Two South African routes included in ‘most scenic drives in the world’ list

There’s just nothing quite like a road trip. A recipe for the ultimate in weekend happiness is as easy as starting your car, priming that playlist and making sure there’s enough in the tank to last you a good few beautiful kilometres, singing along, enjoying that open road and not too much of an agenda.

Us Saffers have it pretty good down here in the south. We know that, unlike our foreign visitors who experience the magic for the first time, all we need to do to remember what a beautiful home country we have is to simply get out there and explore it. Mountains, beaches, vineyards and game parks await – all connected by stretches of the open road and some of South Africa’s most unsurpassable backdrops.

It’s also great to get a little recognition on occasion. We may know home is the best, but it’s great when others give you the proverbial nod as well. Thanks to the international travel collective known as Big 7 Travel, we’ve recently be included in their top 50 most scenic drives/ routes in the world — all offering some pretty spectacular and breathtaking views.

The list is available online and features the likes of Norway’s majestic fjords, Australia’s Martian landscape and, California’s dreamy coastline and, most importantly: Two iconic routes right here in our hometown.

These are some of our most scenic drives right here on home soil

Iconic in every way and serving as a gateway between Cape Town and the South Peninsula, Chapman’s Peak offers up some of the most stunning views on the planet. Cyclists and cars alike wind along these ragged-edged cliffs, famed for their beauty and backdrop of mountains and seemingly ever-stretching hues of blue way below.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Clarence Drive, Route 44

Forming part of the famous Route 44, Clarence Drive is every bit as beautiful as Chapman’s, but minus the toll. This coastal stretch hugs the incredibly scenic coast stretching from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els.

If you aren’t scared of bends, you’ll love this road for its 70 or so twists and turns that showcase the turquoise backdrop on one side and the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the other.

The Panorama Route

Steeped in historical relevance, this route in Mpumalanga is centred on the Blyde River Canyon and features the world’s third-largest canyon, forests, waterfalls and numerous natural landmarks.

Beginning at the foot of the Long Tom Pass just outside Lydenburg, following a descent to the Lowveld and ending at the border of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces near the Echo Caves, it’s no wonder this one earned its place in the world’s top 50 feature.

Route 62

Spanning 850km between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, this famed local route has it all. It also happens to be one of the world’s longest wine routes, covering the wine hotspots of Wellington, Tulbagh, Robertson and Worcester.

From tribal art to tastings with some mountain climbs, fishing hotspots and perhaps even an ostrich ride in between, it’s no wonder why this route has put South Africa on the map when it comes to scenic drives to tick off the bucket list.

West Coast Flower Route

Fancy seeing the usually arid areas of the Cape West Coast and the semi-desert of Namaqualand at a time when they transform into a dreamlike floral wonderland? You’ll soon see why travellers, photographers and botanists fly in from around the globe for this feat for the eyes.

From late July/ early August, these wild flowers begin flowering first in the north (in Namaqualand) and then roll out through the Cederberg and ultimately towards the West Coast in the beginning of September. This is heliotropism at its most beautiful.

What are you waiting for? Call your friends and start the car already…