Swartberg Pass

In October 2015 we took a short trip to Prince Albert.  We ended our trip by driving back home using the Swartberg Pass.


The Swartberg pass was the final pass built by Thomas Bain and was opened on 10 January 1888.  The pass is a gravel road of about 27 km from Prince Albert to Oudshoorn over the Swartberg Mountains.


The pass has many with lots of switchbacks with beautiful views.  The road is supported by an amazing stone retaining walls. It declared a National Monument in 1988.



The pass was very busy on the Sunday morning as we made our way home.  At some places the road is very narrow and one of the vehicles has to stop for the other to pass.  I was very glad that I was not in the driver seat but my husband did a great job.  It is not necessary for a 4x4 vehicle to do this drive. We used our in our Ford Figo and saw even smaller cars also driving along. 

  

We first stopped at my parents house in George.  I was very glad to see our son (It was the first time that we left him alone at his grandparents for the night).  It was also my birthday and we had a quick birthday celebration before driving home.



Update:

Unfortunately the pass was closed on 10 April 2017 after a huge rain shower severely damaged sections of the road.  I hope it can be fixed soon because it is a great experience to drive on this pass. 





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