Heading west from George, our route leads through the lush coastal garden of the southern Cape to the sandy shores of Mossel Bay, then turns inland, over the Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo — a dry land of ostriches and scattered white-washed farmhouses — and the Kango Caves. All but some 36km of the route is on tar.

Leave George on C J Langenhoven Street, heading towards Oudtshoorn. After passing the golf course on your left, turn left into Witfontein Road towards Blanco, and turn right at the next signpost for ‘P W Botha Airport via Blanco’. After a few hundred metres the road crosses the Malgas River, with a picturesque old stone bridge to your left. At the far end of the village of Blanco, take the road that veers left, and continue past hop plantations to the old national road (R102).

Drive straight across the R102, and after driving around the airport, turn right onto the N2 towards Mossel Bay. The N2 sweeps down over the coastal hills, offering splendid views over the sea to Mossel Bay and Cape St Blaize.

As the N2 descends to sea level it crosses a bridge over the Great Brak River. At the far end of the bridge, turn left for ‘Great Brak River/Route 102′, and immediately turn left again. Drive back over the river on the old bridge, then turn right and cross the railway line. Pass the station, then turn right to reach ‘The Island’ by driving across one channel of the lagoon on a single-lane bridge. Park where convenient on the island (or park on the mainland and walk across the bridge).

Several lanes between the holiday houses lead down to the beach — an attractive 30-40 min walk. (If the water level is too high for this, you can reach the sea by driving around the lagoon to the western side.)

Great Brak River to Robinson Pass

Retrace your route across the old bridge to the western side of the Great Brak River, noting your kms at the end of the bridge. Do not turn right onto the N2, but continue straight on the R102 towards the Little Brak River.

After 8 km turn right and cross over the N2, then at the T-junction turn right again, towards Oudtshoorn. 1,3 km after the T-junction the road forks — take the left road here. Drive past a road on your right to Gonnakraal 2,2 km later, and take the next turn to your right 200 m after this, keeping to the tar. After another 200m the tar ends — note your kms here. The road continues to climb, offering views over the Little Brak River.

The road now winds among hills and farmlands, and offers increasingly spectacular views as it approaches the Outeniqua Mountains. After 13,2 km on the gravel there is a road on your right to Leeukloof — drive 200m along it, just over the hill, for the view, then return to the junction and continue on the main gravel road. 3 km later, turn right onto the tarred R329. After 2,5 km on the R328 you reach the EightBells Mountain Inn — the official entry point for the Ruitersbos Forest.

From the Eight Bells Mountain Inn, continue on the R328 over the Robinson Pass. Viewsites and picnic spots dot the roadside, and it is interesting to note how the fynbos changes in character as the road climbs higher. This present Robinson Pass road follows the original Attaquas Kloof road built by Thomas Bain in 1869, and climbs to 860m above sea level. (to be continued)