Cape Route 62

		Accommodation Hunter Member \| South Africa

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Cape Route 62

18 September 2009	Things to do
Cape Route 62 is a stretch of road that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth, with a liberal helping of wine farms, and breath tacking views. Come explore South Africa :)

The Cape Route 62
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 Soutn Arifa's most diverse regions. The ever changing colours 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.

The easily accesible 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. 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.

Cape Route 62 prompts associations with the legendary byway, Route 66, connecting the urban and rural communities between Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1926 the inter regional link, Route 66, between Chicago and Los Angeles, was established as one of America's main east-west arteries, providing small towns access to a major national throughfare. In the same manner Cape Route 62 links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. 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, Rawsonville, Worcester, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. It includes the Langkloof with the following towns; Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeel, Joubertina and Kareedouw.

Ironically, the public lobby, for rapid mobility and improved highways, that gave Route 66 it's enormous popularity in earlier decades also signaled its demise beginning in the mid 1950's. Route 66 was replaced by a national highway, which caused a severe decrease in traffic. This greatly affected the smaller towns' economy along the route, whose survival depended on the vast majority of travellers. With the completion of the N2 highway in 1958, Cape Route 62 suffered the same fate. Even though the villages on this route have been in hibernation for more than 40 years, they have been beautifully preserved - they are all situated in very wealthy farming communities.

Cape Route 62 Wine Routes
Route 62 meanders through some of South Africa's most fertile valleys. Thus it is no surprise to have South Africa's leading wine regions on this route. The Breede River gives life to the Robertson Wine Valley and also to the Worcester Wine Valley. Against the backdrop of the harsh and unforgiving climate of the Klein Karoo it is still surprising to find the Klein Karoo Wine Route. A newer attraction, the R62 Brandy Route is also situated here. Together these wine valleys produce some of South Africa's finest wines and brandy ~ an experience not to be missed by any wine lover.

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