Swartberg Pass

About Swartberg Pass

Climbing 1000 metres in 12 kilometres, the Swartberg Pass is one of the steepest passes in South Africa.

Running between Prince Albert in the north and Oudtshoorn in the south, the route offers spectacular views over the Little and Great Karoo.

The road is not tarred and can be tricky in wet weather but you certainly don’t need a big 4x4 for the pass.

Along with striking warped and twisted rock formations and interesting plant life, you will see some amazing drystone work supporting the picturesque hairpin bends.

Master pass engineer Thomas Baines and his team of convict labourers took five years to build it in the late 1800s. Today it is a National Monument and largely unchanged.

If you really fancy a challenge you could crank you way on the Swartberg Pass Half Marathon. The race route heads out of Prince Albert and into the Swartberg Pass, with sheer rock on both sides.