Some journeys are measured in kilometres.
Others are measured in conversations with local farmers, mornings spent on mountain trails, roadside farm stalls, fields of wildflowers, cups of freshly brewed rooibos and the warm welcome of the people who call a place home.
That is the thinking behind Green Piketberg – Route 366.
Inspired by the scenic R366 that winds between Redelinghuys and the greater Piketberg region, this new self-drive journey is more than a tourism route. It is an invitation to experience regenerative tourism in action – a way of travelling that not only celebrates a destination, but helps strengthen its communities, supports local livelihoods, protects its landscapes and honours the traditions that have shaped it for generations.
A new route inspired by an old way of life
Long before sustainability became part of the tourism conversation, the people of the greater Piketberg region were already living it. For generations, communities have grown with the seasons, cared for the land, shared knowledge, celebrated local harvests and understood that if the land was to continue providing for future generations, they had to give something back in return.
That philosophy lies at the heart of Green Piketberg – Route 366.
Here, “green” is more than a colour. It is a way of life rooted in the land, shaped by community and inspired by a belief that tourism should leave places better than it found them.
“Green Piketberg isn’t simply a route on a map. It’s a reflection of who we are as a region,” says Nomonde Ndlangisa, CEO of Bergrivier Tourism.
“For generations, our communities have lived from this land, learned from it and cared for it. Green Piketberg is about celebrating that relationship between people and place while asking how tourism can help protect it for the future.
“Regenerative tourism means creating experiences that benefit everyone – our visitors, our communities, our local businesses and the landscapes that sustain us. We live from the land, but we also give back to the land. That is the legacy we want to leave.”
Come hungry – for food, for stories and for connection
Along Green Piketberg – Route 366, food is not simply something placed on a plate. It has a story.
Visitors can discover locally grown rooibos, artisan farm stalls, olive farms, honey producers, freshly roasted coffee, farm-to-table dining and seasonal produce while meeting the people who grow, harvest, bake and create it. Here, every meal offers an opportunity to connect with the land and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.
A landscape that carries memory
The Green Piketberg story begins with the land.
Mountain landscapes, working farms, flower-filled valleys, heritage communities and open countryside tell the story of a region where agriculture, culture and nature have evolved together over generations. From the ancient heritage of Diepkloof Rock Shelter to the living traditions of Goedverwacht and Wittewater, Green Piketberg invites visitors to discover a landscape that continues to shape the people who call it home.
From Adventure Capital to Green Capital
Piketberg has long been recognised for its mountains, outdoor adventure and spectacular landscapes.
Now, the region is building on that spirit of exploration by embracing a future where tourism, agriculture, heritage and community work together to create lasting value for both visitors and residents.
By bringing accommodation providers, farms, attractions, artisans and tourism businesses together under one shared identity, Green Piketberg – Route 366 encourages collaboration, supports local enterprise and inspires visitors to stay longer, explore further and contribute to a stronger rural economy.
“Tourism is at its best when communities thrive,” says Ndlangisa.
“Our ambition is for Green Piketberg – Route 366 to become more than a destination. We want it to become an example of how regenerative tourism can celebrate our heritage, strengthen our local economy and ensure that future generations inherit a region that is every bit as rich – culturally, environmentally and economically – as the one we enjoy today.”
What: Green Piketberg – Route 366
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