Blyde River Canyon Copyright: South African Tourism
The Panorama Route and Blyde River Canyon are one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in the world. It lies in the rugged mountain range of the northern Drakensberg. Here the inland plateau declines abruptly and steeply and opens up fantastic views of the plains of the Lowveld a thousand metres below. At times the spectacle is often impaired, since the escarpment is a barrier for the clouds coming from the east, rising at this point and bringing a lot of rain. On clear day's the view reaches up to the Kruger Park. The most spectacular stretch is the Blyde River Canyon which can be reached from Graskop. A few kilometres north is a small loop road leading to God's Window, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view on the Lowveld. The Canyon starts at Bourke's Luck Potholes and ends at the Three Rondavels. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 32 km long gorge. The Potholes are very impressive rock formations that were shaped millions of years ago by erosion. The Greater Panorama Route between Lydenburg, Ohrigstad and Hazyview provide numerous scenic attractions and pretty historic towns like Pilgrim's Rest and Sabie, which are well worth a visit. Map of the Panorama Route
Forest near Sabie Copyright: South African Tourism
Sabie - a tranquil, malaria-free holiday destination that caters for the whole family - with hiking & back packing, fly fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, white-water rafting, rock climbing & abseiling, bird watching, 4x4 trips, sightseeing, and shopping for African arts, crafts & curious.
Sabie is less than four hours drive from the Johannesburg International Airport, a relaxing hour's drive to & from the Kruger National Park, and within minutes from a number of spectacular waterfalls in pristine mountain streams.
Graskop is the closest to the scenic wonders of the Panorama Route such as God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the world renown Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondawels, as well as spectacular waterfalls such as Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls and Mac Mac Falls.
Graskop, at an altitude of 1,400 m above sea level, has a temperate climate with a high rainfall and is often misty in the summer months. Graskop is a popular tourist destination and is renown for it's pancake bars and curio shops.
Royal Hotel in Pilgrim's Rest Copyright: South African Tourism
The history of this small delightful village dates back to 1873 when a miner, Alex Patterson, discovered alluvial gold on the farm named Ponieskrantz. Though the discovery was kept as a secret, the inevitable happened when a second prospector William Trafford also discovered gold close by. What they had found in this beautiful valley drew optimistic panners and prospectors from all over the country and the World. On 22nd September 1873 Pilgrim's Rest was officially proclaimed a gold field and the scatter of tents and rudimentary shacks soon grew into a flourishing little village complete with sturdy brick houses, church, shops, canteens, a newspaper and the well-known Royal Hotel. The diggers called it Pilgrim's Rest because here, at last, after so many false trails and faded dreams they had truly found their home.
In due course the alluvial deposits were depleted and the locals turned to forestry, but their village, whose residents still number in the hundreds, has been painstakingly preserved as a "living museum" and major South African tourist venue.
Aloes near Ohrigstad Copyright: www.ingrids-welt.de
Ohrigstad village and -valley nestles in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, at close proximity to the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Potholes. Ohrigstad, the oldest town on the Panorama Route was founded in 1845 by Hendrik Potgieter, the well-known Voortrekker leader. The scenic Ohrigstad valley combined with the panorama and plenty activities make for the ideal weekend breakaway. Ohrigstad has a wide variety of accommodation to choose from, ranging from bed and breakfast establishments to game lodges and guest farms. Ohrigstad is 1,166m above sea level. It's location causes very pleasant climatic conditions year round making it an ideal tourist destination or stop over to plenty other destinations.
Long Tom Pass between Lydenburg and Sabie Copyright: South African Tourism
The town was founded in 1848 after a fatal outbreak of malaria in the original village of Ohrigstad. The settlers were relocated in a fertile valley at the foot of the Long Tom Pass, hoping to curb the loss of life caused in malaria infected areas. The settlers named their new home Lydenburg, meaning Suffering Town of in memory of their grief. Bordering Lydenburg is the Gustav Klingbiel Nature Reserve, home to many wild animals and birds but also to another astonishing historical treasure. A gentle 5km hike, to the extensive ruins of Stone Age villages dating to before 1500 AD, showing both living quarters and agricultural terraces, is well worth the effort. With its high mountains, rolling grasslands and spectacular scenery Lydenburg is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and secures its place on the must visit list in Mpumalanga.
