Self Drive Robertson to Villiersdorp

About Self Drive Robertson to Villiersdorp

Route: Robertson, McGregor, Riviersonderend, Greyton, Genadendal, Villiersdorp
Description: mountains, remote river valleys, quaint villages, oak trees and the odd gravel road
Length: roughly 250 km
Time: a day, at least
Overnight: Any of the villages is worth an overnight stay but our favourites are McGregor, Greyton and Robertson.

Head out of Robertson towards McGregor on the road past the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, taking a right at the first fork to McGregor. Enter McGregor over a little bridge. Stop and browse the stores, take tea in one of the restaurants or coffee shops, or simply stroll the streets to drink in the picturesque architecture. The gardens at Temenos are beautiful.

Leave McGregor the way you came, but at the end of the fork, turn right away from Robertson. Take a right at the fork, and then at the T-junction take a right onto the R317.

Head through the Stormsvleipoort with views of the Riviersonderend valley. Cross the Riviersonderend just before entering Stormsvlei.You can take time to explore or push on, turning right onto the N2 at the next T-junction.

At Riviersonderend, roughly 19 km along the N2, the Ou Tronk deserves a quick detour. Take a right from the N2 onto the R406. This is a lovely alternative route to Greyton, taking you into the outskirts of Greyton via a bridge.

Greyton, particularly over weekends, hums with markets, restaurants and shops. Lunch here if you can. Otherwise head to the nature reserve on the edge of town and take a walk into Noupoort and picnic at the reserve's entrance.

Leave from the south-west end of the high street towards Genadendal, literally 4 km outside of Greyton. The historic mission complex is worth a tour.

Leave Genadendal, taking a right briefly onto the R406 before taking another right along Aalwyn Avenue, crossing the Baviaans River shortly after. Follow the course of the Riversonderend, taking a right and then a left, before intersecting with the R43, at which you take a right before crossing the wall of the Theewaterskloof Dam and heading into Villiersdorp. If you continue out of town, after exploring, you reach the Rooihoogte pass where some 9 km later there is a picnic spot under oaks.

To complete the circle back to Robertson, head back via Worcester, taking the R43 and then the R60.