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Province: Eastern Cape
Region: Karoo Heartland
Route: Cambedoo Route
CAMBEDOO/SNEEUBERG ROUTE - TOWNS- WILLOWMORE, ABERDEEN, GRAAFF REINET, NIEU-BETESDA TO MIDDELBURG
A national road route which shows off the vast open spaces of the Karoo, sweeping through two small towns to gracious Graaff Reinet and ending in Middelburg, a town surrounded by mountains.
The route starts in WII.I.OWMORE, which is the nearest town to the magnificent Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. This small Karoo town serves a farming area which produces wool and mohair -it is the fifth most important producer of mohair in the Eastern Cape. There are some interesting buildings in the town and, along the route, a giant fig tree and the Beervlei Flood Control Dam (27 km from town) are points of interest.
ABERDEEN has a bounty of architectural treasures and has been declared an architectural conservation area. Victorian buildings, with Georgian, Karoo, German, Gothic, Russian and Flemish influences can be seen in the streets of this little town. The Camdeboo Mountain Range is the lovely setting for Aberdeen. Fountain water and ferns in the mountains provide a contrast to the dry plains.
The Aberdeen district is the second largest producer of mohair in South Africa.
The Dutch Reformed Church spire said to be the tallest in the country. It is also 45 cm off centre. The road leads to GRAAFF-REINET, the delightful "Gem of the Karoo". (See Graaff-Reinet under R63 Route) Set in the southern foothills of the Sneeuberg some 56ks from Graaff-Reinet, and dominated by the highest peak in the range the Compassberg, lies the delightful village of NIEU-BETHESDA. The village has many interesting old dwellings, including Helen Martin's Owl House Museum and Camel Yard.There are two art galleries and B&B accommodation. There are numerous guest farms in the district which offer excellent. accommodation and many farm activities.
The main route goes through scenic mountain passes and ends at MIDDELBURG. The town of Middelburg on the banks of the Great Brak River is surrounded by beautiful mountains, sometimes snow- capped in winter. Compassberg (2 502m:ctres) is the highest peak in South Africa apart from the Drakensberg Mountains. Compassberg hiking trails are popular. Water pumped from underground is one of the town's great assets. The town lies midway between Cradock and Colesberg on the road to the north. It is a busy central town for its surrounding sheep and angora goat farming region. The Grootfontein (College of Agriculture, a former British military peacekeeping camp, has a fine reputation as a"training centre for farmers. The town has excellent sports facilities and an interesting museum. The Reformed Church building is oldest Reformed Church in South Africa (1862).
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