Meiringspoort

The Meiringspoort road along the gorge of the usually small river called Grootrivier (great river), cuts through the Swartberge without significant change in elevation. Level passing from Little Karoo to Great Karoo or vice versa means travelling for several kilometres in close proximity to some majestic cliffs and steep slopes of the tall Swartberge towering over the road, almost all the way between Klaarstroom and De Rust.

The road passes only a few metres above the water level, crossing the river more than 20 times in the pass. Several disastrous floods, brief but tumultuous events, during which the little river sporadically and spectacularly convinced all spectators of its greatness, have damaged, even demolished this pass through the Swartberge over the years.

First opened in 1858, the road was improved much every time the civil engineers had occasion to adapt their techniques after yet again being trumped by the raging river. Who knows if or when a still bigger flood is yet to come?

The experience of passing through Meiringspoort clarifies without the need for words why these mountains form part of the Cape Floristic Region, one of the eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa.