Montagu is a town in the
Western Cape province of
South Africa, about from
Cape Town in the Western Little Karoo. It is named after former secretary of the
Cape Colony,
John Montagu, but was once known as Agter Cogman's Kloof, Cogman's Kloof linking the town and railway station. It is situated at the confluence of the Keisie and Kingna rivers.
Montagu was founded on the farm "Uitvlugt" in 1851, and is known for its hot
mineral springs and scenic mountains. It is also an agricultural centre, where
orchards and
vineyards are in production and local herbs are grown. The farming area, 'Koo', lies north of the town and is famous for the quality of its apples, pears, apricots and peaches. The author
Francis Brett Young
Francis Brett Young (29 June 1884 – 28 March 1954) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, composer, doctor and soldier.
Life
Francis Brett Young was born in Halesowen, Worcestershire. He received his early education at Iona, a ...
spent his final years here. Nearby rock formations make it one of the country's major
rock climbing
Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, across, or down natural rock formations. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and ...
venues. The 1266 m high Bloupunt peak overlooks the village and offers several
hiking trails, as well as
kloofing and
mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and pe ...
trails further afield.
Montagu is near the
Robertson Wine Valley, and is most easily reached via the
Route 62
The following highways are numbered 62:
Australia
* Kennedy Developmental Road - Queensland State Route 62
Canada
* Alberta Highway 62
* British Columbia Highway 62
* Newfoundland and Labrador Route 62
* Highway 62 (Ontario)
* Winnipeg Route 62 ...
scenic route.
See also
*
Montagu Museum
*
Montagu Pass
Montagu Pass is situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, on the unsigned road between Herold and George. The all gravel pass parallels the newer Outeniqua Pass which is designated as the N9/ N12.
The pass was named after John Mon ...
References
External links
*
*
{{Authority control
Climbing areas of South Africa
Hot springs of South Africa
Populated places established in 1856
Populated places in the Langeberg Local Municipality
1856 establishments in the Cape Colony