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The Swartberg Mountains, the Pass, "die Hel" & Prince Albert

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Swartberg Mountains
The Swartberg mountain range stretches for 220 km and separates the semi deserts of the Klein and Great Karoo. The San named these mountains “Cango” which means water mountains. On the mountains many small brooks and rivers rise.
Swartberg Pass links up Prince Albert with the Klein Karoo region. It is known as one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Southern Africa. Travelling from Prince Albert you have to pass a canyon-like, narrow gorge and wind your way up to the top of the mountains (1.568m and about 1.220m above Oudtshoorn). Up in the mountains some nice proteas and other fynbos vegetation can be seen. From the top you can enjoy endless views over the Klein Karoo and the Outeniqua mountains towards the Indian Ocean. As this pass is not tarred it should not be driven in rainy ("snowy") weather.
The Swartberg mountains are a hiker’s paradise. Most of them need a permit that can be obtained at Prince Albert tourism information.
 
The Gamkaskloof or "Die Hel"
The Hell can be reached off Swartberg Pass on a bumpy road. Calculate about 2 hours (50km) for the drive to Gamkaskloof/Die Hel. Once reached the end of this valley you'll find excellent hiking possibilities. The previously almost “inaccessible” The Hell awaits you with nature of its best. Self-catering cottages can be booked. Guided tours (from Prince Albert...) to the scenic beauty of the Swartberg region offer are offered.You can stay here overnight. If you do a day tour don't forget to have enough time for the area!
Some early settlers chose to live in Gamkaskloof in the 19th century. It was only in the 1960s, some hundred years later, that a road was developed. The last settler left the area in the 1990s. Today only some nature conservationists of SA National Parks live here permanently. 

Prince Albert
…is a typical South African village in the semi-desert of the interior (Karoo). It is the gateway to Swartberg Pass that links up Klein Karoo with the huge inland plateau. The village was founded in 1842 and named after the husband of the then British Queen. There are plenty old houses in Main Street built in Cape Dutch style. This peaceful village still has the atmosphere of yesteryear. Although situated in a semi-desert Prince Albert is known for its fruit production. Water for irrigation comes from the Swartberg mountain range.
During the last view years Prince Albert is very popular with artists, many people chose to live here.

Tourism offers
map 1/7. Klein Karoo
A. Wilgemond Farm

map 1 all offers