Willowmore (original) (raw)
Willowmore, Baviaanskloof
When people describe the little Karoo town of Willowmore as the western gateway to the Baviaanskloof, it is more literal than one thinks.
People entering or exiting, depending on how they choose to drive it, the wilderness kloof use the town as a place to refresh themselves, or overnight. It is geared for tourists, its main thoroughfare (Knysna Road) littered with antique furniture stores, delis, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and places to stay. It's colourful, to say the least.
There is a donkey cart ride around town, known as the Willow Limo. But don't try taking a sneak photo of the donkeys without asking permission first, as the oom who drives the cart is more likely to remonstrate with you about the R5 fee he charges to have his face and cart grace your camera, than comply.
The reason many visitors to this remoter part of the Eastern Cape may not know about the allure of Willowmore is because the N9 bypasses town. If you're slightly distracted on your journey, you'll whiz by without a second glance.
Willowmore lies 140 km north-east of Knysna, and about an hour's drive south-west of Aberdeen. Just outside town is the dirt road that takes you through the Baviaanskloof, a remote place of jagged and folded mountains. If the muddied bikers who shot out of the edge of the Baviaanskloof on the day we were there are anything to go by, it's another world.
Lying between Willowmore and Patensie the Baviaanskloof is a long narrow valley. Running its 200 km length is Thomas Bain's longest road, arguably one of the engineer's most spectacular roads, given the natural beauty of the two mountain passes, low-water bridges and incredible views.
It takes the average 4x4 vehicle six hours to navigate, but you'll probably want to do it a lot slower than that.
You have a couple of choices open to you when navigating the kloof. Either you can go as far as the Nuwekloof pass, before turning back to Willowmore. Or you can drive right through to Patensie. This latter section is when you'll need a 4x4 as the narrow gravel passes, and the state of the road, make the going tough.
Willowmore is worth a stopover. The town is filled with historical architecture and includes a wonderful old Boer graveyard, and a well cared for Jewish cemetery. The Pierre Ferreira hiking trail into the surrounding veld incorporates a couple of historic forts and wonderful views over town.
Look out for: the little yellow vintage car on the south side of town, the red pedestrian bridge (rooi bruggie) used during floods, Antiques at Sophie's Choice, Kapoet for coffee, and the Blackstone power station.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified reviewgood
We had a super time in Willowmore. It's quaint and full of character. Granted, it's not exactly a tourist spot, but it really is set in a picturesque setting and was charming.
Dinah Fisher (JHB)
Verified reviewexcellent
Het gestop vir middagete by Sophies Choice. Wat 'n heerlike ondervinding. Sal graag deur die dorp en omliggende dele verder wil verken.
Elsa van der Merwe (Cullinan)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
Finchley Farm
Situated on a working sheep farm just 2,5km outside Willowmore, Finchley Farm offers self catering accommodation. Experience the peaceful and tra...
Guest House
Willow Historical Guest House
Ideally situated for stopovers when travelling from Gauteng to George, the Willow Historic Guest House offers accommodation, fine food in it's a ...
Guest House / Self Catering
Keurfontein Country House
Keurfontein Country House offers fine accommodation on the N9 between Willowmore and Uniondale easily accessible from the main road. It is theref...
Self Catering
Baviaans Lodge
Baviaans Lodge is the gateway to this natural wilderness offering superb lodge accommodation, directly adjoining the Baviaanskloof World Heritage...
Things to do in the area
Arts & Crafts
Vondeling Optel Craft
Vondeling settlement consists of an isolated scatter of homesteads, made up of only 29 families, on public and private land close to the now disu...
4x4 Trails
Glenmore 4x4 Trail
The Glenmore 4x4 trail is located on a farm in the Baviaanskloof, and consists of five trails. The farm is located approximately 35km from Willow...
4x4 Trails
Doringkloof 4x4 Trails
Deep in the ancient formations of the Baviaanskloof Mountain Range lie the Doringkloof 4x4 Trails. This area is characterised by rugged landscape...
4x4 Trails
Soetendalspoort 4x4 Trail
Experience the haunting beauty of the Karoo in a very special way when venturing out on the Soetendalspoort 4x4 Trails. These trails are situated...
4x4 Trails
Timbila 4x4 Trails
The Timbila 4x4 Trails comprise three separate routes that are all contained within the prettiness and diversity of the Timbila Nature Reserve, b...
Caf�s & Eateries
Belly Deli
Belly Deli is a quirky little retreat in the heart of the Karoo Heartland. Willowmore, the deli�s home town, is a small hub, but has earned its s...
Scenic Drives
Baviaans Heritage Tours
The Baviaanskloof is a majestic mountain range that is not only significant for its natural abundance, but also for its historical and cultural h...
Cycling
Baviaanskloof MTB Route
Where: The Baviaanskloof World Heritage SiteLevel: difficult, the routes are long and can be gruellingType of route: gravel roads, tricky river c...
Cycling
Elandsheuwel MTB Trails
Where: on the R329 from Steytlerville towards WillowmoreLevel: great family rides; not very technical although there are a few rocky bits Type of...
Noteworthy attractions
Popular Tourist Routes
Gamtoos Valley
Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour�s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Han...
Mountain Reserves
Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve
The Valley of the Baboons in the Eastern Cape (in the sandy soil of this valley one can easily spot their footprints), also known as the Baviaans...
National Parks
Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve
The Baviaanskloof Wilderness is an incredibly scenic gorge that lies between two sets of mountain ranges - the Baviaanskloof and the Kouga mounta...
Mountain Passes
Antoniesberg Pass
Antoniesberg Pass is a remote, sheer gravel pass that links the Groot River with the northern side of the Baviaanskloof Mountains.The pass itself...
Mountain Passes
Grasnek Pass
The �home of the baboons� (Baviaanskloof) is a deep ravine through which sweep a number of mountain passes that are nothing short of spectacular....
Mountain Passes
Combrinks Pass
The Baviaanskloof is a valley that runs east to west between the Baviaanskloof Mountains and the Kouga Mountains. The wilderness area is also a W...
Mountain Passes
Nuwekloof Pass Baviaanskloof
The Nuwekloof Pass functions as an entrance to the Baviaanskloof, its red rock faces linking the western section of the kloof with the Karoo town...
Mountain Passes
Holgat Pass
Only one road takes you through the kloof, which is probably why so much of its landscape is untouched, pristine and remote. To the north of Bavi...
Lakes / Dams
The Kouga Dam
Built in the 1960s, the Kouga Dam was the first double-arched dam in South Africa. It's worth a stop for the beauty of its setting in amongst the...
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