4 roadtrips in the Western Cape

There’s not much better than an old-fashioned roadtrip with loved ones. Everyone needs an escape from their busy lives every now and then. The fresh air will do you good. This is the perfect opportunity to de-stress and leave all your troubles behind. It’s a chance to make fond memories. Everyone should go on at least one roadtrip in a lifetime. And what better way than to do it locally?

The Western Cape has plenty of exquisite and relatively short roadtrips to embark on. It’s easy to escape your busy life for an afternoon drive or a week-long roadtrip. Every road in the Western Cape leads to somewhere beautiful. But the most beautiful thing might be the roadtrip itself. Make yourself ready to have your nose glued to the window when you’re driving past the big mountains, the curve of the ocean or rolling through stretches of green and gold fields.

We always say we want to go away for a weekend and never get to do it because it’s not in our budget. But in South Africa, the Western Cape particularly, you can go away every weekend of the year even if you’re on a restricted budget. And you’ll get to experience different places every time.

So, if you’re a local or a tourist, here are a few popular roadtrips to do.

Franschhoek and the Winelands

Are you perhaps interested to have a full-day of fun? Well, Franschhoek and the picturesque Winelands are the perfect places to spend your day. The beautiful 160-year-old town is just as beautiful as it was back in the day. And it still offers some of the most breath-taking Winelands views. While there, you can either go on a full-day wine tram or go for a pizza and wine pairing. Or even better, why not do both? The Franschhoek Pass stretch between the town itself and Villiersdorp. It’s one of the oldest engineered roads in South Africa and is accessible to all vehicle types and offer beautiful views.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

This is a popular route among tourist and even locals. Many people love taking this route around the mountain, even though it takes a bit longer. If you’re planning to do this roadtrip, make yourself ready for the most beautiful and unspoiled view of the Atlantic from the outer side of the iconic Table Mountain. This roadtrip cannot be explored without a stop in one of the fishermen’s villages for a fresh portion of fish and chips. It’s simply a must-have.  And once you get to the other side, get out of your car, sit on the bonnet and enjoy an ice-cream with a view.

Experience the beauty of the West Coast

If a beautiful trip with the best views is what you’re after, then a roadtrip to the West Coast would be the go-to spot. The West Coast reaches as far as Namibia and there are many attractions along the way. Some of these include the floral kingdom in Darling and the magnificent beach of Bloubergstrand. Along your way, you’ll pass the iconic West Coast towns such as Velddrif, Paternoster and Melkbosstrand. So, if you want to get away from your busy city life, jumping in your car and heading off to the West Coast is the perfect get away.

Route 62

Are you a wine lover? Well, then this is for you. Route 62 is the longest wine route in the Western Cape. It’s a popular route and one that should be on everyone’s bucket list. This well-known wine route includes towns like Wellington, Tulbagh, Robertson and the Klein Karoo. This route has up to 70 farms and 11 of those are specialist brandy cellars. Along the way you’re also likely to find fruit orchards and farm stalls. When you see this beautiful route, you’ll agree that this one is a winner.

So, what are you waiting for? Jump in your car and head out on a roadtrip. But before you hit the road, do a full inspection of your car. Check everything from the tyres to the water and oil. Many people realise, after checking, that their car isn’t in good enough shape to go on a long roadtrip. Maybe it’s the perfect time to buy a new one? It doesn’t have to be one out of the box, there are many pre-owned cars available at affordable prices. So, do that before hitting the road.

Roadtrips can be fun, especially if you’re considering one of these four. As the well-known author Emma Chase said “The greatest part of a roadtrip isn’t arriving at your destination. It’s all about the wild stuff that happens along the way.” So, remember to leave your worries at home and have fun.