This 15.6 km gravel pass runs on the North/South axis approximately parallel (and to the West) of the tarred N10. The road mainly serves the local farming communities as well as the Blomfontein wedding venue. Despite its ascent/descent range of 353 vertical meters, the average gradient is a leisurely 1:44 with the steeper sections being 1:20.
The pass is not a tarred pass, nor is it on the N10 as indicated by several well respected websites. Set aside at least an hour to drive the route, as there are several farm gates to open and close, plus the last few kilometres on the southern side have to be driven slowly, due to the rough nature of the road, beyond the Blomfontein farm.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy rugged Karoo mountain scenery in a harsh, arid part of South Africa, where every drop of water counts. At the southern end of the pass, you will see some of the water canals of the Orange-Fish Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest in South Africa.
As an added bonus, there is a disused rail tunnel that can be driven, but it's not easy to find or access.
The full content of this article is restricted to subscribers.
Subscribe for only R550 a year and get full access to our website (936+ mountain passes), including the videos, the full text of all mountain passes articles, fact-file, interactive map, directions and route files.
New: Lifelong subscription. You'll never have to worry about annual renewals or price increases. Enjoy a Lifetime Subscription to our website for just R5,000 once-off.
Subscribe Now (Lifetime subscription)
If you have already subscribed to our site, you can Log in to view the full article.
You will gain full access to the best parts of the website, which include:
- the full content (non subscribers only see about 10% of the text) of 936+ mountain passes,
- plus you get the video(s),
- Fact File,
- Interactive Map,
- Directions
- and the downloadable Route File.
You will also get our weekly newsletter packed with the latest interesting passes information delivered to your email each Thursday.
Paid subscribers qualify for 10% off the digital downloads from our online shop.
You can visit five ‘Open’ pass pages on Mountain Passes South Africa to evaluate what you’ll be getting: