Gamkaskloof (The Hell)

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A number of stories are told as to why the beautiful Gamkaskloof, or "Valley of Lions", is known as "the Hell". All relate to the difficulty of getting there. .

The fertile Gamkaskloof valley is about 20km long and 600m wide.

Why exactly the first known permanent resident ever moved into the valley in 1830 is not known. Over time the population in the valley grew to a self sufficient community of about 120 people. By 1963 the first and only road into the valley was constructed. The last permanent resident left the valley in 1992.

Today the valley is managed by Cape Nature Conservation who have also restored some of the original homes.
Legend has it that Gamkaskloof was discovered when trekboers lost their cattle and followed their spoor into the fertile valley. Petrus Swanepoel was the first to farm there and the valley supported the hard-working community until 1962 when a road was carved into the valley. A gradual exodus occured and the last farmer to leave was Piet Swanepoel in 1991.

Now one of the Gamkaskloofers, Annetjie Joubert, has returned to the valley and shares tales of the old days with her guests.