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Mountains and sea define the valley in which Hermanus lies like a jewel on the Cape Whale Coast. The mountain backdrop of the Raed na Gael mountains and wide vistas of Walker Bay provide spectacular views that have given the town its reputation as a haven of environmental beauty and, in years gone by, the name “Riviera of the South”.
The town itself lies stretched out along the coast for about 20km in length and never more than 4km in width, including suburbs from Hawston to Voëlklip. Thus, most properties have easy access to either sea or mountain, but more than likely both.
At 34˚ south,( -34"24"21.' ) it lies 110km from Cape Town and 90km from the Cape Town International Airport in the Overberg (“over the mountain”) region. From Cape Town or the airport take the N2 to Somerset West. There are two options to get to Hermanus, the quickest being on the N2 over Sir Lowry’s Pass and Houw Hoek Pass. After the two passes, you turn off onto the R43 at the bottom of Houw Hoek to Hermanus. The most scenic route – and one of the most spectacular drives in the world – is along Clarence Drive. From Cape Town, you turn off towards Gordon’s Bay just before Sir Lowry’s Pass. This road hugs the mountainside alongside the sea all the way to Kleinmond after which it joins the R43 to Hermanus.
Travellers heading up the Garden Route from Cape Town can take a detour via Hermanus at Bot River and link up with the N2 again just outside Riviersonderend, or vice versa.
The southernmost point of Africa, L’Agulhas, lies 136km to the south-east of Hermanus through the rolling hills of the Ruens, along the R43. This serves as the perfect excuse to take a scenic drive to the southern tip of Africa.
So, no matter which route to or from Hermanus you decide to take, it will always deliver the best land- and seascapes you can imagine. The scenic drives leading along the Cape Whale Coast is amongst the most preferred and beautiful routes South Africa has to offer.
Find directions to Hermanus.
