Dare to drive the gravel 4x4 road to Volunteershoek Pass
South Africa, africa
964 km
1,916 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Volunteershoek Pass, a beast of a 4x4 trail nestled high in South Africa's Eastern Cape! We're talking serious elevation here, hitting 2,567m (that's 8,421 feet!). You might also hear it called Bidstone Pass or Volenteershoek Pass.
This isn't your Sunday drive. This gravel track links Rhodes to the Tiffindell Ski Resort, and it’s a proper climb. The road's skinny with some pretty intense drop-offs, so keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic – uphill has the right of way. You'll need to finesse your 4x4 with controlled power, especially on those crazy cement strip zigzags up the steepest part.
Clocking in at just over 9.5km (6 miles), this pass throws you from 1916m to that lofty 2567m peak. Expect a steep 1:14 average gradient, and some sections hit a brutal 1:3 in the first 5km. You'll be near the mighty Ben McDhui (3,001m), the highest point in the Cape.
Heads up: the weather here is WILD. Sunshine can turn into a blizzard in no time, and winter temps can plummet to -22 degrees Celsius. Check the forecast before you go and pack accordingly!
Once you conquer the tough climb, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Halstone Krans and the valley below. The scenery is epic! There’s even a small mountain cabin at the summit. Trust me, this is one unforgettable 4x4 adventure!
Where is it?
Dare to drive the gravel 4x4 road to Volunteershoek Pass is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -30.4581, 24.0329
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 964 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,916 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -30.4581, 24.0329
Related Roads in africa
hardIs the road to Tizi n'Outfi paved?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi n'Outfi pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,944m (6,377ft) above sea level, located in the Tadla-Azilal region of Morocco. Is the road to Tizi n'Outfi paved? High Atlas mountain range , located in central Morocco, is mostly paved. However, due to harsh weather conditions , some sections may be subject to damage, with parts of the road often disappearing or becoming debris-strewn. Travelers may encounter , stretches without guardrails, and numerous . Additionally, narrow passages make it challenging for vehicles coming from opposite directions to pass. Despite the risks, the drive offers throughout the journey, making it a remarkable, albeit challenging, experience. How long is Tizi n'Outfi? The road through the pass is called (30 miles) long, running north-south from Demnate, roughly 110 km east of Marrakech , to the isolated village of A Memorable Road Trip to Tizi n’Tabgourt Driving the Challenging Road R307 in the High Atlas Mountains Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardAzrou n'Thor
🌍 Algeria
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Azrou n'Thor! This epic mountain peak soars to 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) in the Tizi Ouzou Province of northern Algeria. Your starting point? The legendary Col de Tirourda. From there, prepare for a wild ride on the Avrid n Wezru n Thur – a notorious gravel road that leads straight to the summit. This isn't your average Sunday drive; you'll definitely need a 4x4 to conquer this beast! Keep in mind, winter brings heavy snowfall, and even a little rain can turn this road into a serious challenge. Be ready for a steep climb – it's about 5.2km of pure adrenaline with views that'll knock your socks off.
hardWhy is it called Baster Voetslaan Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Eastern Cape of South Africa, you NEED to check out the Baster Voetslaan Pass. This isn't your Sunday drive; this is a full-on, adrenaline-pumping, 35.3 km (21.93 miles) of unpaved glory, climbing to a lofty 2,240 m (7,349 ft). Legend says it's named after freed slaves who braved it to start a new life, so you know it's got history! Forget your average car; you absolutely need a 4x4 with low range and high clearance to tackle this beast. Seriously, don't even think about it in anything less. Expect some seriously steep and slippery sections with gradients hitting 1:4! But trust me, the views are worth it! We're talking spectacular mountainous terrain and vertigo-inducing drop-offs that will leave you breathless. Keep an eye on the weather though; this area, near the Eastern Cape Highlands, can get hammered by heavy snow in winter. We're talking electrical storms, violent winds, heavy rain, hail, the whole shebang! So, plan accordingly, and get ready for a true adventurer's pass!
easyDriving the challenging road to Qacha's Nek border
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, buckle up for Qacha's Nek, a border-crossing beauty sitting pretty at 1,989m (6,525ft)! This pass is your gateway between the Qacha's Nek district in Lesotho and South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. Word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here, so be ready for anything – think dramatic thunderstorms, electrical storms, rain, fog, or even snow. You probably won't be fighting any traffic jams, though! The adventure stretches for about 35.9 km (22.30 miles), connecting the town of Qacha's Nek to Matatiele in South Africa. The Lesotho side is smooth sailing – a short, sweet, paved climb. But hold on tight when you hit South Africa! It turns into a rough and bumpy dirt track. Don't worry, most cars can handle it, even sedans, but be prepared for a long, gravelly, high-altitude stretch leading to the border. The views, however, are totally worth it!