Montagu up Close, Route 62, South Africa

Driving from Ashton to Montagu, along the Route 62,  you would pass through Cogman's Kloof pass (also spelled Kogmans Kloof), and ushered in by the old British Fort, which stands boldly on top of the tunnel pass. It said to be built in 1899, at the start of the second Boer War. 

Montagu is known as the gateway to the Karoo... 

The first building that you will come across on your lefthand side, as you enter Montagu from Ashton, is called Die Kloof Padstal, and is a restaurant as well as a popular farmstall. It is the perfect spot for travellers to take a little pit stop and enjoy a refreshment or a light meal. It has a beautiful view over the Keisie River and the Bloupunt mountain top.

Montagu has a lot of historical buildings as well as interesting architecture, which is a common and endearing trait of the Route 62 towns along the drive. 

If you have limited time, and would like to see or do a few different things from one spot, then make sure you travel on a Wednesday or a Saturday and visit the Proteafarm, which is about 29kms from Montagu centre, in Koo Valley. The farm has perfect conditions for growing apples and pears, and of course Protea's (which grow during the winter time). It offers  a few interesting things to do in one place,  including hiking trails, lake swimming, mountain biking trails, 4 x 4 trails as well as their most popular attraction, the Montagu Tractor Trips.  The tractor pulls sightseers up the Langeberg mountain, providing breathtaking views over the valleys below. Something a little bit different! 

Finish off your Tractor experience with their home made "potjiekos", one of South Africa's most traditional meals, pronounced "poy-kee-koss", which is saucy like stew with meat and vegetables. But make sure again, that you visit on a Wednesday or Saturday, and that you book in advance. Here is a little video, (in the local language, Afrikaans, but gives you an idea of what the traditional Potjiekos meal is all about!)

If you are more of a "relaxed, take it easy, have a coffee or a picnic" kinda person, then you would definitely be interested to learn of the Natural Hot Springs found in Montagu. The Avalon Springs allows day visitors, and offers accommodation too. They allow maximum 300 visitors per day to the springs, so get there early. Here you can swim in natural spring waters, which are nice and warm! The water enters the atmosphere from the ground at 43degrees Celcius, but gently cools as it reaches the various pool areas. 

The Route 62 is the longest wine route in the world, and that is a big focus for this "Blog-Through" series, however Montagu has some of the least wineries to offer compared to other towns along the way. You can visit Montagu Wines and Spirits, but perhaps keep your wine tasting palette for the following stops to come as we venture deeper into the Little Karoo. Next stop, Barrydale!