Montagu & Route 62
A Victorian town on the western stretch of Route 62, with hot springs, gorge climbing and the Robertson wine valley, plus semi-arid Karoo towns such as Barrydale along the way.
Montagu lies in the Langeberg area of South Africa's Western Cape, about 190 km (roughly 2.5 hours' drive) from Cape Town, and is the starting town of the western stretch of the famous Route 62 road trip. Founded in 1851, the town has long streets lined with numerous white-walled Victorian and Cape Dutch houses, all ringed by twisted, folded ochre sandstone mountains. North of town is a natural hot spring of about 43°C, the mountain reserve to the west has classic hiking trails, and its rock faces have made Montagu a mecca for sport climbing in South Africa. Around the area: head southwest through the Cogmanskloof tunnel to taste wine in the Robertson wine valley, take a boat-and-picnic trip on the Breede River, then continue south to the thatched-cottage village of McGregor; or head east along Route 62 past the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, the arty town of Barrydale and the famous roadside bar Ronnie's Sex Shop, turning south over Tradouw Pass to reach the coast. The best seasons are the spring flower season of Sep–Nov and the grape harvest of Mar–May; in summer, inland daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C, while winter nights are cold but perfect for soaking in the hot springs. You'll need your own car; plan on 2–3 days, and you can continue east to Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route.
Top sights
- Avalon Springs – A natural hot spring resort in the northern gorge of Montagu. The water is about 43 °C, and the outdoor pools are backed by ochre-red rock…
- Robertson Wine Valley – The 'Valley of Wine and Roses' in the Breede River Valley. Its more than 50 wineries are known for Chardonnay and sparkling wine, with rela…
- Cogmanskloof Pass – A mountain pass linking Montagu and Ashton, with a rock tunnel blasted through in 1877 and a small British fort from the Anglo-Boer War sti…
- Montagu Rock Climbing – One of South Africa's best-known sport climbing destinations, with over a thousand routes on quartzite sandstone walls, all reachable on fo…
- Montagu Museum & Joubert House – A small town museum housed in a former mission church, showcasing local herbal knowledge and folk culture. Nearby, the Joubert House is a C…
- Bloupunt & Cogmanskloof Hiking Trails – Two classic loop trails starting from the edge of town. The Bloupunt route climbs about 1,000 metres for views over the Langeberg, while th…
- Protea Farm Tractor Ride – Ride a tractor-pulled trailer up to about 1,500 metres on the Langeberg for views over the valley, then enjoy potjiekos, South Africa's tra…
- Breede River Cruise at Viljoensdrift – A Breede River cruise from Viljoensdrift Winery, drifting slowly between willows and reeds while you sip wine and spot kingfishers and fish…
- McGregor – A quiet town south of Robertson, where well-preserved thatched, whitewashed Cape cottages line the streets and artists and retreat seekers…
- Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve – A Karoo scrubland reserve beside McGregor with birding hides and loop trails, home to antelope, rock hyraxes and over 150 bird species.
- Barrydale – An art town on the R62 lined with cafés, galleries and farm restaurants, and a favourite stop for road-trippers.
- Tradouw Pass – A scenic canyon road through the Langeberg south of Barrydale, flanked by red sandstone cliffs and streams, one of South Africa's most beau…
- Sanbona Wildlife Reserve – One of the large wildlife reserves closest to Cape Town, where white lions, elephants, rhinos and cheetahs roam the semi-arid Karoo landsca…
- Ronnies Sex Shop – The most famous roadside bar on the R62, named after a prank scrawl, with walls and ceilings covered in tourists' underwear and signatures.
Where to eat
- The Rambling Rose – Montagu's top-rated farm shop restaurant on Route 62, known for homemade preserves, baking and all-day breakfast.
- The Barn on 62 Café – Family-run café in a converted barn, with a peaceful shaded garden and well-loved homemade burgers and eggplant shakshu…
- Mimosa Lodge Restaurant – Restaurant in a boutique lodge run by a Swiss chef, offering a grill restaurant and the SOLO private five-course dinner…
Itineraries
- Route 62 & Little Karoo – Drive along Route 62 through wine valleys and semi-arid plateaus to Oudtshoorn, then cross the mountains to George.