Panorama Roete
Pilgrim's Rest to Blyderiver Canyon

Breathtaking Views and Sweeping Landscapes

The Panorama Route is situated in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

The Panorama Route is a scenic route along the Mpumalanga Escarpment with the Blyde River Canyon located in the centre. This magnificent route is best known for its dramatic landscape and cultural heritage. The major highlight is obviously that of the Blyde River Canyon itself, the third largest of its kind in the world, but the route also offers mountains, forests, waterfalls and one breathtaking view after another. The route offers some of the best adrenaline enhancing adventures as well as more sedate pastimes, but either way there is a vast array of exciting options for visitors along the route.

Visitors on this route typically enter from the town of Lydenburg, via the Long Tom Pass. At 2 149 meters above sea level you will be travelling along the highest tarred road in South Africa and was named after the cannon used by the Boers in the 1900’s. Looking down from the Pass you will see the largest man made forest and the town of Sabie, which boasts the country’s largest sawmill. This area offers the Bridal VeilLone Creek and Horse Shoe waterfalls.

Next stop Graskop, an excellent place to set up base for exploring the Panorama Route and gateway to the Berlin FallsThree RondawelsPinnacle Rock and Wonder View, not to mention the famous God’s Window viewpoint and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Pilgrim’s Rest, an old gold mining town frozen in time, now a national museum is only a half hour drive from Graskop and offers visitors an opportunity to try their hand at gold panning.

Hazyview, to the east of Graskop is your passage into the world famous Kruger National Park. The route extends south to White River, which is also part of the sub route called the “Artists’ Route” as it is home to some well-known sculptures, artists and potters.

Places to Visit

Things to do and see

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the mid-summer months, with December and January seeing the highest levels. 

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 17˚C and 30˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 7˚C and 19˚C.

Transport

There are daily flights from JohannesburgDurban and Cape Town into the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mombela (Nelspruit). Car rental companies are available for easy access to the surrounding areas, Long Tom Pass is less than an hour away along the R37, White River along the R40 is approximately 25 minutes away and Hazyview is 60 km away, about an hours’ drive along the R538. Road trips from Johannesburg to Graskop on the N12, via Long Tom Pass will take just over 4 hours.

Festivals

March/April – LongTom Marathon: The toughest Ultra Marathon in South Africa, starts and ends in the town – 56 km run along the Long Tom Pass.

June – Innibos: Nelspruit’s biggest festival and voted the best festival in the country by Kyknet. A festival hosting the best in South African Music

June – Blue Swallow Festival: Open air craft and food stalls with fun activities and entertainment over two days.

September – Hazyview Spring Festival: Held at the Rendevous Center this event has become very popular with the locals. Flea market, farmers market, food stalls, beer garden, children’s entertainment & music.

December – Pilgrim’s Rest Festival: An exciting festival with plenty of outdoor activities.

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