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Tag:

swartberg pass

    South AfricaTravel

    The Beautiful Road to Hell

    by Jared February 3, 2019
    written by Jared
    * This artilce first appeared here on Getaway Magazine.

    Backs straining, and breath short, they slowly descend the steep valley side. A gasp as one of the donkeys loses its footing, but quickly corrects itself. Sweat is often mixed with blood on the treacherous almost two-day journey from home to the nearest civilization, only accessible via donkey and horseback.

    No one said the road to Hell would be an easy one.

    Decades ago a small band of hardy South Africans decided to find for themselves a secluded place in the vast country to make their home. 130 years later they decided to call it in, and all but two remained in what must be arguably one of South Africa’s most inaccessible, but also beautiful spots – Gamkaskloof.

    September was both heritage and tourism month in South Africa, and I  partnered with CapeNature to highlight some of their uniquely wild escapes in the country. Their dedication to nature conservation, sustainability and providing affordable nature getaways keeps me exploring their reserves.

    Getting to Gamkaskloof

    Gamkaskloof, known also as ‘Die Hel/The Hell’, lies at the very end of the road, and not just any road at that. One of the most spectacularly impressive series of mountain passes and backroads leads you to this remote location. It is named Die Hel because the Kloof is difficult to access, and also after the Dutch/Afrikaans word helling for incline. A 4×4 or high-clearance 4×2 is recommended for the wild drive in.

    I’d read and heard stories about the Kloof for years, often written or spoken about with awe for its natural beauty but also near inaccessibility. Worried that my car wouldn’t cut it, I called “Land Rover Cape Town” to see if they could help. Thankfully they were prepared to, and on the day of our trip, a raving-red Range Rover Velar was waiting for us. Now that I had a vehicle capable of taking me there, and three other travel writers in the car, I’d finally be making the infamous journey to Die Hel.

    Soon after Prince Albert, the legendary Swartberg Pass begins its climb, and we were gaping open-mouthed at every turn of this magnificent drive. Naturally, the Velar was having the time of her life – as was her driver on this remote mountain route. Once you turn off the Swartberg Pass, it’s a further two-hour drive through fynbos-flecked mountains to Gamkaskloof

    It may be a tough journey, but who’d have thought that the road to Hell would be so beautiful…  and also so comfortable.

    Layers of History

    Archaeological evidence has revealed that area’s first human inhabitants were the Early Stone Age people over 500,000 years ago. Gamkakloof’s modern history began in 1830, when the first Dutch farmers settled in the valley and began to farm. No road existed, and so a treacherous journey, only possible by foot and donkey, would be made to reach the isolated Valley. For 130 years a community thrived here, reaching 120 people at its zenith. The road in was only built in 1960, and for the first time the valley was fully opened to the outside world.

    With its arrival it was now much easier for the inhabitants to visit the outside world, and soon the lure of community, churches, schools, etc, outgrew the desire to remain in the valley. Coupled with a debilitating drought in the 1970s, all but one family left. Thankfully the Kloof was declared a National Heritage Site in 1997, and in 2000, in conjunction with various heritage bodies, CapeNature began to restore the original farms’ houses into self-catering accommodation.  Around ten of these are now open to the public.


    The isolation and break from the world is massively refreshing, and with no cell reception it’s a digital detox of note. Take some books along, and your hiking shoes. The 6km Grootkloof Trail -is a scenic introduction to the Kloof, and a field guide is available from the information centre, giving you an education on the fauna, flora, geology and other finds in the Kloof. The shorter 2,8km Koningsgat trail is an easy walk, with a chance to rest halfway at the widest section of the Gamkaskloof River. Pack a costume in summer. It also makes a good lunch spot.

    Thanks again to Land Rover Cape Town for the privilege of taking the Velar on our trip. She was quickly dubbed the Scarlet Rover by one of our team members and it may seem obvious, but not only did the Velar handle the roads effortlessly, but it truly felt she like reveled in them. With a generous heart, ardent sense of adventure and uncompromising luxury, it’s the kind of vehicle you want to take you to The Hell and back.

    Travel Tips

    • Find out more on Gamkaskloof and book here online
    • Camping is also available in the area from R150pppn
    • Make sure you have enough fuel before driving in and out
    • Our cottage was Koot Kordier, a six-sleeper with one of the best views
    • There’s a small store in the valley: pay a visit – the fig jam is heavenly


                                                                                                            

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Jaredincpt.com
  • Home
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    • All Cape Town Food & Drink International Travel Interviews Lifestyle South Africa Spirituality
      Travel

      Derick van Biljon’s Date-Dazzling Steak

      Travel

      Rescue and Release – A South African Rhino…

      Travel

      Private Staycations: 3 Unforgettable Coastal Escapes

      Travel

      Cape Town: Alive and ready for Summer

      South Africa

      Sizzling Summer Vacations

      South Africa

      Unique South African Safari Experiences

      Travel

      The Montagu Magic

      Travel

      SALUT! Travel Feature: Two Winelands Staycations

      Cape Town

      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

      Cape Town

      Cape Town Hidden Gems: Part 2

      Cape Town

      Christmas Wishlist 2018

      Cape Town

      A Paarl Winelands Experience

      Cape Town

      3 New Drinking Spots in Cape Town

      Cape Town

      Kagga Kamma: A Bucket-list African Experience

      Cape Town

      South African Heritage Road Trip

      Cape Town

      Men’s Lifesyle Series 4: Meet the Stylist

      Food & Drink

      Meet the New Generation of Whisky Drinkers

      Food & Drink

      South Africa: A World of Wine

      Food & Drink

      Quoin Rock: South Africa’s Golden Vineyard

      Food & Drink

      Tales from the Underground

      Food & Drink

      Flavours So Fyn

      Food & Drink

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Food & Drink

      Four must-have South African wines for your collection

      Food & Drink

      A Heavenly Wine Staycation: The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

      International Travel

      Three Quintessential UK Experiences

      International Travel

      Island Hopping in the Philippines

      International Travel

      Braving the Bravarian Alps

      International Travel

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

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      Seychelles Honeymoon: Sexy and Secluded Solitude

      International Travel

      Gourmet Experiences in New Zealand’s Boutique Wine Town

      International Travel

      Seychelles on a shoestring: Making Memories in Mahé

      International Travel

      The South African’s Guide to New Zealand

      Interviews

      South Africa: A World of Wine

      Interviews

      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: ⁣Bringing Safari Home

      Interviews

      Wilderness in Waiting: Conservation During COVID

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      Food for Thought: What happens to our surplus…

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      The Quarter Kitchen Giveaway: Cape Town’s home of…

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      3 Trends Influencing the Travel Industry

      Interviews

      Hope for Joburg: Interview with Franck Leya

      Lifestyle

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      Plettenberg Bay: SA’s best Beach and now Cap…

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      Lifestyle

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