The pass was deemed to have significant financial importance to the region as it opened up a decent trading route to the Warm & Koue Bokkeveld farming areas, cutting off some 150 kms of the alternative route to Ceres. The pass was completed in two years and built by none other than Andrew Geddes Bain. The pass was widened and concreted in 1938 just before WW2 (due to a shortage of asphalt), but closed in 1969 when an earthquake shook the area and caused serious rockfalls. It was given a complete revamp in the same year, utilising sections of the original Bain construction and drywall supports. These remains have been declared a national monument in 1998.
It is an easy and comfortable gradient to drive up. The Old Toll House, halfway up the pass, is worth stopping at where refreshments are available. Further up the pass there is a large viewsite on the right, where one gets a good view of the waterfall at the head of the Dwarsrivier, which can be breathtakingly dramatic in the rainy season. If you're lucky, you may catch an exciting glimpse of a kayaker shooting the falls.Just above the waterfall and to the west side, the railway line (now fallen into disuse) disappears into a tunnel.
FACT FILE
|
GPS START |
S33.397736 E19.282590 |
|
GPS SUMMIT |
S33.378545 E19.293459 |
|
GPS END |
S33.374997 E19.299158 |
|
AVE GRADIENT |
1:44 |
|
MAX GRADIENT |
1:10 |
|
ELEVATION START |
313m |
|
ELEVATION SUMMIT |
491m |
|
ELEVATION END |
452m |
|
HEIGHT GAIN/LOSS |
178m |
|
DISTANCE |
7,93km |
|
DIRECTION - TRAVEL |
North |
|
TIME REQUIRED |
10 minutes |
|
SPEED LIMIT |
60 - 80 kph |
|
SURFACE |
Tar |
|
DATE FILMED |
17.08.2012 |
|
TEMPERATURE |
12C |
|
NEAREST TOWN |
Ceres (10km) |
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