Blyde River Canyon
The road climbs along the edge of the Greater Drakensberg. Below lies Blyde River Canyon, with layered rock walls, green slopes and the Three Rondavels on the horizon.
Discover everything about this location.
The Panorama Route follows the edge of the canyon.
Blyde River Nature Reserve lies against the Greater Drakensberg, right on the Panorama Route. From the rim, you look across layered canyon walls towards the Three Rondavels and the lowveld.
The reserve covers 29,000 hectares and stretches for around 60 kilometres. Cliffs, grassland and wooded slopes keep changing as you travel through it.
Several well-known viewpoints sit along the route, including Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Potholes, Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window.
Sometimes the 4x4 can wait while you take in the view.
Most viewpoints are easy to reach from the paved roads around Graskop and the Panorama Route.
Many travellers drive from Graskop towards Blyde River Canyon and take time for the different stops along the way.
The road itself becomes part of the destination. The landscape keeps shifting between viewpoints.
What you can do in Blyde River Nature Reserve:
- See the Three Rondavels
- Visit Bourke’s Potholes
- See Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window
- Take a boat trip on Blyde Dam
- Hike or cycle
Self-drive trips in the region
South Africa, eSwatini and Mozambique Beach & Safari
West Cape and Namaqualand hiking & 4x4
