The Hex River Mountains

The Hex River Mountains are the second-highest range in the Cape. They form part of the Cape Fold Belt mountain system placed northeast/south. The mountains consist mainly of Table Mountain sandstone and most peaks reach 2,000 metres or more. The highest peak is the Matroosberg at 2,249 metres. It is the second-highest peak in the Cape

 

The climate is Mediterranean (winter rainfall) and the vegetation is mostly montane fynbos. There is often some snow in the winter months with rudimentary-skiing opportunities. Intensive farming of deciduous fruit such as cherries and table grapes takes place in the valleys.

The origin of the name Hex is not certain. Hex means wich in Afrikaans. There is a legend of a grief-stricken woman who haunts the valley. She was called ” Die Heks van Exeriviervallei”.

Another more probable reason is that the name is a corruption of Ekse, the plural of X which is the name given to the river on some of the earliest maps of the area. Perhaps because of the numerous times that the ox wagon track crossed the river on the way through the poort.