A Gallery that Rocks

The Sevilla Rock Art Trail. Finally.

I really wanted to know why this little walking route in the northern Cederberg is named after a city in Spain. But after three hours of scampering around koppies and boulders looking at the mesmerising array of rock paintings, I no longer cared.

Exhibit A. But first you’ve gotta belly crawl to get there.

The marked path follows the course of the Brandewyn River, which is more of a creek than anything else. Trees provide welcome shade, and birders will be captivated by the avian population flitting to and fro.

Yet, if you’re into rock paintings, the Sevilla Trail is like a treasure hunt, or an outdoor gallery. There are 9 marked sites, but many more if you venture off the beaten track and are ready for some bouldering. Each painting seems better than the last, each rock face is another dusty, sun beaten booth with an intricate window into the past. This isn’t a place for edgy, boundary shattering modern art, as these masterpieces range from 800 to 8000 years old.

Old and new paintings sometimes seem to be drawn over each other.

The trail’s point of entry, Traveller’s Rest, serves tasty lunches and excellent milkshakes not to be missed. I never did find out why it’s called the Sevilla Rock Art Trail. But it kind of grew on me. I would, however, propose just one change: the Sevilla Rock Art Gallery.

In a grand auditorium of the Sevilla Rock Art Gallery.

Where? Travellers’ Rest

How? Car

Stayed at? Jamaka Organic Farm

How long? 1 afternoon

Perfect for? Rock paintings, tasty lunches, birding