Ladismith

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Geography and history

Ladismith is situated in the Eden region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The Klein Swartberg mountain range towers above the town, with six peaks to climb, the biggest challenge being Towerkop with its split peak. The best way to experience the surroundings is being outside in the unpolluted air of the Klein Karoo, with blue skies and mountains and at night only the twinkling stars above you and the silence around you.

Activities

Towerkop is just one of the nearby peaks that make this area a nature lover and hiker’s delight. You can grace the split peak in a day, if you’re fit, or you can attempt the Elandsberg hiking trail, a 12 km route to Stanley’s light, which brings us to the final delightful myth of Ladismith.

The area is in the very core of one of the ecological “hot –spots” in South Africa, being home to an extremely rich and unique biodiversity. Vegetation ranges from Fynbos in the mountains to broken veld, spekboom and succulent Karoo on the koppies and plains. Mountain bike and 4x4 trails take you up hills and mountains, through riverbeds, valleys and the magnificent Seweweekspoort which runs through the mountain range with its winding road and spectacular rock formations, with Seweweekspoort peak the highest (2 325 m) in the Western Cape.

Several buildings have been declared National Monuments. Fruit (fresh and dried), cheese and wines and well-known products of the town and district. Recreation includes bird watching, horse riding, 4x4 routes, golf, bowls, badminton, squash, rugby and cricket.Amalienstein/Zoar: Former Berlin mission stations east of Ladismith. Visit the multicoloured church built in 1853 and walk through vineyards and orchards.