RoadAtlas
Route 62 — South Africa — Food
Africa

Route 62

South Africa

Point-to-point
Cape Town Oudtshoorn

In short: Route 62 is a 450 km food road trip in South Africa, typically driven over 4–6 days, best in Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Highlights: Cape Town, Paarl, Worcester.

Distance
450 km
Duration
4–6 days
Best Season
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
NotableEasyFoodEV-friendly

The longest wine route in the world winds through the Breede River Valley and Little Karoo, past fruit farms, ostrich ranches, and the Swartberg Mountains, connecting Cape winelands to the edge of the great Karoo.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Most of Route 62 is sealed and easy to drive, but some stretches are long and remote between towns, especially after Barrydale. Carry water, fuel up in larger towns, and watch for livestock, farm traffic, and sudden rain or fog in winter months.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Cape Town to Robertson via Paarl and Worcester

Taal Monument · Worcester Museum · Bread & Butter Bakery and Café

Day 2Robertson to Montagu

Robertson Wine Valley Cellar Tour · Montagu Village Museum · Viljoensdrift Fine Wines

Day 3Barrydale to Calitzdorp

Seweweekspoort Pass · Barrydale Handweavers · Diesel and Crème

Day 4Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn

Cango Caves · Safari Ostrich Farm · Boplaas Family Vineyards

Stops along the route

Cape Town — Departure — Route 62 — South Africa
Departure
Cape Town
Route 62 begins here, heading northeast through the Winelands toward Paarl and the Breede River Valley.
Hotels
Paarl — City — Route 62 — South Africa
City
Paarl
Third-oldest European settlement in South Africa. KWV cellars here rank among the world's largest wine co-operatives.
Hotels
Worcester — City — Route 62 — South Africa
City
Worcester
Gateway to the Breede River Valley, flanked by the Hex River Mountains. The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is on the edge of town.
Hotels
Robertson — City — Route 62 — South Africa
City
Robertson
Wine and rose capital of the Breede River Valley. Cooler nights yield exceptional Chardonnay beneath white limestone cliffs.
Hotels
Montagu — City — Route 62 — South Africa
City
Montagu
Victorian spa town in narrow Kogmanskloof valley. Hot sulphurous springs and world-class rock climbing on red sandstone cliffs above town.
Hotels
Ladismith — City — Route 62 — South Africa
City
Ladismith
Nestled beneath the Towerkop peak of the Swartberg range. Cheese factories and fruit cooperatives line the valley floor through town.
Hotels
Show 1 more
Oudtshoorn — Arrival — Route 62 — South Africa
Arrival
Oudtshoorn
Ostrich capital of the world. Victorian feather palaces line the streets; the Cango Caves beneath the Swartberg are vast limestone caverns.
Hotels

Things to Do

Cango Caves — Cave Exploration — Route 62 — South Africa
Cave Exploration
Cango Caves
Explore vast limestone chambers and intricate formations in one of South Africa's oldest tourist attractions.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve — Wildlife Reserve — Route 62 — South Africa
Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
An optional overnight splurge off the Montagu-Barrydale stretch: a Big Five reserve with luxury lodge stays across unique semi-desert landscapes.
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden — Botanical Garden — Route 62 — South Africa
Botanical Garden
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
Discover a diverse collection of desert flora in a beautifully landscaped setting.
Robertson Wine Valley Cellar Tour — Winery — Route 62 — South Africa
Winery
Robertson Wine Valley Cellar Tour
Taste Chardonnay and other cool-climate wines at one of Robertson's cellar doors, the town's real claim to fame on this food-and-wine route.
Safari Ostrich Farm — Farm Tour — Route 62 — South Africa
Farm Tour
Safari Ostrich Farm
A working show farm just outside Oudtshoorn offering guided tours of ostrich rearing, with the chance to hand-feed or (for the brave) ride an ostrich.
Ronnie's Sex Shop — Landmark Bar — Route 62 — South Africa
Landmark Bar
Ronnie's Sex Shop
A legendary roadside farm-stall-turned-bar between Barrydale and Ladismith, its cheeky name and graffiti-covered walls making it one of Route 62's most photographed pit stops.

Where to Eat

Barrydale — Food & Drink — Route 62 — South Africa
Food & Drink
Barrydale
Tiny town with an outsized reputation. Diesel and Creme is a legendary roadside cafe; fynbos hillsides burn with proteas in season.
Calitzdorp — Food & Drink — Route 62 — South Africa
Food & Drink
Calitzdorp
South Africa's port wine capital. Small cellars produce port from Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca grown on red clay soils.
Diesel and Crème — Diner — Route 62 — South Africa
Diner
Diesel and Crème
A vintage-style diner in Barrydale known for its gourmet milkshakes and hearty meals.
La Mont Cheese — Cheese Tasting — Route 62 — South Africa
Cheese Tasting
La Mont Cheese
Offers a variety of artisanal cheeses with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.
Cape Dry Montagu Farmstall — Farm Stall — Route 62 — South Africa
Farm Stall
Cape Dry Montagu Farmstall
A farm stall in Montagu offering a selection of dried fruits, nuts, and local delicacies.
Joubert-Tradauw Wines — Winery — Route 62 — South Africa
Winery
Joubert-Tradauw Wines
A family-run winery in Barrydale offering wine tastings and a charming bistro.
Show 3 more
Viljoensdrift Fine Wines — Winery — Route 62 — South Africa
Winery
Viljoensdrift Fine Wines
Offers wine tastings and river cruises along the Breede River in Robertson.
Boplaas Family Vineyards — Port Cellar — Route 62 — South Africa
Port Cellar
Boplaas Family Vineyards
A historic Calitzdorp port cellar offering tastings of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca ports grown on the town's red clay soils.
Jemima's Restaurant — South African — Route 62 — South Africa
South African
Jemima's Restaurant
A long-running Oudtshoorn favourite serving hearty South African dishes, including ostrich specialties, in a homely setting.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Route 62 drive?

The Route 62 covers 450 km from start to finish.

How long does the Route 62 take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4–6 days on the Route 62, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Route 62?

The recommended season for the Route 62 is Mar–May, Sep–Nov.

Where does the Route 62 start and end?

The Route 62 runs from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn.

What are the main stops on the Route 62?

The Route 62 passes through Cape Town, Paarl, Worcester.

How difficult is the Route 62 to drive?

The Route 62 is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Route 62 in a regular car?

Yes — the Route 62 is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Route 62?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Route 62, based on its 450 km length.

Is the Route 62 EV friendly?

Yes — the Route 62 has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Route 62 safe to drive?

Most of Route 62 is sealed and easy to drive, but some stretches are long and remote between towns, especially after Barrydale. Carry water, fuel up in larger towns, and watch for livestock, farm traffic, and sudden rain or fog in winter months.

What scenic tier is the Route 62?

The Route 62 is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.