Baviaanskloof - UNESCO World Heritage Site - South Africa 

 

The dirt road was built between 1880 and 1890 by South Africa's most famous road engineer, Thomas Bain. Together with his father, Andrew Geddes Bain, who emigrated from Scotland in 1816, he was responsible for 32 of the most important road projects in the Cape. It was among the last roads built by Bain (he died in 1893 ) and it is by far the longest of the roads and mountain passes which bear his mark.

 

Although not in the same engineering league as his routes over the Swartberg or Outeniqua ranges, it can be compared with the Tsitsikamma forest road, which, incidentally, was its inspiration. While the forest road was being completed in the early 1880's, Bain was already arguing for connecting roads to the east-west highway, which would make it more accessible and valuable to the rest of the country.

 

The Baviaanskloof road stretches from Patensie in the east to Willowmore in the west (197 Km’s) and nature lovers taking the untarred road find an almost pristine wilderness. The road itself is spectacular but very rough in parts. The seasonal rain can sometimes cause wash-aways and it is recommended only for bakkies and 4x4’s.

 

Along the way two majestic mountain passes are crossed and numerous low water bridges are encountered. During the rainy season this causes considerable delays! The Route After leaving Patensie, the almost 1 800m summit of Cockscomb looms ahead. It is named after the five jagged crests resembling a rooster's comb. A right turn off the main road at Cockscomb introduces the Goede Hoop-Sandrivier area to hikers, anglers, campers and four-wheel drivers.

 

At Andrieskraal (16 km from Patensie), the bust of Queen Victoria rises out of the cemented matrix of water-borne pebbles known as Enon conglomerate. The road cuttings in the area are characterised by sheer cliffs of the same geological formation. A slight detour of 7km to the Kouga Dam leads to the life source of the Gamtoos Valley and the Port Elizabeth Metropolitan area. Representing the first ever double-arched dam built in South Africa, its waters stretch for a tranquil 28km up into the mountain wilderness. After passing the Komdomo camping ground the road winds for 10km through the Grootrivier poort past exquisite rock formations deeply incised by the Grootrivier.

 

Pinnacles, overhangs and slabs of Table Mountain Sandstone adorned with luminous lichens usher travelers into the splendour of the Kouga-Baviaans mountain catchment area. Cambria, affectionally known as "Die Kas" because of the "boxed-in" configuration of the area, produces some of the sweetest citrus fruit in the region. The name Cambria was bestowed on the area by an early Welsh visitor who was struck by its resemblance to his homeland.

 

The Poortjies Valley, watered by the pristine Witrivier and clothed in mystical remnants of Knysna Forest, represents the portal to the true wilderness area. Tread lightly as this ecologically sensitive system contains a number of gems, including the delicate George Lily and the inquisitive freshwater fish, the Red-finned minnow.

 

After Poortjies comes the first pass: Combrinck's Pass. It's quite steep and narrow and as it snakes upwards there are some very tight turns with breath-taking drops and dramatic scenery. Speculate on the hardships endured by early the pioneers. On top of the pass, you are greeted by the extensive Bergplaas grassland plateau which affords panoramic views. Site of the recent Cape Mountain Zebra re-introductions, it also serves as a staging point for hiking trails into the Berg Plaatz Wilderness area.

 

Mac Mountain (1582m) poses a moderate challenge to the experienced hiker. Dry stone walls bear testimony to the endeavours of long-departed farming folk. Winston le Roux's cable way system once bridged the gaping Waterpoort, providing an effective link between the Enkeldoorn and Bergplaas farming communities. Constructed in the early 1960's, the system was used to transport farm produce (wheat, potatoes, vegetables and livestock) between the two areas, by-passing the tortuous and time consuming road route. The view west gives an idea of the extent of the valley's fault line and the enormity of the forces which buckled the earth's crust.

 

After Bergplaas, the road descends Holgat Mountain Pass. Going down the pass, the slopes are covered in spekboom, aloes, valley bushveld euphorbia and mountain fynbos, with a sprinkling of proteas. Prominent on the way down is the conical hill known as Langkop, set against the backdrop of the headwaters of the Kouga Dam.

 

Located at the head of the Kouga Dam, the Doodsklip wilderness camping site provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. Originally known as Lemoentuin or Orange Grove, legend has it that certain individuals died under strange circumstances at the site, hence the present-day name. This area was extensively farmed up until 1970. The great flood of 1971 and buy-out initiatives by the state, related to the construction of the dam, put an end to active farming in the area.

 

5km upstream from Doodsklip, the Rooihoek wilderness camping site sports a natural pool in the Kruisrivier fringed by an expansive stretch of white sandy beach. The pool was named after the patron of the area, Dr Allen Hydrant.

 

The setting sun bathes the sheer rock walls in a warm, red glow, giving the area its name. This area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, serving as an important trail-head for the Geurna and Berg Plaatz wilderness areas. The Kouga River canyon can also be explored from here which eventually exits at the Riverside Development Area in the Langkloof.

 

At the foot of the Grassneck Mountain Pass, nestled between the rock face and riverine vegetation, is a natural plunge pool for the traveller to cool off. Ascending the Grassneck Pass, a backward glance will reveal wall-to-wall valley bush veld and the broad, gentle sweep of the Kouga-Baviaans floodplain, hemmed in by the impassive Kouga Mountains.

 

On reaching the summit of Grassneck Pass, the sentinels of the Baviaans Range come into view, with Scholtzberg (1 626m) dominating the skyline. Roadside viewpoints offer stunning vistas of the entire area. After descending the pass one encounter the next crossing of the Baviaanskloof River at Apieskloof. At Apieskloof the road runs for about 100 meters in the Baviaanskloof riverbed another place to cool off in summer.

 

Source: Baviaans Tourism