The beautiful Steenrug Farm lies 12km north of Clanwilliam on the Klaver Road. The farm is historically significant as the site of the very first rooibos tea plantation in 1904. The route begins at the lovely Cape Dutch farmhouse, which lies beneath the towering cliffs of Mount Synnot. After about 2km, the track passes an area where the endangered Elephant's Foot (Dioscorea elephantipes) grows, a plant threatened with extinction. Much of its large tuber sits above the ground and its knobby appearance is reminiscent of a tortoiseshell, or, as its name suggests, an elephant's foot. It contains the substance diosgenine from which cortisone is prepared, and is only one of many unusual plants to be found on the farm. After a short drive, the road turns off to a lovely waterfall on the Langhuis River, where some rock art can be seen. The route then climbs quite steeply upwards on rocky tracks and passes through a poplar grove, where a natural spring produces some of the purest of cool, mountain water that I've ever tasted. Up and onwards one goes until a large plateau is revealed. This is where the first rooibos tea was farmed. The road then proceeds to the lookout point on Mount Synnot, from where amazing views over Clanwilliam and the Olifantsriver valley can be enjoyed. Here one needs a head for heights as one ends up standing on the edge of a sheer cliff overlooking the farm way below. This area, I'm happy to report, is still very much home to the Cape leopard. They are seldom seen, but their spoor often cross the track. Nearby, at a rocky outcrop called Tandekop, good rock art can be seen right beside the track. From there the route circles the plateau and visits an attractive, shady grove of large bluegum trees. This spot, will soon become the campsite, complete with ablutions. Some parts of this route are quite sandy, providing a good variety of driving terrain. The circular track then rejoins the main track, at which point one can return down the mountain and back to the farm. Until the campsite is complete, there is no accommodation at Steenrug. Various accommodation options are available at the Clanwilliam dam. Alternatively there's a good campsite at Kliphuis, at the beginning of the Pakhuis Pass, and others at the Bulshoek Dam. Activities includes historical interest, unusual plants, beautiful rock art and swimming.(Information supplied by DriveOut Magazine).

Be the first to leave a comment.

Be the first to submit a link or media file

Be the first to submit a link