My 5 favourite routes to drive in the Western Cape

I do love a good route to a fantastic destination. I don’t mean to discriminate against the rest of the country, but let’s be honest, the Western Cape has some of the best roads this country has to offer. I may be biased, but this is my website, so I can be!

It is so hard to choose just five roads that I love to drive because, well, like I said, the Western Cape has so many to choose from. But these five are probably the ones that make my heart the happiest.

I have chosen to focus on routes rather than just specific roads because I like that these routes offer up picturesque scenery and idyllic destinations. It’s all about the journey, you see?!

MY FIVE FAVOURITE ROUTES IN THE WESTERN CAPE

1. GREYTON TO RIVIERSONDEREND VIA R406

Image courtesy of The Oaks

Greyton is one of my favourite places on earth. We often stay here on route to Plettenberg Bay. The gravel roads through the farms and mountains to Riviersonderend is one of my favourite routes. I often have to stop and take pics, sometimes because sheep are crossing the road and I have no choice but to stop. If you haven’t driven this route, you need to do it!

Early morning at a bridge over the Riviersonderend (river without end) on the road between Riviersonderend town and Greyton in the Western Cape Province

2. GARDEN ROUTE

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Plettenberg Bay is my second home. I have been going there since I was two weeks old and the drive up there never gets old. Ok, I am not overly excited about the N2 part of the route up to Mossel Bay, but once you turn off, ah! It makes my heart so very happy. The route past Plettenberg Bay gets even more beautiful as you head through Tsitsikamma and Storms River. The Garden Route also offers so much in terms of activities, food, places etc, it’s a road tripper’s dream.

Aerial photo of Knysna and its lagoon along the garden route in the Western Cape, South Africa

3. CHAPMANS PEAK DRIVE TO CAMPS BAY VIA VICTORIA ROAD

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There are few coastlines as beautiful as the one along the Atlantic Seaboard. It is a no brainer why Chapmans Peak Drive draws thousands of tourists every year. It’s a special place with spectacular views. Then as you drive through Hout Bay and on to Camps Bay, there is nothing that can take your breath away quite like the moment you see Lion’s Head. Check out the photo above to see what I mean.

Chapmans Peak Roads
The famous Chapmans Peak Drive

4. CLARENCE DRIVE aka ROOI ELS ROAD

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When this road is quiet, it is a motoring journalist’s wet dream. The sweeping corners and smooth surface make for an exhilarating ride. It just so happens to have some of the most spectacular views around as well. Yoh, taking a lekker cruise along this road on a sunny say with the top down…it doesn’t get much better.

Pringle Bay lies within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, is a popular destination for Sunday drives from Cape Town. Clarence Drive or Route 44 on False Bay in Western Cape, South Africa. Summer season

5. SWELLENDAM TO ROBERTSON

There’s always that moment on our way back from Plettenberg Bay or Stilbaai, just before Swellendam, where we have to decide whether to just continue on the N2 and brave the Somerset West traffic light mayhem, or take the turnoff towards the R62 and hope the Huguenot tunnel is not a nightmare. But when we do take that turn off, instantly you are met with the most beautiful route to take you home…even if it takes a tiny bit longer, it is worth it.

Swellendam area

What are your favourite routes to drive in the Western Cape? Or even elsewhere in this country…educate me, please! Let me know in the comments section below or on my Facebook or Instagram pages.

I’m Julz, South African motoring journalist with a passion for cars and a questionable sense of humour. I am not your average motoring journalist, and this is not your average motoring website.

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