Outeniqua Pass offers spectacular views changing at every corner
South Africa, africa
18.2 km
792 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Outeniqua Pass! This gem sits way up in South Africa's Western Cape province, clocking in at a cool 800m (2,600ft) above sea level.
Built back in the day (1943-1951, to be exact) by Italian prisoners of war—crazy, right?—this pass has gotten a couple of upgrades since then, so don't worry, it's not *that* old-school. We're talking a well-maintained two-lane tar road that's part of the N9/N12 national road. Think of it as the smoother, less-terrifying cousin to the Montagu Pass.
The Outeniqua Pass is about 18.2 km (11.30 miles) stretching from Oudtshoorn to George. Fair warning: it's a popular route for trucks, and accidents can sometimes shut it down.
Expect winding roads (around 40 curves!), and some steep sections where the gradient hits 1:10. Rockfalls can happen, especially in wet weather. The higher parts of the pass often get soaked and misty, so drive carefully, stick to the speed limit, and you'll be golden.
Trust me, the views are worth it! There are three small parking areas near the summit where you can pull over and soak it all in. On a clear day, you'll see all the way over George to the Indian Ocean. Seriously epic photo ops!
Where is it?
Outeniqua Pass offers spectacular views changing at every corner is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -31.0125, 21.6493
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 18.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 792 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -31.0125, 21.6493
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