Swartberg Pass

Afrikaans name: Swartbergpas

Photo © JeremyRichards - Fotolia.com

Western Cape

The Swartberg Pass takes you over the Swartberg Mountain Range between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. The Swartberg are considered to be one of the best examples of fold mountains in the world.

The road itself is dirt and seems to cling to the sides of the mountains at some points. Caution should be exercised in bad weather.

It took seven years to construct the pass and it was completed in 1888. Some of the original retaining walls are still in place.

The pass offers spectacular views over the Little and Great Karoo. For those interested in plant life it offers a wealth of species to discover.

Have you driven the Swartberg Pass? What was it like?

Above - View from the top of the pass looking back to the south and south-east

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - On top of the pass crossing the plateau towards the northern end of the pass on the Prince Albert side of the mountain.

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - The road on the northern end leading towards Prince Albert.

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Northern end of the pass

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Wild Issue 34 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 20

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 75

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 47

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 311

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 121

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 58

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 330

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 81

Getaway - Vol 31 No 08 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 68

go! - Issue 136 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 64

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 89

Of Hominins, Hunter-Gatherers and Heroes - Author: David Bristow - Published: 2019 - Page: 175

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 77

Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 122

Country Life - Issue 285 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 25

Country Life - Issue 251 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 46

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 118

Country Life - Issue 176 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 58

Mountain Passes South Africa - Swartberg Pass

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