Scenic drives with cozy endpoints

Some road trips don’t require ticking off landmarks or covering a particular distance, but taking the slow, scenic route that lets you take in all your surroundings.

These South African drives offer just that. They end in inviting towns, mountain hideaways, or coastal cottages that entice you to stay a little longer. Here’s your shortlist of the country’s most rewarding drives and the cozy places to park off at the end.

Route 62 to Montagu or Barrydale

Route 62 between Montagu and Ashton/Hendrik van den Berg/Wikimedia Commons

Running between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, Route 62 is the quieter, more scenic cousin to the N2 — a winding journey through vineyards, wide Karoo plains, and charming historic towns. It’s especially rewarding in spring, when the veld bursts into colour with blooming wildflowers. Along the way, Montagu makes for a classic stopover, with elegant stays like Jonkmanshof or the relaxed, family-friendly Glen Eden Farm.

A little further on, Barrydale charms with its mix of eccentric and cosy — the Karoo Art Hotel is full of character, while Sandy’s Place offers a quiet garden setting perfect for unwinding. For those who don’t mind a small detour, Calitzdorp is worth considering too — it’s known for its fortified wines and rustic vineyard cottages, ideal for a port-fuelled sunset.

Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert

South African Tourism/Wikimedia Commons

This gravel mountain pass snakes through the dramatic folds of the Swartberg range, linking Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert in one of the country’s most breathtaking drives. The road is steep, narrow, and thrilling, with views that stretch across layered ridges and deep ravines. At the end of it all lies Prince Albert, a Karoo gem where time slows down.

Settle in at Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse, where heritage charm meets mountain views, or the Olive Thrush Cottage, a peaceful spot with all the comforts of home. If you’re looping back toward Oudtshoorn, consider stopping at Meiringspoort for a gentler canyon drive framed by towering rock walls and hidden waterfalls.

ALSO READ: South Africa’s strangest hiking trails

Panorama Route to the Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Panorama Route/Claudirene/Wikiemedia Commons

Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route is a showstopper — a winding trail of misty forests, tumbling waterfalls, and dramatic escarpment views. Highlights include God’s Window, the Three Rondavels, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, all within reach of a day’s drive. Base yourself in Hazyview for forest seclusion at Tanamera Lodge, where private decks overlook the Sabie River valley, or opt for Graskop, where Highgrove House blends colonial elegance with warm hospitality. For something quieter, treehouse stays near Sabie or riverside lodges overlooking the Blyde River Canyon add a wilder edge to your overnight escape.

Midlands Meander to Nottingham Road

Natal Midlands/Aleph500Adam/Wikimedia Commons

Rolling green hills, farm stalls, craft breweries, and misty mornings — the Midlands Meander is an inland escape rich in slow-travel pleasures. As you wander through the KwaZulu-Natal countryside, stop for handmade cheese, local gin, or a forest walk before heading to Nottingham Road for the night.

Stay at the indulgent Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, known for its gourmet meals and romantic setting, or opt for Brahman Hills, where self-catering cottages are tucked into quiet landscapes. If you’re chasing waterfalls, base yourself in Howick, or for something more off-grid, Curry’s Post offers seclusion in spades.

Chapman’s Peak Drive to Noordhoek

Chapman’s Peak/Zwivhuya/Unsplash

Chapman’s Peak Drive may be short, but it packs in all the drama — sheer cliffs on one side, the Atlantic Ocean on the other, and golden light spilling over both. Whether you start from Hout Bay or Noordhoek, this is a drive to savour. Noordhoek itself offers a relaxed village atmosphere with barefoot luxury at its heart.

Noordhoek Farm Village is a great base for exploring, with restaurants, art studios, and farm stalls within walking distance, while nearby thatched-roof cottages offer seclusion and sea views. If you’d prefer something even quieter, the nearby coastal towns of Kommetjie and Scarborough are ideal for wave-watching and reading in hammocks.

Clarence Drive to Pringle Bay or Betty’s Bay

Clarence Drive/Gustav Ludick/Wikimedia Commons

The R44 coastal road from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond, known as Clarence Drive, is one of the most photogenic routes in the Western Cape. It hugs the Kogelberg coastline, curving between rugged mountains and a crashing sea. At the end of the drive, settle into Pringle Bay or Betty’s Bay — both are small, scenic, and perfect for travellers wanting peace and proximity to nature.

Self-catering cottages and seaside Airbnbs are plentiful, often with ocean-facing decks or fireplaces for cooler evenings. Pringle Bay has a handful of restaurants and an easygoing vibe, while Betty’s Bay offers access to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden and the Stony Point penguin colony. For more buzz, keep going to Hermanus — especially during whale season.

Golden Gate Highlands Drive to Clarens

Golden Gate Highlands National Park/Pavel Špindler/Wikimedia Commons

The R712 through Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a quiet but striking drive, surrounded by sandstone cliffs that change colour with the light. This Free State route is especially beautiful in the late afternoon when the mountains glow golden, true to their name. Just beyond the park lies Clarens, a mountain town beloved for its art galleries, craft beer, and crisp air.

Stay in a sandstone cottage tucked beneath the hills, or check into St Fort Country House for wide-open spaces and warm hospitality. For an even more remote experience, take a detour to Fouriesburg or drive the lesser-known Route 26 through rolling farmland and quiet dorps.

Wild Coast Meander to Coffee Bay or Hogsback (Eastern Cape)

Coffee Bay/Jon Rawlinson/Wikimedia Commons

A journey into the Wild Coast is an adventure in itself—expect winding gravel roads, roaming cattle, and some of the most untouched coastal scenery in the country. Starting from East London or Mthatha, the road to Coffee Bay passes through lush hills and traditional Xhosa villages. Once there, you can fall asleep to the sound of the sea at the Ocean View Hotel or go fully off-grid at the community-run Bulungula Lodge.

Inland, the forested village of Hogsback offers a completely different kind of magic—misty mountains, waterfalls, and storybook cottages like those at Away with the Fairies or The Edge. Chintsa and Morgan Bay are great alternatives if you prefer easier access and sweeping beach views.

Namaqua Drive to Kamieskroon or Niewoudtville (Northern Cape)

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Driving through Namaqualand is like travelling through a dream, especially in flower season (August to September), when the dusty landscape explodes in vibrant blooms. From Springbok, gravel backroads lead you through wide skies, red earth, and fields of colour to tiny towns like Kamieskroon and Niewoudtville.

In Kamieskroon, the Namaqua Flower Camp is a seasonal favourite, while the Kamieskroon Hotel is a vintage stop with Karoo charm. Nieuwoudtville, often called the bulb capital of the world, offers serene stays at Papkuilsfontein or tucked-away stone cottages with nothing but sky and silence for company. Further off the beaten track, the Tankwa Karoo is a stark, silent counterpoint—perfect for solitude seekers.

Tips for scenic stays

• Start with the stay: Sometimes the best road trips are planned around a great guesthouse or hideout.
• Avoid weekends if you want solitude: Midweek drives offer fewer crowds and better availability.
• Download your maps: Some of the best routes have no signal—a plus if you’re craving disconnection.