Hermanus
The town has had a curiously romantic history. Back in the 1830s a certain
Hermanus Pieters wandered through the Caledon district.
Hermanus
Pieters heard that there was a path known as the Olifantspad
(elephant's) path) which climbed over the mountains to the coast.
It was used by an occasional individual who wanted to fish. He reached
the summit of the range and looked down in admiration at the beautiful
landscape beneath him.
It was intensely green, streaked with rivulets
tumbling down to the sea. There was no sign of human habitation.
Following a path down to the shore, Hermanus Pieters found a spring
almost in reach of the spray of the great rollers which pounded on the
rocky coast.
Each summer it became Hermanus's habit to camp at the place which later
became known as Hermanus Pietersfontein (the spring of Hermanus
Pieters). In September 1904, by which time its name hat abbreviated
(the postal authorities hat quietly dropped the “Pietersfontein” in
1902) Hermanus was made a municipality.
Today
Hermanus is a flourishing holiday resort. Yachting and aquaplaning take
place in the great lagoon. A spectacular 6 km long scenic road (Rotary
Drive) curves up the mountain slopes to a view site on the summit.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve, opened I January 1960, is a 1 446 ha
sanctuary for flowers, birds and game. The track provides excellent
vantage points for people watching whales, such as the southern right
whales, which frequent this coast from July to November to calve and
mate.
