GEORGE NEWS - DAY TRIP 1
George - Herold - Dysselsdorp - Oudtshoorn - Mossel Bay
George Take the turn-off onto the historic and scenic Montagu Pass and follow the signs to Herold Wines. Cool mountain mists keep summer temperatures moderate and create a long ripening season for the pinot noir and sauvignon blanc.
Things to do: Cellar tour; wine tasting; tearoom; bring your own picnic; mountain pool; farm and fynbos walks.
From here, travel through Herold, turn right onto the R62 and left onto the gravel road to Dysselsdorp over the Perdepoort Pass.
Things to do: Via Dolorosa; ostrich feather sorting; dried fruit.
Turn right (north-east) onto the N12 to Domein-Doornkraal for their Tickled Pink sparkling or some fortified wines.
Things to do: Browse through the country shop with lots of local goodies.
Find wines from all the cellars in the Little Karoo at cellar prices.
Oudtshoorn Karusa Vineyards is 15km from town along the R328 in Schoemanshoek.
Things to do: Taste superb wines and handcrafted beer; deli; relax on the stoep. Reasons to visit Oudtshoorn: Hug, ride or feed an ostrich; stroke a cheetah; dive with crocodiles; Meerkatmagic; feed an elephant; ride a camel; Cango Caves; ostrich products; township tours; kloofing; horse riding; hot air balloon; game viewing; mountain biking; abseiling; caving and Little Karoo cuisine. The shortest route back to George is the N12 or, if you are more adventurous, stock up with Ruby Port, traditional witblits and liqueur at Grundheim Wines. Travel from there on the R328 over the Robinson Pass to Mossel Bay for a sundowner on the beach. Spend an unforgettable day in the Little Karoo.
Distances: George to Herold (22km) - Herold to Domein-Doornkraal (39km) - Domein-Doornkraal to Oudtshoorn (23km) - Oudtshoorn to Mossel Bay (77km) - Mossel Bay to George (44km). Round trip is 205km.
DAY TRIP 2
Oudtshoorn - Prince Albert - Klaarstroom - De Rust - Dysselsdorp
Oudtshoorn Take the R328 through Schoemanshoek. First stop, Karusa Vineyards.
Things to do: Taste superb wines and handcrafted beer; deli; relax on the stoep.
From here onto the historic and scenic Swartberg Pass. The pass is 27km long and considered one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the world - a gravel road winds to the summit 1 583 metres above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn. The turn-off to the remote Gamkaskloof is near the summit of the pass.
Things to do: Hike or cycle down the mountain; bring your own picnic; breakfast at the old Toll House; visit Gamkaskloof.
Picturesque Prince Albert lies at the foot of the Swartberg Pass.
Things to do: Wine tasting; Gay's Guernsey cheese; cooking school; ghost walks; olives; mohair products; indigenous seeds; farmers' market; labyrinth.
From here, travel along the R407 to Bergwater Vineyards.
Things to do: Taste the red wine from the first cellar in the Great Karoo; olives; guest house; 4x4 trails.
At Klaarstroom you might stop at the local tea room - if the sign is up outside the guest house, feel free to drop in.
Now through Meiringspoort with its incredible passageway of towering sandstone cliffs that pierce the heart of the Swartberg Mountain Range. The plant life on the mountains is exceptional, including species such as mountain fynbos, Renosterveldt, Karoo veldt, spekboom, aloes, proteas and the well-known pelargonium zonale, the ancestor of all geraniums, which was first collected in 1689 in Meiringspoort.
Visit De Rust for Little Karoo hospitality and Excelsior Vlakteplaas muscadel. Their products can be obtained from the local liquor store.
Things to do: Glass products, antiques, art gallery; donkey car rides; waterskiing; fishing; hiking; red hills; history.
Stop at Domein-Doornkraal for their Tickled Pink sparkling or some fortified wines.
Things to do: Browse through the country shop with lots of local goodies.
Distances: Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert (66km) - Prince Albert to Bergwater Vineyards (22km) - Bergwater Vineyards to Klaarstroom (30km) - Klaarstroom to De Rust (22km) - De Rust to Domein-Doornkraal (13km) - Domein-Doornkraal to Oudtshoorn (23km). Round trip is 176km.
DAY TRIP 3
Mossel Bay - Calitzdorp - Ladismith - Van Wyksdorp - Herbertsdale
From Mossel Bay, take the R328 over the Robinson Pass to Oudtshoorn. At the Volmoed turn-off, turn left to visit Grundheim Wines.
Things to do: Taste the local Ruby Port, traditional witblits and liqueur.
Follow the old cement road to Calitzdorp. The cellars of Boplaas, De Krans, Calitzdorp, Peter Bayly, Withoek, Axe Hill, Du'SwaRoo and
TTT Cellar are known for their port and the full-bodied, dry red wines made with traditional Portuguese varietals such as Touriga Naçional and Tempranillo.
Things to do: Hot springs; Sophia's Mustard; mountain biking; canoeing; fishing; hiking; 4x4 routes; birding; passes; Karoo succulents.
From here, travel over the Huisrivier Pass to Ladismith. Visit the distillery at Ladismith Cellar and taste some of the local wines. On the Dwarsrivier road towards Laingsburg, 9km from town, lays Hillock Wines. Taste some wine in these tranquil surroundings or stay over in the 4-star Mymering Guest House.
Things to do: Abseiling; mountain biking; kloof swimming; game reserve; mountaineering routes; 4x4 routes; guided day tours; hiking; nature reserves; bird watching; archaeology sites; geology sites; museums; Karoo succulents; cheese tasting.
From Ladismith, take the R327 past Van Wyksdorp and follow the gravel road in the shadow of the Langeberg Mountains over the spectacular Cloetes Pass to Herbertsdale and then back to Mossel Bay.
Distances: Mossel Bay to Grundheim (66km) - Grundheim to Calitzdorp (37km) - Calitzdorp to Ladismith (49km) - Ladismith to Van Wyksdorp (43km) - Van Wyksdorp to Herbertsdale (68km) - Herbertsdale to Mossel Bay (51km).
Round trip is 314 km.
Please visit www.kleinkaroowines.co.za for more information.
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