted, and part of this is sent to the village factory where skincare products are made. For more information about aloe's benefits, including the benefits of aloe, visit the House of Aloes. To see the Aloe ferox in bloom, visit Albertinia during the South African winter (June-July).
From Albertinia, we drive to Mossel Bay. 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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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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