The Galg Road

Description

The Galg Road, also known as The Road to Nowhere, is a historic pass that lies up in the heart of the Riviersonderend Mountains, surrounded with mountain peaks of the Riviersonderend, Gobosriver and Galgeberg. This road leads up the mountains and disappears at the edge of a steep krantz…hence, leading to nowhere.

In 1862 the village was officially proclaimed and the land divided into 2.5 hectare plots which were sold by public auction to 19 farmers and smallholders who were told that the road from Cape Town would most probably pass through the village. This never happened, and neither did the planned road over the mountains through the "Boesmanskloof" Pass to Greyton - the road goes through the village and then just stops.

Story told by locals of the area: There are many interesting stories about the Road to Greyton which today leads up to the mountains and dwindles at the edge of a steep krants. Old-timers rumbled up the valley with supplies and road materials. The pass was never completed.