Montagu, Breede River Valley
Lying between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn on Route 62 - South Africa’s version of America’s Route 66 blessed with scenery to take your breath away, some of the country’s finest wines and advertised as the longest wine route in the world - is the wine-producing town of Montagu.
Known as the ‘mountain mecca’ of the Cape, Montagu lies surrounded by the Langeberg mountain range nestled between the Keisie and Kingna Rivers in the western corner of Kannaland, and is famous for her orchards, vineyards, local herbs, rock formations and healing hot mineral springs. Montagu is one of the best examples of a late Victorian agricultural village in the Western Cape with a number of examples of preserved Cape Dutch and Georgian National Monuments - Long Street houses 14 of the town’s 22 national monuments and Joubert House epitomises late 19th century living.
Spending time in Montagu is sure to relax and recharge your batteries or, if you are that way inclined, there is a list of activities to get the adrenalin flowing, like mountain biking, kloofing, abseiling, paragliding, fishing and river boat trips up the Breede River. The main attraction in Montagu is the radioactive hot springs, originally part of the farm ‘Uitvlucht’, on the edge of the village. Lover’s Walk - a charming passage through cliffs to the springs, was painstakingly reconstructed after a flood in 1981 completely devastated the Kloof, including the Baths complex.
The Nature Garden, which offers a peaceful and relaxing alternative to the springs, was founded in 1954 and is a joy to visit during spring when wild flowers are in bloom. Cogmans Kloof, now one of the major entrances to Montagu, was initially impenetrable until Thomas Bain built the pass and tunnel through the kloof that negotiates the Hole in the Rock, known locally as the gateway to the Klein Karoo.
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Visitorials: We Love South Africa
Montagu Visitorial
I Love Montagu because ...
Featured in: Visitorials: We Love South Africa
We’ve asked those in the know to share their favourites things about Montagu. Find out where locals go for the best cup of coffee, lunch suggestions and much more. We’re letting you in on all of their secrets ... I Love Montagu because ...
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Montagu
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various ... more information
Breedekloof Wine Route
The youngest wine route in South Africa and just 90 km outside of Cape Town, the Breedekloof wine route lies in the Breede River Valley, which stretches from Gouda in the west, McGregor in the south, Montagu in the east and the Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the north. Wine in this region was initially ... more information
Cogmanskloof Pass
Cogmanskloof, sometimes also spelt Kogmanskloof, is the pass through which one drives between the towns of Montagu and Ashton in the Western Cape. It is the same pass of the famous tunnel, of the same name. Actually it is more like a hole through the mountain just as one passes over the river outside Montagu. It is ... more information
Joubert House
Annette Cilliers is a national treasure. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of Joubert House, a house museum and national monument that is like a flashback to what a home must have looked like on any given day in Montagu in the 1850s, is palpable. She speaks about the people involved in that period as if they are personal friends of ... more information
Little Karoo Wine Route
A little surprising, perhaps - that grapes can grow in a semi-arid area - but grow they do in this region, renowned for its extremes in soils and climate. Despite the low rainfall for the area, viticulture happens in the riverine sites, kloofs and valleys of its spectacularly rugged mountains and produces ... more information
Marloth Nature Reserve
Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that lie between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The Marloth Nature reserve includes what residents of Swellendam call ... more information
Robertson Golf Course
Surrounded by the rolling Langeberg mountains in the Breede River Valley and bordered by vineyards and orchards, the 18-hole Robertson golf course is the only 18-hole golf course in the beautiful ‘Valley of Wine and Roses’. Described as a fun, leisurely course it is extremely golfer friendly, with comfortable walks ... more information
Robertson Wine Valley
Only 1.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and in the heart of Route 62 - the longest wine route in the country - Robertson Wine Valley lies surrounded by majestic mountains in the Breede River Valley. With a minimal annual rainfall and harsh weather conditions, including hot, dry days and cold nights, wines ... more information
Route 62
Route 62 is modeled after the iconic US Route 66, made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole in the song of the mid 20th century. Travelers headed for the Garden Route will find that Route 62 offers a better alternative to the dull N2 motorway between Cape Town and George, being more scenic and ... more information
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San is becoming a reality. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, 54 000 hectares of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous fauna and flora, rock formations and rock ... more information
Soekershof
Just 10 kilometres east of Robertson, Soekershof lies in Klaas Voogds West - 10 hectares of amazing mazes, a cactus labyrinth, a tree of growing creativity, the world’s largest hedge-maze, a stone-age cinema, a fingerpointing maze, earth sculptures, succulents you didn’t even know existed, and a touch of magic ... more information
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Set in a part of the country known as the arid Robertson Karoo, the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve lies in the Breede River Valley, roughly 15 kilometres south of Robertson on the road to McGregor. Given the name of the nature reserve - Vrolijkheid means happiness - this must have been the site of much ... more information
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Things To Do in Montagu
Dine at Jessica's Restaurant
Where: Montagu
How much (per person): On Request
At Jessica's Restaurant guests can enjoy a romantic candle-light dinner in this beautifully restored Victorian home dating back to the late ... more information
Dine in Style at Mimosa Lodge
Where: Montagu
How much (per person): On Request
Mimosa Lodge’s award-winning restaurant has put Montagu on the culinary map. Its award-winning Swiss Chef takes pride in using only the fres ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Montagu
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