The Panorama Route ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Panorama Route🦉

The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is one of the country’s most scenic drives, offering breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, and historical sites. Centred around the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon, this route follows the descent from the Great Escarpment into the Lowveld. Its history is deeply connected to early transport routes, the gold rush, and the Anglo-Boer War.

Before modern roads were built, parts of the Panorama Route formed a vital transport link between Lydenburg and Delagoa Bay. From 1871, ox-wagons struggled over steep mountain passes, carrying goods and supplies between the interior and the coast. These rough trails laid the foundation for what would later become one of South Africa’s most famous tourist routes.

In the late 1800s, gold was discovered in the region, leading to the establishment of towns like Pilgrim’s Rest and Barberton. Thousands of prospectors flocked to the area, crossing treacherous terrain in the hope of striking it rich. Pilgrim’s Rest, now a historical village, was one of the first places in South Africa where gold was officially panned. The town preserves much of its 19th-century charm, with old buildings and relics from the gold rush era still on display.

One of the most famous figures linked to this period was Percy Fitzpatrick, a storekeeper in Pilgrim’s Rest. He later wrote Jock of the Bushveld, a book based on his adventures with his loyal bull terrier, Jock. His journeys took him along the very paths that make up the Panorama Route today.

The Panorama Route also played a role in the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902). General Louis Botha used the region’s rugged terrain to evade British forces. The Boers deployed one of their most powerful weapons here, the Long Tom Cannon. These large artillery guns, originally designed for coastal defense, were mounted on wheels and used to bombard British positions. Today, a replica of a Long Tom Cannon can be seen at the top of Long Tom Pass.

Beyond its historical importance, the Panorama Route is famous for its stunning natural landmarks, including God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and numerous waterfalls. It also runs through one of South Africa’s largest afforested areas, with vast plantations of pine and eucalyptus trees.

Over the years, the route has evolved from a rugged ox-wagon trail into a major tourist attraction. Visitors can now drive comfortably through the region, stopping at viewpoints and historic sites along the way.