Best of the West Coast – Paarl to Paternoster Circular Route
Best of the West Coast – Paarl to Paternoster Circular Route
Distance: 344 km
Driving time: If you drive 100km on average, the trip will take you just over 5 hours (this does not include stops in between for site seeing)
Route: Paarl – Malmesbury – Hopefield – Vredenburg – Paternoster – Saldanha – Darling – Malmesbury – Paarl
Take a drive to the West Coast over the weekend and discover a world of peaceful villages, rugged coast lines, endless stretches of beach and warm, friendly folk. The West Coast’s Mediterranean climate promises long, sun-drenched summer days, green winters and in spring time, fields of indigenous flora fed by cool ocean mists.
Paarl to Malmesbury
45km
When you are on the road to Malmesbury, you’ll immediately be aware that you have entered the beautiful Swartland with it’s golden wheatfields swaying gently in the wind interspersed with wine, fruit and olive plantations that give rise to a patchwork quilt of colour.
Local Swartland foodies agree that this is an area not to be missed. Small owner/chef-run eateries, cosy coffee shops and larger-scale restaurants offer a huge range and variety of meals, most prepared with fresh produce sourced in the area and many made to old family recipes.
Regular farmers’ and street markets offers a wide spectrum of delights for all the sense.Here you can buy anything from homegrown veggies in season to free-range eggs and poultry, homemade cakes, sweets and savoury dishes, freshly baked bread and, of course, olives in every shape and form, from oils, pickles, spreads and tapanades to soaps, creams and shampoos.
AnnexKloof Padstal (formerly Cheese Mouse & Wine Fly) is situated alongside the N7 about 10 km north of Malmesbury.
At AnnexKloof Padstal you will find delicious farm treats, from Kudu biltong and Springbok Jaffels to dried fruit and olives.
Here you can also find vintage décor,lovely gifts and a variety of cheeses 7 days a week.They also offer wine tasting over weekends.
There’s an enclosure with ducks, chickens, potbellied pigs and other small game; kids can experience the excitement of feeding these animals close-up with feed bought on the premises.
Malmesbury to Hopefield
58 km
Hopefield is half way between Malmesbury and Vredenburg, 115 km from Cape Town. Hopefield’s claim to fame is that it is the oldest town on the West Coast. Not only does it lie in the heart of the Sandveld but it serves as the wheat and sheep farming centre of the region. It is also well known for its honey, not least because over 500 different species of fynbos grow here. In spring the area surrounding the town, particularly towards Berg River Station and Langebaan Road, becomes a multicoloured tapestry of flowers.
The town is situated along the eastern bank of the creek which turns into a river in winter. As a result, it is always attractively green around the town. Fossils were discovered, including the skull of the so-called ‘Saldanha Man’, a replica of which is part of the display in the information office picturing life in the region some five hundred thousand years ago. The nearby Fossil Park is a treat for all visitors to the west coast with intrigues such as giant pigs, short-necked giraffes and a massive bear that has become the park’s mascot.
Hopefield to Vredenburg
41 km
Your next stop is Vredenburg which was established around a spring of fresh drinking water. It was named Twisfontein (‘Quarrel Spring’) and later Prosesfontein (‘Lawsuit Spring’) because the rights to it caused so many disputes between two neighbouring farmers. Water is a scarce commodity on the West Coast, so water rights were highly coveted.
Peace finally reigned when the now pale pink Dutch Reformed Church in the main street was built not far from the disputed spring. The town was promptly renamed Vredenburg, or ‘Peaceful Town’, which is the way it’s been ever since. Vredenburg is the commercial hub for the surrounding farming community, and it’s a place to shop, catch a movie or a meal out.
Vredenburg to Paternoster
14 km
Quaint and unspoilt, Paternoster is well appointed with 4 restaurants, a lodge, a hotel and more than 60 accommodation establishments offering typical South African hospitality and spectacular views. The perfect place to stay over for the evening if you want to make it a weekend break away and if your lucky, be able to eat crayfish.
The ideal place for long romantic walks on the beach and it’s spectacular sunsets. Not surprisingly, couples from around the world choose Patenoster to propose, get engaged or married, spend their honeymoon or celebrate wedding anniversaries.
Nearby Tietiesbaai offers camping facilities and, of course, the Cape Columbine Lighthouse is always worth a visit.
Paternoster must rank as one of the finest sea kayaking spots in South Africa. Dramatic scenic panoramas are complemented by a rich variety of animal life, seals, dolphins, whales and birds. No experience of kayaking is necessary because all trips are guided by a competent guide and kayaks are very stable.
Paternoster to Saldana
29 km
The picturesque harbour town of Saldanha is essentially motivated by export and the fishing industry, and crayfish, fish, mussels, oysters and seaweed drive the economy.
The sheltered harbour here is dominated by the Sishen-Saldanha iron-ore project and is home to a Naval training base, the South African Military Academy and a whole fleet of fishing vessels that add a particular character to the bay. This largely unspoilt part of the world is also home to seagulls, cormorants, Cape gannets, duikers and terns that tend to outnumber humans by about a million to one and eco-tourism is popular.
Saldanha bay and Langebaan lagoon, on the south side of the bay, are very popular amongst the yachting fraternity and game fishing devotees – yellowtail and tuna are easy catches and snoek is available in winter.
There is plenty of fresh sea air in the bay, with its five islands and abundant sea life, and it is a favourite amongst kite surfers and skiers and offers unrivalled fishing, deep sea diving and whale and dolphin watching opportunities.
Saldanha to Darling
80 km
Darling is the heartbeat of the West Coast region. The little village lies tucked away between hills of vineyards and golden wheat fields. Here you can still expect to see a horseman cantering through the streets on a Saturday afternoon. A gaggle of geese might waddle into a neighbour’s garden to forage. You may witness a funeral procession accompanied by the consolatory gospel sounds of a traditional brass band. Lovingly restored Victorian homes and ancient trees make an idyllic setting.
The Darling Wind Farm is one of two demonstration wind farm sites. The local Darling community is a shareholder in the wind farm, with plans to begin benefitting from phase two.
You can drive fairly close to the wind turbines, if you’re after some photographs. Against the blue of the Cape Town sky, they appear particularly photogenic. The turbines rise some 50 metres above the ground, which is like staring up at a 17 storey building when you’re at ground level.
Traditionally known for its spectacular wild flowers,Darling has become the home of well-known South African satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys’s theatre, Evita se Perron, a cabaret venue and restaurant in Darling, named after his alter-ego, Evita Bezuidenhout.
Darling to Paarl (Via Malmesbury)
78 km
Source: darlingtourism.co.za & sa-venues.com