Sneeuberge

The Sneeuberge (Afrikaans: Snow Mountains) are located in the far western portions of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. They are the highest mountain range in South Africa outside the Drakensberg and stretch between Murraysburg of the neighbouring Western Cape, north of Graaff Reinet and almost to Cradock. They are geologically part of the Karoo System and fall within the Karoo semi-arid climatic region. As their name suggests, the mountains experience frigid winters with occasional snowfalls during strong cold fronts. Summers are hot with some late afternoon thunderstorms in summer. The highest peak is north of the small village of Nieu-Bethesda, called Kompasberg (2502m) (Afrikaans: Compass Mountain) and dominates all surrounding areas with its prominent steep-sided peak.