The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon which attracts an estimated 100 000 visitors each year, and forms part of South Africa’s most spectacular sights.  A product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature spanning millions of years, the Valley was declared a national monument of geological and scenic significance in 1939.  Located just 14kms out of Graaff-Reinet the Valley is a magnet for hikers, photographers and avid bird watchers.

Columns of Dolerite rise 120 meters up from the valley floor providing sensational views over the Camdeboo plains.  The endless space and feeling of being perched on top of the world has rendered many visitors speechless. 

Roughly 240 million years ago the land was made up of fast-flowing streams which deposited layers of mud and sand through the years.  This eventually turned to soft shale and sandstone rock.  When volcanic molten rock rose to the surface around 180 million years ago it solidified the sandstone and shale, which turned into hard Dolerite columns.

The original road to the Valley of Desolation was constructed by labourer’s using picks, shovels and barrows, coupled with a few sticks of dynamite here and there, and was completed in 1930.  The road to the top was tarred in 1978 providing visitors with easy access to the picnic sites and viewpoints. 

Before reaching the end of the steep road to the top, there is a lookout point and toposcope which offers a superb view over Graaff-Reinet, the Nqweba Dam and the surrounding rugged terrain of the Karoo.

The Valley of Desolation is beautiful at any time of day, however the tinted sun of the late afternoon colours the rock towers in amazing shades of reds and orange, well worth seeing. 

There are several viewpoints dotted along the cliff edges, all offering different outlooks over the valley.  To say that visiting the Valley of Desolation is a spiritual experience is not an overstatement.  It has visitors leaving with a sense of wonder at creation, and definitely a feeling of wanting to return.