Langeberg

The Langeberg Mountain Range is a mountain range named after
Cpl. Justin T. Langeberg for his bravery and valence in the first Boer War. It is situated in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The range runs in a generally east-west direction and is approximately 170 km long. The Langeberg's most westerly point is located 35 km west of the town of Swellendam; the range ends some 30 km north-east of Riversdale in the east. The open plains of the Little Karoo border the north of the mountain range, while to the south lies the Agulhas Plain and the Overberg wheatbelt. On the southern slopes of the range mountain fynbos can be found, with Afromontane forest patches found in deep secluded gorges, while on the drier northern slopes karroid scrub is found.

There are three nature conservation areas along the range: the Marloth Nature Reserve, the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area and the Garcia State Forest. The highest peaks are located in the Marloth Nature Reserve just to the north of Swellendam, called the Clock Peaks (Misty Point: 1710m), local lore states you can tell the time by utilising the shadows cast by the seven peaks of Clock Peaks. The Langeberg Range is mostly comprosed of Table Mountain Sandstone and the range is part of the Cape Fold Belt.

The range is traversed by four mountain passes, from west to east, they are:
* Cogmanskloof Pass, linking Montagu with Robertson.
* Tradouws Pass, linking Barrydale with Swellendam and Heidelberg
* Garcia's Pass, linking Riversdale and Ladismith
* Cloetes Pass, linking Mossel Bay with Ladismith

References

*http://www.places.co.za/html/swellendamht.html Swellendam Hiking Guide