West Coast and Cederberg

For a relatively small city, Cape Town spreads out a long way, but I always find it remarkable how easily you can escape the urban sprawl and find yourself in wild country if you travel along the west coast. The West Coast and Cederberg make for low-stress, high-reward travel, all within just an hour or two of the so-called Mother City.

I'd advise a route up the coast and back through the mountains (or of course the other way around). Heading through Darling (hotspot for wine-makers and desert flowers which bloom at the end of August and early September) you'll quickly reach Langebaan and the coastal villages typified by Paternoster and its bright white, low-roofed fishermen's cottages. Beaches are equally white and there are plenty of water sports on offer in the area. More leisurely pursuits include superb birding and whale- and dolphin-watching plus some great seafood restaurants right on the beach. Many people regularly drive from Cape Town just for lunch.

Looping east you reach the N7 and it's a very easy drive south through the rooibos tea farms of the Cederberg. Do your best though to get off the main road and take the back route through the mountains (though make sure you have a full tank of petrol). Walking boots and a bird book are an essential in this small ­but special part of the world that stretches around 50km north to south by 20km east to west. The buckled sweeps of reddish sandstone make for dramatic scenery and plenty of scope for leg stretching before you head back south, or, for the adventurous, set out on an exciting circuit of the Northern Cape.