Travel Guide Bridgetown

The valley of hell has a quite astonishing history. At the end of the road you will see a move towards an even less practicable track than the one you borrow. It leads to a valley of about kilometres and metres wide, in the heart of the Swartberg massif, where white wild people lived! First occupied by the Chakmas, it was settled in 1830 by settlers families. Petrus Swanepoel settled there with his family, soon joined by the Cordier (descendants of the Orléanais Louis Cordier), Mostert, Marais (descendants of the Francilien Charles Marais) and Joubert (descendants of the Provençal Pierre Joubert). So a small community of 120 people lived here for more than a century, completely out of time. Landing by accident in the valley during the Anglo-Boer war, General Reitz met with men and women dressed in animal skins. There was no track, no road to communication with the outside world; Water ran between the rocks, animals provided meat and milk, bees produced honey, and tobacco had been planted. In 1962, a well-intentioned official built an access trail for cars, and the valley gradually disbursed to the occupants.To immerse yourself in the atmosphere, book one of the seven houses renovated in the ghost village. You have to bring towels and food, and make a full gas, because there's no pump on the spot. In the houses you will find bed linen, firewood and barbecue, hot water and a refrigerator. Really good in a similar hole. We will make intoxicating walks in solitary mountains with the feeling of having Africa for itself. For long evenings under the stars, you can read the Devil's Parka of André Brink (Stock). The resident guard responds to Tel 023 541 1736.It is also possible to stay in Die Chef in buildings restored by Annetjie Joubert, a «survivor» since she was born in Die Hel (Tel 023 541 1366 - [email protected]