The Prince Alfred’s Pass on the R339 gravel road between Knysna and Uniondale is probably Thomas Bain’s most remarkable work. It is the second oldest unaltered pass still in use and is the longest (publicly accessible) mountain pass in South Africa at approximately 68.5km. This exceptionally long pass presented almost every possible technical obstacle to the pass-builders.
Read the full article: A unique journey with some history
- Adventure Afrika Mar/Apr 2021 edition
feature by Hanlie Booyens
I USED TO BE A RACER – I loved it too. However time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters and these days it is not result sheets anymore. For me it is about finding joy in the journey. It is about discovering places that lift my soul. It is about reconnecting with my spirit in spaces where time slows down and I can appreciate life for all it is.
Away from the crowds there are amazing roads to travel, there are climbs to conquer and views to treasure. All you need is a bit of imagination, a good map and my friend Google.
And so we stumbled upon the Ben10. It had the allure of a proper challenge in a beautiful part of our country. It looked perfect offering great climbs, stunning views, remoteness and space. One for the bucket list. The challenge was set by the guys from Mountain Passes South Africa (www.mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za). Initially aimed at the 4x4 community, they invited cyclists to attempt it as well. The goal is to cover ten specific high-altitude gravel passes within a time frame of seven days, whilst enjoying the beautiful and remote Eastern Cape highlands scenery. As they state on their website: “This is not a race but a journey.”
Read the full article: BEN 10 By Bike
- January/February 2019 edition of Ride Cycling Magazine.
Officially named the Dr Lapa Munnik Pass, the Bastervoetpad Pass is located between the summit of the Barkly Pass and Ugie and traverses a southern arm of the Drakensberg along the east-west axis.
Read the full article: Challenging, but worth it
- Adventure Afrika November 2020 edition
There is a certain joy in giving. It comes in many forms. In my case, it started with a God-given talent for being able to put into words my experiences while travelling in such a way that others could share those experiences. This has always been at the core of Mountain Passes South Africa’s (MPSA) philosophy: giving joy to others.
Read the full article: Exploring SA's Mountain Passes
- May 2020 edition of Leisure Wheels
The scenic Franschhoek Pass is also known as Lambrechts Road. More poetically, though, a hundred and fifty years ago it was known as Olifantshoek (Elephants Corner) after the now mythical herds of elephant which once roamed these valleys and mountains it traverses. This long, steep and dramatic pass with its variety of scenery was South Africa's first properly engineered pass. During weekends city folk stream to the pass on foot, bicycles, motorcycles, skateboards, cars and SUVs to enjoy it's sheer magnificence.
Read the full article: Fabulous Franschhoek Pass
- Adventure Afrika Jan/Feb 2021 edition
Gamkaskloof is surrounded by the Swartberg Nature Reserve and winds through 37 km of rugged mountain scenery, culminating in the vertigo-rush, single-width Elands Pass. It ends in the Gamkaskloof – reminiscent of a lush oasis and paradoxically nicknamed Die Hel (The Hell).
Read the full article: Gamkaskloof... Heaven or hell?
- Adventure Afrika May/June 2021 edition
Thomas Bain’s final piece of road building, the Swartberg Pass, is very long at 23.8 km and it takes about an hour to drive, excluding stops. You will be treated to a wide variety of incredible scenery, but the pass is not suitable for anyone suffering from acrophobia..
Read the full article: Holy grail of gravel
- Adventure Afrika October 2020 edition
Trygve Roberts interviewed by Ewan Strydom about South Africa’s Most Beautiful Mountain Passes, on the Expresso Show on SABC3.
Winding through some of Mpumalanga's breathtaking scenery, the (in)famous Long Tom Pass is one of those "I love to hate you" passes in South Africa. It is 26.2 kilometres long (or even longer depending on where one starts measuring), plus it displays an altitude variance of 671 vertical meters through a complex network of curves as it ascends up the Drakensberg escarpment between Sabie in the east and Lydenburg in the west.
Read the full article: Long, longer... Long Tom
- Adventure Afrika December 2020 edition
Website that maps the country’s famous mountain passes fills an adventure niche market for the well-heeled, writes Janine Stephen
03 AUGUST 2017 - 06:00 JANINE STEPHEN
Read more: More than just a passing interest in high-altitude off-road driving
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