Ladismith

Ladismith is a town on Route 62 in the Klein Karoo Western C

Ladismith is a town in the Klein Karoo, South Africa and not to be confused with the Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Ladismith lies along Route 62, 300km east from Cape Town and 100km west from Oudtshoorn. Ladismith is famous for, amongst other things, Towerkop, the split mountain peak which looms over the town, Stanleys Light and the Royal Hotel.

Towerkop Mountain Peak (2189m) looms above Ladismith. Local legend has it that a witch, flying overhead, struck the peak in anger with her wand because it obstructed her passage over the mountain. Her anger resulted in Towerkops unique appearance - the peak is split in two. These two peaks are called the Pinnacles. There is a hiking trail leading up to Towerkop which can be completed in a day if you are fit.

Elandsberg (2128m) lies to the east of Towerkop. Halfway up this mountain youll find a famous landmark, sometimes referred to as Ladismiths extra star in the galaxy: Stanleys Light (1500m). Erected in 1963 by Stanley de Wit, an inhabitant of the town, it consisted of a bicycle lamp and dynamo being powered by a waterstream. An indication of the availability of water for the surrounding farms and the town itself was hereby established. It was rebuilt recently - a cars generator replaced the bicycle dynamo and a headlight the bicycle lamp.

You can walk all the way up to Stanleys Light and it should only take you a couple of hours. At least 60 tourist busses per month use Route 62 from Barrydale through Ladismith to Oudtshoorn and eventually to the South Coast. A wide variety of scenic routes are accessible from Ladismith. If one travels east through the beautiful Hoeko Valley, breathtaking views of orchards in the spring and autumn can be experienced. Turning into the Seweweekspoort pass, spectacular rock formations can be seen as the road follows the winding riverbed for 21km through the mountains and emerges in the Great Karoo. From here the N1 national road leads to Beaufort West and Gauteng.

Ladismith is the center for a prosperous farming community producing fruit (export grapes, apricots and plums), milk (for two cheese factories), wine, flowers and mutton. There are even some ostriches around! Ladismith produces about a third of South Africas apricots and the Ladismith Agricultural Co-operative markets the fruit locally and overseas. Ladismith is situated in a region that is considered to be the best quality milk-producing area in South Africa. Parmalat, one of the two cheese factories, uses about 100 million litres of milk annually. The other cheese factory, Ladismith Cheese, although a relatively new business, has already made huge inroads into the dairy market. A powder factory was recently erected on the premises. Ladismiths businesses are listed here.

Ladismith is unique in the sense that is has its own individual building style. The so-called Ladismith style is a simplified Georgian design and dates from the 1830s. Several other architectural styles, i.e. Neo-Gothic, Georgian, Victorian, Regency and Rural (Karoo) style, can also be found.

Named after one of the great beauties of the time, Lady Juana Smith, Spanish-born wife of Cape Governor Sir Harry Smith, Ladismith is situated at the foot of the Klein Swartberg. An unforgettable landmark is Towerkop (2197 m) with it’s split peak. Legend has it that an angry witch flew overhead and struck the mountain with her wand, causing the split and giving it the name ‘bewitched peak’. The town benefited from the ostrich feather boom at the turn of the century. It boasts some magnificent Victorian houses with varied architecture, including the unique Ladismith style. The district is renowned for it’s agriculture, producing fine wines and fruit, cheese, ostriches and other small stock.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Montagu 145 km, Oudtshoorn 97 km, Riverdale 91 km (via Gracia Pass).

HISTORICAL VIEW

Birthplace of CJ Langenhoven

The house where Langenhoven, one of South Africa’s foremost writers and poets was born, is situated in the hamlet of Hoeko.

NATURE

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Buffelspoort Mountain Resort

Ladismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve

This attractive reserve, property of the Ladismith Municipality, is situated approximately 4 km from the town. The vegetation consists mainly of Spekboom and Karooveld. Eland, mountain zebra, springbok, duikers and steenbok plus a variety of the smaller species such as tortoise, hare, jackal etc. can be seen. View by car or along the Klapperbos Hiking trail.

ATTRACTIONS

Hoeko Valley

Situated 10 km from Ladismith, the Hoeko Valley is one of the largest apricot-producing areas in South Africa.

Ladismith Co-op Winery

Best known for it’s superb white wines

Ladismith Cheese Factory

Parmalat Cheese Factory

Renown for it’s excellent cheese.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking Elandsberg Hiking Trail

A circular trail of 12,2 km. the highest point of the trail is close to the Stan’s Light at 1430 m above sea level. The peak of the Elandsberg (Toringberg) is 2126 m above sea level.

Klapperbos Hiking Trail

A 12,6 km / 4 hours circular trail located in the Ladismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve. The route offers magnificent mountain views. Be on the lookout for eland. Prolific birdlife.

Horse Riding

Anysberg Pony Trail

The Anysberg Nature Reserve offers a two day pony trail on quiet, well behaved horses and ponies. No previous riding experience is required. The circular trail starts at the Vrede homestead and meanders through typical Karoo landscape with a variety of veld types such as Renosterveld, Acacia thornveld, Karoid broken veld and succulent Karooveld. Along the route you’ll be able to quietly enjoy the magestic mountains which mostly consist of Bokkeveld shale. You are likely to spot mammals such as Duiker, Steenbok and Scrub hare. The abundant birdlife includes the impressive Gymnogene (Polyboroides typus;Afr. Kaalwangvalk) and the well known Black eagle (aquila verreauxii; Afr. Witkruisarend). Riders are encouraged to sleep out under the stars and cook on an open fire to really enjoy the wide outdoors. Wood, cooking utensils (pots, pans and cutlery) and mattresses are provided. Water is available at the overnight point.

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