Two hours out of Cape Town, the N7 climbs the Piekenierskloof Pass. At the top, the whole Citrusdal valley opens up below you, and most people pull over without being told to. Stop properly. Whether you are heading for the Cederberg, Namaqualand or Namibia, this is where the drive stops being a commute. There is fuel, farm-stall food at Kardoesie and De Tol, pies the locals rate, and a bed if the road has been long. Below: the stops, and how far it still is to everywhere north.
Why stop at Citrusdal
| Where | On the N7, about 176 km (109 miles) north of Cape Town |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Roughly 2 hours from Cape Town, just past the Piekenierskloof Pass |
| Fuel | Yes — fill up before the Cederberg, which has none |
| Farm stalls | Kardoesie Padstal (est. 1997) and De Tol at Carmién tea farm |
| Local food | Braai pies, piesangbrood, rooibos and fresh citrus |
| Overnight | Guest rooms, B&Bs, guest farms and camping |
Distances and timings are approximate — see getting here for the full route.
How far is it from Citrusdal to Namaqualand and Namibia?
North of Citrusdal the N7 settles into the long run: Clanwilliam, then the Knersvlakte, then Namaqualand and the Orange River. If you are heading for the spring flowers or the border, this is what is still in front of you.
| To | Distance by road | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Clanwilliam | 58 km (36 mi) | ~45 min |
| Vanrhynsdorp | 133 km (82 mi) | ~1 hr 30 min |
| Nieuwoudtville | 183 km (114 mi) | ~2 hr 10 min |
| Springbok | 389 km (242 mi) | ~4 hr 10 min |
| Vioolsdrif (Namibian border) | 506 km (314 mi) | ~5 hr 30 min |
Routed on OpenStreetMap data (OSRM, 15 September 2026) from the centre of Citrusdal. Mile figures are conversions of those kilometres, not a separate measurement. Driving times are the routing engine's, before any stop.
Fill up here. The Cederberg has no fuel at all, and north of Clanwilliam the towns, and the fuel stations with them, grow further apart.
The padstals worth pulling off for
Kardoesie Padstal has stood at the top of the pass since 1997: a farm stall, boutique and restaurant with a view over the Renosterhoek valley. You sit down to eat at The Daily, inside; Kardoesie's own menu runs to all-day breakfasts, light meals, coffee and cake. It has been feeding N7 drivers for almost thirty years. On Sundays it opens at noon.
De Tol, on the Carmién rooibos farm on the same pass, is the other stop: a farm deli and tea shop with rooibos tastings, and somewhere to sit down for lunch or a coffee. Between the two, you can eat well and stock the car with things to take home. Where to eat ›
Braai pies at Agrimark, piesangbrood at Spar, and the farm-stall food at Kardoesie and De Tol. Rooibos and fresh citrus are the things to take home. The local list ›
Fuel and essentials
Citrusdal has fuel stations on and near the N7. This matters more than it sounds: once you head into the Cederberg there is no fuel, so fill up in town before you leave the valley.
There are also shops, a pharmacy and everything you need for a road trip — worth knowing if you are heading into the mountains or the desert. The local list ›
If you need a bed
Citrusdal makes a natural first night on a long N7 trip. There are guest rooms, B&Bs, guest farms and camping in and around town, and Kardoesie has rooms and a caravan park on the same property as the padstal. The best way to end a long day at the wheel, though, is lying in the 43 °C spring at The Baths. Book a night there, because the pools are for overnight guests only. Where to stay ›
Soak at The Baths ›N7 stop — quick questions
Is Citrusdal worth stopping at?
Yes. It is the natural halfway point with fuel, two excellent farm stalls and a proper break from the road.
How long should I stop?
Half an hour for fuel and a padstal, or an hour for lunch. Add an overnight if you want to soak at The Baths.
Is there fuel in the Cederberg?
No. Fill up in Citrusdal before you head into the mountains.
How far is Citrusdal from Springbok and the Namibian border?
Springbok is 389 km (242 miles) north on the N7, about 4 hr 10 min. The Vioolsdrif border post into Namibia is 506 km (314 miles), about 5 hr 30 min. See the table above for the stops in between.
Last updated September 2026 · opening hours vary — confirm with each business before you travel