Latest Mountain Passes added

Riemhoogte is a minor pass on the tarred N1 national route between Three Sisters and Beaufort West. It's nothing more than a minor change in altitude of 66m via a gentle curve and barely fits the definition of a mountain pass, yet it is an official pass. This stretch on the N1 is often the location of horrific accidents. The long and straight sections lead to problems of fatigue and to a lesser extent speeding, as average speed monitoring has neutralised that temptation. Overloading and alcohol are other contributing factors to the high accident rate. 

So this official little pass, in its own way helps somewhat to provide a slight change of pitch and angle, albeit for only 1.5 km.

The Sekokong Pass is an interesting and long pass at 13.3 km that crosses the Senqu River and bisects the village of Sekokong after which it is named. The road is currently in a poor state as heavy construction vehicles involved with the new Polihali Dam are rumbling up and down this pass 24 hours a day. The pass connects Mokhotlong in the south with Mapolaneng in the north.

Once the new high bridge has been completed and the dam starts filling, we will return to film all the new infrastructure. There are 41 bends, corners and curves which includes one hairpin and one horseshoe bend. Be very careful of construction vehicles and deep potholes.

The scenery is magnificent as the road traverses, then follows the deep valley of the Senqu River. The pass is located along the A1 route in Lesotho's northern quartile and forms part of a string of big passes which include the Kotisephola, Mapholaneng, Tlaeeng, Pass of Guns, Mahlasela and Moteng passes.

Like most of the passes in Lesotho, this pass also carries an ice and snow warning.

This long tarred pass is located along the A3 route in Lesotho and forms part of a string of impressive passes, virtually running back to back fromm Thaba Tseka to Maseru. It starts at its eastern end where the Marakabei Pass ends and climbs steeply to its 2625m high summit within the first 4 kilometres. It then swings 90 degrees in direction into the north and follows the valley formed by one of the rivers that flow into the Mohale Dam. The pass provides access to the Mohale Dam and local lodges.

At 16.9 km it's a long pass but you won't get bored as there are no less than 96 bends, corners and curves to keep every driver on their toes. To add to that, the road markings on the road have all but faded away, so overtaking becomes an interesting exercise. The relatively low traffic volumes translate into low accident rates.

Together with the Makoabong, Cheches, Marakabei, Blue Mountain, God Help Me and Bushmens passes you can enjoy a massive non -stop mountain pass drive that will put a smile on your face for well over two hours.

The Marakabei Pass takes its name from the village at the middle point of the pass. Whilst it's not the longest or steepest pass in Lesotho, it offers enjoyable rural scenery on a good quality road. The pass is 8.4 km long and climbs a very respectable 657m producing an average gradient of 1:13. The steepest parts are at 1:9. The gradients are well engineered and the pass is suitable for all vehicles, except when its snowing, when a 4x4 will be required and sometimes even a 4x4 will not cope if the snow levels are deep.

The Mohale dam lies just 9 km to the north. There are 26 bends of which several exceed 90 degrees and one particularly tight semi hairpin of 160 degrees is located roughly halfway along the pass. This is one of five passes along the attractive A3 route between Thaba Tseka and Maseru, the others being (from east to west) the Mokhoabong, Likhalaneng, Blue Mountain, God Help Me and the Bushmans Pass. 

The pass is very close to the central geographical point of Lesotho. The two towns of Marakabei and Mantsonyane are fairly close to one another, with the Senqunyane (a main tributary of the Senqu River) flowing close by the village.

This impressive pass packs a huge amount of punch into a relatively short distance. It's located in the southern part of Lesotho on a minor road which itself is accessible from the A4 route, about 12 km north west of Qacha's Nek. The road connects a number of remote mountain villages, as well as providing access to the Matebeng Pass, one of the most difficult gravel passes in Lesotho.

If you enjoy multiple hairpin bends and canyon views, then do yourself a favour and drive this one. It sports 32 bends, corners and curves packed tightly into the overall length of 5.8 km producing an average gradient of 1:20 with the maximum gradient topping out at 1:6 on the northern side. Of those 32 bends, 10 are full hairpins. 

You will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Tsoelike River valley which looks more like a canyon than a valley and the old green pedestrian bridge, which dates back to 1930, was constructed by German missionaries. It is still in a remarkably good condition, with only a few floor boards missing.

There is a beautiful spot next to the river to have a picnic spot which is nicely grassed. 

The Tsoelike River is one of the most convoluted rivers you will find, following a tortuous route through the mountains, sourcing in the Sethlathebe National Park, some 25 km to the east as the crow flies, but if you trace its actual course that length extends to 130 km. The river forms a confluence with the Senqu (Orange) River six kilometres west of the pass.