The 7 Passes Road on the Garden Route makes for an incredible ride through indigenous forest, over old bridges, through farmlands and with views of lakes and the Outeniqua Mountains. The rain that day never stopped the fun.
The road varies from tar to solid dirt. We only road a section, turning off the N2 in Knysna and passing through Rheenendal, Barrington and Karatara. At Hoekwil, instead of carrying on to George, we veered down the back of Wilderness and Sedgefield so as to view the lakes and island.
It’s well worth your time to stop in the little places. Maybe stock-up with Leeuwenbosch Farm Stall’s cheese and homemade sauces for a picnic. Or boost yourself with coffee there. They have a great view over a valley with the mountains in the distance. Take a drive through Karatara. It’s fascinating as the place that time seemingly forgot.
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Which road from Knysna does one take to do the 7 passes route ?
Hi, Joan. The quickest would be the Rheenedal turn-off. As you’re leaving Knysna, heading towards Cape Town, it’s the second road after the bridge over the Knysna Estuary.