The Ruens to De Hoop - 310km

The mountain has at least 12 endemic plant species, among them a small ground protea (Protea denticulata), the potbergensis subspecies of Protea aurea and a wild tea bush (Aspalathus potbergensis). Facilities for day visitors include an interpretation centre, picnic sites and two day walks.

The Klipspringer Trail is a 5-km circular route, while the Potberg Trail is a 4-km route to the summit of the mountain from where there are fine views over the Breede River valley and the reserve. The Potberg environmental education centre is used by organised groups, especially schools.

MALGAS

During the period 1757 to 1894, several pont crossings were in operation on the Breede River. The crossing at Malgas, a small settlement on the western bank of the river, came into use in 1830. When the original wooden pont eventually sank, it was replaced with a steel one which was washed away in the great flood of 1906. The current pont 1, introduced in 1914, is the only remaining hand-driven pont in South Africa.

In addition to serving as a pont crossing, Malgas became a busy inland port during the mid-1800s, when it was a terminus for the trading firm of Barry and Nephews. Instead of using the arduous overland trek, goods were brought from the Cape by sea to Port Beaufort at the mouth of the Breede River. After negotiating the sandbanks at the mouth of the river, the vessels steamed the 48 km upstream to Malgas where cargo was offloaded and products destined for the Cape taken on board.

PORT BEAUFORT

Established in 1817 as a point of communication with the interior, Port Beaufort was named after the Earl of Beaufort, father of Lord Charles Somerset, on whose instructions the estuary was surveyed. Under the trading firm of Barry and Nephews, established in the early 1820s, Port Beaufort developed into a thriving settlement, with a shop, warehouses and approximately 20 houses. On 26 September 1859, the firm's specially built steamer, Kadie, steamed up the Breede River to Malgas on her maiden voyage.

Over the next six years, she successfully completed 120 trips, until becoming stranded on rocks along the river bank on 17 November 1865. Soon afterwards, the company's fortunes began to decline, and after it ceased operations in 1882 the once-thriving port sank into obscurity. The small thatched church built in 1849 by Thomas Barry serves as a reminder of Port Beaufort's prosperous days.

WITSAND

...at the mouth of the Breede River, is renowned for its excellent fishing, and offers opportunities for both surf angling and fishing in the estuary. It also offers a wide range of water sports in the sea and on the river, while the long sandy beach has safe swimming.

HEIDELBERG

Established on the banks of the Duivenhoks River below the Langeberg, Heidelberg is the centre for the surrounding wheat and sheep farms. The town developed around a church established in 1855 to serve the farming community living in the area between Swellendam and Riversdale, and was named after the German city where the catechisms were originally drawn up.

BUFFELJAGSRIVIER

...is a small settlement and railway station named after the Buffeljags River, which was known by that name as early as 1676. The Afrikaans name means ‘buffalo hunt river', as it was a noted spot for hunting buffalo.