It is composed of two main mountain chains running roughly east–west along the northern edge of the semi-arid Little Karoo.
To the north of the range lies the other large semi-arid area in South Africa, the Great Karoo.
This section, almost of a similar height, is slightly lower in elevation, with the Tierberg (Leopard Mountain) at 2132 m being the highest.
Several passes cut through the Swartberg Range, and these are famous primarily for the spectacular geology they dissect,[2] as well as for the engineering skill required in completing several of the routes across them.
They rode out from Beaufort West on horseback, in 1854, for a week-long ride to traverse the range and plan the routes.
[5] The pass was cut and the route completed in only 223 working days, comprising one of the era's most extraordinary feats of engineering.
It also offers a spectacular drive through incredible rock formations, and is the setting for an annual half marathon that ends in the town of De Rust.
The Swartberg is regarded as one of the "finest exposed fold mountain chains in the world", and this is apparent at the northern end of the pass.