scenic drive

The Elgin Valley Road is known to the locals simply as "Valley Road". It is a 12 km U-shaped loop that traverses some steep valleys, the sides of which are covered in apple orchards, vineyards or pine forests. This 300m high mountain plateau is perfect for the production of both apples and wines suited to a cooler climate. The valley is dotted with dams and lakes both large and small and has become the epicentre of the Grabouw region's eco-tourism efforts. Young couples flock here to the farms to get married in pristine countryside settings, whilst the mountain biking fraternity are attracted by the miles of quality single track and testing mountainous terrain. 

This long tarred pass offers diverse scenery through an area steeped in history and of course, stories of robbers of those who found gold in the area. There is the famous Robbers Grave which can be visited near the pass at Pilgrims Rest - a village inextricably linked to the pioneering days of the discovery of gold. Once a flourishing town, it is today a small village offering tourists a glimpse into a bygone era. Pilgrims Rest and the aptly named Robbers Pass are historically bound like a set of twins.

This is a long pass of 20,6 km which includes a summit height of 1789m ASL and 68 bends, corners and curves to keep drivers honest. The usual cautionaries apply which include heavy mountain mists, high rainfall, logging and mining trucks, potholes and impatient drivers who disobey the barrier lines.