Montagu on Route 62
Montagu, South Africa, is situated on the legendary Route 62 which linked farming communities with the two major harbour towns of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth at the turn of the 20th century. Like the Route 66 in America, it was replaced by highway some 40 years ago.
Today the Route 62 represents the longest wine route in the world. From a scenic point of view the route runs through the most beautiful mountain ranges and fertile fruit farming areas. En route you can explore sleepy villages, beautifully preserved, like Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Amalienstein, Barrydale and Montagu - a village with lots of history.
The most southern point of Africa is at Cape Agulhas and is just more than an hour away from Montagu, South Africa. En route one can stop in Bredasdorp and visit the shipwreck museum which gives one an insight into the marine history of South Africa.
It not only offers a 70km shorter option between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, but also runs through the most beautiful mountain passes, alternated by typical Klein Karoo vegetation, vineyards and fruit orchards. It passes through 14 beautifully preserved villages where time has stood still for 40 years.
The area offers a rich history. The most interesting museums being the Montagu Museum, Joubert House (the oldest local house/residence), the British fort and the natural gardens in town. The Robertson / Ashton / Montagu wine route is known throughout South Africa. Some of the most well known wine farms being Van Loeveren, Graham Beck, Zandvliet and Weltevrede.
How to get there: Directions to Montagu Hotel
Cape Town to Montagu (N1):
Take the N1 highway from Cape Town through Du Toits Kloof to Worcester. Turn off at the second robot to your right where Worcester is sign posted. Drive straight on with this street where you will cross a bridge where you will see a fire station on your right hand side. At the second robot after the bridge you turn left for a couple of hundred metres where you will see the R60 sign posted at the traffic light. You turn right here. You pass through Robertson and Ashton before reaching the village of Montag, South Africa. In Montagu you will take the fourth turn-off to your left which is Kohler Street and where the hotel is clearly sign posted. One street block, and you will find the hotel on your right hand side.
GPS Co-ordinates
33°47'12"S
20°7'17"E
