Drakenstein
Pad deur du Toitkloof tonnel na Drakenstein
Die Klein-Drakensteinberge is 'n bergreeks in die Kaapse Plooigordel in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Die bergreeks is oos van Paarl en die N1 nasionale pad gaan via die Hugenotetonnel deur die berg. Voor die tonnel gebou was, moes reisigers die Du Toitskloofpas gebruik het om oor die berg te gaan. Die pad bestaan nog as die R101 provinsiale pad. Die Klein-Drakensteinberge staan met die Groot-Drakensteinberge bekend as die Drakensteinberge. Die bekendste pieke in die reeks is Middagberg (1107 m), Vaalkop (888 m), Haelhoek Sneeukop (1532 m), Suikerboskop (1252 m) en Perdekop (1121 m).
Die naam
Die naam het niks met drake te doen nie. Dit is deur goewerneur Simon van der Stel in Oktober 1687 toegeken en hy het Kommissaris-Generaal Hendrik Adriaan van Reede tot Drakestein vereer wat die Kaap in 1685 besoek het en aan hom die grond van Groot Constantia toegeken het. Die naam Drakestein verwys na die Kasteel Drakestein wat nou die tuiste van die Nederlandse prinses Beatrix is. Van Reede se pa was eienaar hiervan.
Geografie
They actually comprise two separate ranges, the Klein Drakenstein and Groot Drakenstein Mountains. The former located just to the east of Paarl being punctuated by the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 highway and Du Toitskloof Pass (820 m (2,690 ft)) as the R101 route. The latter is much taller and is located south of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, with Victoria Peak (1,590 m (5,220 ft) as its highest point. It is traversed by no mountain passes, but contains the Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve and also holds title of the wettest place in South Africa in the upper reaches of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, with over 2,000 millimetres (79 in) of precipitation per annum (precise measurement unverified), the reason for the Wemmershoek Dam to be built in this mountain.
Most vegetation is of the Cape Floral Kingdom biome, and the primary rocks are of the Table Mountain Sandstone group of the Cape Supergroup. The region falls within the Mediterranean climatic zone, with cool, wet winters, with snow on the higher elevations and warm, dry summers. The one peak facing Boschendal wine farm is named devils tooth for its big tooth look. British singer and songwriter Lily Allen shot the Air Balloon (song) at the foot of the mountain at an unused castle (perfect for movies, photography, in her case music videos). The mountain is mainly untouched yet there is foothpaths crossing the baboon infested mountain, with an apex predator the Cape leopard roaming the mountains and surrounding farms. For the hiking enthusiasts a trail with camping cabins runs all the way to Hermanus.