Scenic Back-Road Route to the Karoo

Scenic Back-Road Route to the Karoo:
Plettenberg Bay to the Oldest Guest Farm in South Africa
1. Plettenberg Bay – Prince Alfred Pass (gravel)
Begin by heading inland from Plettenberg Bay toward the Prince Alfred Pass. This historic gravel route connects the Garden Route to the Klein Karoo and was built by Thomas Bain between 1860 and 1867. It winds through dense forests and crosses the river seven times, offering dramatic mountain views and quaint stops like the Die Plaaskind padstal for local goat cheese and preserves
2. Prince Alfred Pass – Oudtshoorn (via R340)
At the top of the pass, continue east on rural roads toward Oudtshoorn along the scenic R340. This route follows the old ox-wagon trail over the Paardekop Mountains—a path used since the 18th century and once traversed by Thunberg in 1772. Although far less steep today, echoes of the old trail remain visible in the terrain
3. Oudtshoorn – Beaufort West – Molteno Pass (R381)
From Oudtshoorn, head north toward Beaufort West, then pick up the R381, which leads you through the rugged Rosesberg Pass, past the Karoo National Park, and into the impressive Molteno Pass. Completed in May 1881, Molteno Pass is regarded as one of South Africa’s first mountain passes and connects the central Karoo to the Northern Cape.
4. Molteno Pass – Loxton – Final Destination (via R63 and gravel)
After descending into Loxton, turn onto the R63 toward Victoria West. Then on to our final destination and there we Camp in Tents or use our Campers or Caravan or stay in the Colonial Hotel / Guest House on the Farm.
Brief Historical Highlights Along the Route
Prince Alfred Pass – Engineered by Thomas Bain between 1860–1867 to link Plettenberg Bay and the interior, this pass boasts sweeping mountain views and river crossings.
Paardekop Trail (R340) – An old oxwagon route over the Paardekop Mountains, operational since about 1772, with remnants still visible today.
Molteno Pass – Opened in May 1881 and named after John Molteno, the Cape’s first Premier; it was vital in connecting the central Karoo to the northern hinterlands.
Oldest Guest Farm – Established in 1935 and housed partly in an 1889 farmhouse. Today, it’s celebrated as South Africa’s oldest guest farm. It offers rustic hospitality, with guest rooms, a tearoom, lawn games, birding, and even a Bradysaurus fossil on site.
Summary of the Scenic Back-Road Route
This journey elegantly weaves together forested mountain passes and arid Karoo vastness; each pass carries its own chapter of South African pioneer engineering and transportation history.