Where is Die Hel in South Africa?

Ever heard of a place called Die Hel? It's tucked away in South Africa's Western Cape Province, right on the southwestern coast. Getting there is half the adventure – or maybe the whole adventure, depending on how you look at it!

The road to Die Hel is about 37km (23 miles) of pure, unpaved grit. It snakes through the Klein Karoo, a semi-desert region, and plunges into Die Hel, a seriously isolated valley within the Swartberg Mountains, nestled between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. No one really knows how it got its name, but it stuck!

This winding road dives from the top to the bottom of Die Hel, also known as Gamka's Kloof or Gamkaskloof. Word to the wise: during the rainy season, the Gamka River can flood, making the road impassable. Expect around 2 hours of driving with 201 bends, and overtaking is often out of the question. Stock up on supplies before you go, because there's no shops, gas stations, hospitals, or even cell service once you’re in there.

You'll definitely need a 4x4 with high ground clearance to tackle this route – anything less is asking for trouble. A spare tire is also a great idea. This stunning, secluded valley is about 20km long and less than 1km wide, was isolated until 1962. For over a century, it supported a self-sufficient community, and remnants of old farms and restored cottages add to the valley’s romantic allure.