The Panorama Route is a short, tarred and very scenic route between Graskop in the south and The Tree Rondawels in the north. It centres around the Blyde River Canyon The route itself is just 1hour 15mins drive, but the whole point is that you will stop to soak up beautiful views and take photographs. There are some good hikes and waterfalls to explore as well as activities en route too. Allow a day at least.
If you are heading from or to the Kruger, please do not use the gate nearest Hazyview. Day time driving is no problem, but be settled before dark and, obviously, do not pick up hitch hikers!
The Blyde River Canyon is an enormous chasm of some 50kms snaking through cliffs with rocks eroded over centuries and shaped interestingly. Taking up most of the space at the base, is the Blyde River – named after the Dutch word ‘blij’ meaning pleased. It is like the American Grand Canyon… except that it is green with vegetation. This is the third largest canyon in the world.
The canyon lies along the lip of the great African escarpment. It was at this point that the ancient super continent, Gondwanaland, broke apart and Madagascar and Antarctica tore free from Africa some 200 million years ago. The broken edge of the continent was gradually tilted upwards by the weight of a vast shallow sea stretching west to beyond Pretoria. This sea, already ancient when Gondwanaland was split by these earth-shaping forces, left behind layer upon layer of dolomite and sandstone laid down as sediments over millions of years.
The canyon is within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve which covers 29 000 hectares. It is one of the few areas of montane grassland in Mpumalanga that still exists. The grasslands consist of more than 1 000 flora species of which many are endemic (found nowhere else in the world), rare or endangered.
There is a wealth of animal life here too, including klipspringers, dassies, grey rhebuck, oribi, kudu, bushbuck, bush pigs, monkeys-Vervet and Samoa, bush babies, Chacma baboons, Black-Backed jackals and many species of birdlife, including resident pairs of nesting eagles. Another inhabitant is the Taita Falcon which is only found in a few places in the world.
There are various places along the route to see the views. There are fees at each formal view site. There are also car guards and a small tip is customary when you return to your car:
The Three Rondavels are eroded rocks, in the shape of traditional African huts. You can get awe-inspiring views of the Blyde River Canyon where the river curves around a mountain before entering a hippo-inhabited lake.
Various hiking trails lead from the parking lot to several observation points, giving different views. This is the best view on the route. Unfortunately it is very touristy.
Bourke’s Luck Potholes
These giant potholes formed at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers and mark the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. These are natural round potholes formed by water erosion around boulders and rocks. The whole setup is quite touristy (massive parking lots for tourist buses)
The Berlin Falls.
Berlin Falls owes its name to the miners who came to South Africa from Europe during the gold rush. They named each waterfall in the region after their hometown or a place in their home country.
The waterfall plunges about 80 metres in a single drop into a round pool that has a jade colour. The green water stands out against the red rocks and is striking.
This river is popular for bass fishing.
Lisbon Falls
A few metres south of the northern exit of the R534 lies a pretty waterfall. You can view the falls from the top near the parking lot or hike about 20 minutes down the hills to the base of the falls. You can swim around the falls or just enjoy the scenery.
God’s Window
The name is from its panoramic view of the Lowveld more than 900m down into a lush indigenous forest-clad ravine. There is a small charge which you can avoid by finding other viewpoints a little along the road.
From the parking area, a very steep stepped footpath along the edge of the escarpment leads to the actual viewpoints.
Curios are sold here.
Pinnacle Rock is not particularly worthwhile visiting. It is a massive quartzite rock that juts up, with all around it eroded, and reaches a height of some30 metres
Hiking Trails
There is a 3 to 5 day trail along the canyon, of 60km, with sleeping huts along the way and other shorter day trails for a range of ability levels. Some have swimming spots en- route.
The Hippo Trail is 13.5km out-and-back and follows the curve of the lake around the Blyde River Canyon – you might be able to spot hippos in the water below. Get a permit at the Forest Resort (closed on Sundays).
Accommodation
Besides the hiking huts, there is no parks board accommodation inside the reserve.
Graskop is a small town with places to eat lunch and accommodation
The Graskop Gorge is worth visiting. It is at the entrance to the town. There is a Suspension Bridge of 52m which spans the north and south sides of the gorge. Enjoy the breathtaking view while standing 70 m above the ground. At 2026 prices to end November, it costs R75 per adult. Pensioners and children are less.
A Glass Lift takes visitors 51 m down into the gorge and into the primeval forest below, where boardwalks and suspension bridges form a 600 m long path. Through interactive exhibits and display boards, visitors can discover the diversity of life under the dense canopy of trees. At current rates it costs R205 per adult. Pensioners and children are less. There is also a good art and craft gallery of local talent.
