How long is Swartberg Pass?
How long is Swartberg Pass?
27 km-long
The Swartberg Pass was declared a Provincial Heritage Site in its Centenary year, 1988. The Pass is a 27 km-long gravel road with steep inclines. It lies on the R328 and is the shortest route between Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn. It takes about 1 hour to drive the entire length of the Pass.
Where is Swartberg Pass located?
Western Cape province of South Africa
The Swartberg Pass on the R328 runs over the Swartberg mountain range (black mountain in English) which runs roughly east–west along the northern edge of the semi-arid area called the Little Karoo in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Who built Swartberg Pass?
Thomas Charles Bain
It is the masterpiece of the brilliant engineer and road builder, Thomas Charles Bain (1830 – 1893), and the last of the seventeen passes he built in the Cape Province. The 27km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world.
Do you need a 4×4 for the Swartberg Pass?
Do you need a 4×4 for Swartberg Pass? The road is totally unpaved but you don’t need a big 4×4 car to climb the pass. It can be driven in any vehicle in fair weather. The unpaved sections of the road can be a little treacherous and tricky in wet weather and impassable when wet.
How many times do you cross the river in Meiringspoort?
The pass is a gateway that connects the Little Karoo and the Great Karoo, through a gorge with a 25 km road crossing the same river 25 times in the span of the 25 km. It runs between the modern town of Klaarstroom in the north, and the town of De Rust in the south.
Can you drive Swartberg pass with a normal car?
The pass is very long at 23,8 km and it takes about an hour to drive, excluding stops. You will be treated to a wide variety of incredible scenery. The pass is not suitable for anyone suffering from acrophobia. It can be driven in any vehicle in fair weather.
Can you drive the Swartberg pass with a car?
Set high at the foot of the Swartberg mountain range, the road to the summit is called R328. The road is totally unpaved but you don’t need a big 4×4 car to climb the pass. It can be driven in any vehicle in fair weather. The pass has a unique climate, often with cool, misty clouds covering the top.
Who built Meiringspoort?
The pass was also the first major project of the young Thomas Bain. Once commenced, the entire 16 km pass was completed in only 223 days of work, opening on 3 March 1858.
What river runs through Meiringspoort?
Route: Oudtshoorn, Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert, Meiringspoort, De Rust Description: Follow the road that winds along the banks of the Groot River as it meanders …
Where is Meiringspoort located?
Meiringspoort (Afrikaans for “Meiring’s pass”) is a South African mountain pass on the N12 national road, where it crosses the Swartberg mountain range.
How many river crossings are in Meiringspoort?
Meiringspoort’s 26 bridges | Mossel Bay Advertiser.
