In earlier times, the impressive mass of the Piketberg served as a stronghold for the San. Then, in the 18th century the Europeans came and, as Europeans tended to do at the time, drove the indigenous people away (who, in the ensuing panic, left their rock paintings behind). A certain Mr Versfeld came along a little later, built a spectacular pass up the mountain and modestly named it after himself. Versveld Pass is famous for its three-loop design that enabled ox wagons to ascend it. The view from the summit is impressive and the plateau above is an unexpected page from Tolkien: a dense collage of orchard, valley, crumbling cottages and rugged mountainscape. Back at the foot of the mountain, the town of Piketberg is not a bad little place, but not really offering sufficient lure to make a full meal of it. Heading back up the mountain to one of several nice self-catering spots would be the better option in our humble view.