Route 62: South Africa's Hidden Art Corridor Through the Klein Karoo

Route 62 runs through the Klein Karoo like a thread connecting a necklace of small towns that, collectively, constitute one of Africa's most surprising art destinations. From the ostrich-feather grandeur of Oudtshoorn to the bohemian quiet of Barrydale, the route passes through landscapes so dramatic and light so extraordinary that artists have been drawn here for generations.

Oudtshoorn: Where Art Meets History

Oudtshoorn's artistic identity is inseparable from its history. The feather boom left behind sandstone palaces, the magnificent CP Nel Museum, and a cultural confidence that persists today. The KKNK, held every autumn, is one of Africa's largest arts festivals. ArtKaroo has been the heart of the local art scene since 2007.

Barrydale: Village of Artists

Two hours from Cape Town and a world away from its pace, Barrydale sits in the Tradouwshoek Valley. The Karoo Art Hotel is both accommodation and living gallery. The Magpie Art Collective takes a different approach, creating socially conscious art from upcycled materials.

The Light Between

What makes Route 62 exceptional isn't just the galleries and studios — it's the landscape connecting them. The drive between Oudtshoorn and Barrydale passes through some of the most visually dramatic scenery in southern Africa.