Garden Route, Coastal road in Western Cape, South Africa
The Garden Route runs for roughly 200 kilometers along the South African coast between Mossel Bay and the mouth of the Storms River, passing through forests, beach sections and mountainous regions. The route follows the coastline and offers alternating views of the ocean and the forested slopes inland.
The region was originally inhabited by Khoi peoples before European sailors began exploring the coast in the 15th century. The present route developed in the 20th century as a continuous connecting road between the scattered coastal settlements.
The name refers to the lush vegetation along the coast that has impressed travelers for centuries. Many towns carry English and Afrikaans names that recall early settlers and seafaring history.
The route is best traveled by car, with the journey taking several days depending on stops. Most visitors explore individual sections rather than driving the entire stretch at once.
Climate zones shift within short distances along the route, which favors plant diversity. In some spots, forest areas border directly on fynbos heathland that exists only in this region.
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