Langeberg
| Langeberg | |
|---|---|
 Landscape of the Langeberg Range near Robertson | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Keeromsberg |
| Elevation | 2,075 m (6,808 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountain ranges of South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°33′43″S 19°36′09″E / 33.56194°S 19.60250°E |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 250 km (160 mi) NW/SE |
| Width | 20 km (12 mi) NE/SW |
| Geography | |
  Langeberg | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Western Cape |
| Parent range | Western Cape System |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Cape Fold Belt |
| Rock age | Paleoproterozoic |
| Rock type | Sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From Montagu |
The Langeberg Range is a mountain range in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its highest peak is Keeromsberg at 2,075 m that lies 15 km northeast of the town of Worcester. Some of the highest peaks of the range are located just to the north of Swellendam, in a subrange known as the Clock Peaks whose highest point is the 1,710 m high Misty Point. Local lore states one can tell the time by means of the shadows cast by the seven summits of the Clock Peaks.
Etymology
[edit]The name is Dutch and means "long mountain" [1]
Physiography and geology
[edit]
The range runs roughly NW/SE in its western part and in an east-west direction in its mid and eastern section and is approximately 250 km long, from Worcester, past Robertson, Montagu, Swellendam, Heidelberg and Riversdale to the proximity of George.
The Langeberg's most westerly point is located 5 km east of the town of Worcester; the range ends some 20 km North of Mossel Bay in the east.[2] The open plains of the Little Karoo border the north of the mountain range, while to the south lies the Agulhas Plain and the Overberg wheatbelt.
The Langeberg Range is composed mostly of Table Mountain Sandstone and the range is part of the Cape Fold Belt.[3]
Ecology
[edit]
On the southern slopes of the range mountain fynbos can be found, with Afromontane forest patches found in deep secluded gorges, while on the drier northern slopes karroid scrub is found.[4]
Protected areas
[edit]There are the following protected areas along the range:
- The Marloth Nature Reserve, in the area where the highest peaks are found
- The Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, which includes the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve near Barrydale
- The Garcia State Forest
Mountain passes
[edit]The range is traversed by four mountain passes, from west to east, they are:
- Cogmanskloof Pass, linking Montagu with Ashton.
- Tradouws Pass, linking Barrydale with Swellendam and Heidelberg
- Garcia's Pass, linking Riversdale and Ladismith, Western Cape
- Cloetes Pass, linking Mossel Bay with Ladismith, Western Cape
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ [Dictionary of Southern African Place Names by Dr P.E. Raper]
- ^ [Dictionary of Southern African Place Names by Dr P.E. Raper]
- ^ The Cape Fold Belt
- ^ Swellendam Hiking Guide