Piketberg

The largest building in every South African town is usually the Dutch Reformed Church, and Piketberg is graced with a particularly fine example, designed by the renowned architect Carl Otto Hager in his trademark neo-Gothic style.

The area is dominated by the sandstone cliffs of the Piketberg mountain range that towers above the wheatlands. The crags and caves in these cliffs reveal the secrets of its past inhabitants, the hunter-gatherer San Bushmen, whose rock paintings are well preserved.

Pastoralist Hottentots used to roam around the base of these mountains, but could not resist the temptation to steal a few cattle from the European settlers. A small military outpost was established to stop the cattle rustling, but the soldiers found it hard to catch the Hottentots when they hid in the hills.

The valley is perfect for growing vast swathes of golden wheat while the mountaintops are ideal for apples, pears and peaches.

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