Meiringspoort is a 25 kilometre mountain pass on the N12 north of Oudtshoorn, where the road follows the Groot River through the steep, folded sandstone walls of the Cape Fold Mountains. It links the Little Karoo with the Great Karoo, and the road crosses the river 25 times on its way through the gorge. The rock layers are twisted and tilted into dramatic shapes, the cliffs close in on both sides and the light changes constantly, which makes it one of the most photogenic drives in the area. Halfway along, at the foot of a waterfall, there is a pool where local legend says a mermaid lives, and a picnic area where you can stop, stretch your legs and walk to the water. There is no ticket and nothing to book, so it costs only the time and the fuel. It is easy to include as part of a loop from Oudtshoorn, either on the way to the Swartberg Pass or on the way back, and it adds a very different landscape to the forests and beaches of the coast.
Driving it
The gorge runs along a well-maintained tarred road, so a normal car is fine and the driving is easy compared with the Swartberg Pass. The bends and narrow bridges still need care, particularly when trucks are using the N12, and there are lay-bys where you can pull off safely to take photographs.
Allow an hour or so to drive through, and more if you stop at the waterfall, which is the natural pause point. Check weather and road conditions before you go, since flash floods can affect the river crossings after heavy rain in the mountains.
What to look for
The folded rock is the main attraction, and a slow drive with a few stops is the best way to see it. The roadside is lined with reed beds, protea and fynbos, and you may see rock hyrax, baboons or birds of prey along the cliffs. At the waterfall, a short path leads to the pool and the picnic area.
Take drinking water and sun protection, since the gorge can be hot in summer, and wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk to the water. The mermaid story is a local legend rather than something you will see, but it makes a good tale for children on the way.
Fitting it in
Meiringspoort works best as part of a loop from Oudtshoorn that also takes in the Swartberg Pass and the village of Prince Albert, with a lunch stop in the village. If you prefer a shorter outing, drive up to the waterfall, picnic and return the same way. It is also a natural stop for anyone travelling between the Garden Route and the Karoo on the way to Johannesburg or Cape Town via the interior. Fill your tank in Oudtshoorn before you set out, because services in the gorge itself are limited.
Taking it slowly
The gorge looks different depending on the light, the season and the water level, and a second visit in the opposite direction often shows details that you missed the first time. If you travel with children, count the river crossings together as a game, and look for the information boards at the pull-offs, which explain the geology and the history of the road. Keep an eye on the weather in the mountains, because thunderstorms upstream can quickly raise the level of the river, and never park in the riverbed or under overhanging rock.
What to expect
The experience
A self-drive on the tarred N12 through a 25 km gorge, with lay-bys, a waterfall pool and a picnic area at the middle of the pass.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon for softer light on the rock; avoid driving through after heavy rain in the mountains.
How long
One hour to drive through, up to three with a picnic and a walk to the waterfall.
Tips
Fill the tank in Oudtshoorn, carry water and snacks, use the lay-bys for photographs and watch for trucks on the narrow bridges.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Drivers and photographers who like dramatic rock formations and an easy, free outing.
- Families
- A good picnic stop with a short walk to the waterfall pool and a mermaid legend to tell on the way.
- Couples
- A slow, scenic drive with a picnic, pairing well with the Swartberg Pass.
- Pair with
- The Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert, the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
How long is Meiringspoort?+
The gorge road is about 25 kilometres long and the river is crossed 25 times along the way.
Is the road tarred?+
Yes, it is part of the N12 and suitable for a normal car, though the bends and narrow bridges need care.
What is at the waterfall?+
A waterfall with a pool and a picnic area at the middle of the pass. Locals say a mermaid lives in the pool.
Does it cost anything?+
Driving the pass is free. Take your own food and water, since services in the gorge are limited.
Which landscapes does it connect?+
It links the Little Karoo around Oudtshoorn with the Great Karoo to the north through the Cape Fold Mountains.
