How Die Hel Got Its Name

We''ve all heard of holidays from hell. But what about going on a holiday in Hell? Die Hel, to give this dorp, tucked away in the Klein Karoo''s Swartberg mountains, it''s better-known name.(In fact the real name of Die Hel is Gamkaskloof)

According to an article in the October 2009 edition of Country Life magazine, this secret and secluded place is a hidden gem often by-passed by travellers who are put off either by its name, or by the rather treacherous (but breath-takingly beautiful) one and only road that would take them there.

This road was built almost single handedly by a Koos Van Zyl and his bulldozer, and opened back in 1963. Prior to this the small community of settlers who lived there were almost completely isolated from the outside world, but once the road opened many left for the comparable bright lights of neighbouring towns such as Calitzdorp and Prince Albert.

 (Image: Basic Transporter. Creative Commons License)

The natural beauty of Die Hel, located in a magnificent kloof walled in by majestic mountains, combined with the fascinating history as recounted by the locals, should you stop for a chat, makes Die Hel a special place worth visiting for those who enjoy leaving the beaten track.

So how DID Die Hel get its nick-name? Certainly not from its own inhabitants. The general explanation is that the the British tax collectors and/or stock inspectors who had to endure the arduous voyage there and back in the line of duty named it thus - and I am sure back then with no road it really did feel like a hellish trip!

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