bethlehem

This is a minor pass located 11 km south-east of Bethlehem in the Free State on the N5 route to Harrismith. The pass is short and only gains 50m in altitude with a single S-curve near the summit. The steepest gradients are at 1:14 and this one is suitable for all vehicles, except when it snows, which it does from time to time at these high altitudes on the rim of the Drakensberg escarpment. All along the N5 one can can enjoy fabulous scenery of unusual sandstone outcrops. This is also the Gateway to the Golden Gate National Park.

Located about midway between Bethlehem and Fouriesburg on the R26 tarred road in the southern Free State, this easy 3 km long pass offers sweeping views of mountains and plains when travelling southwards. It has a mild average gradient of 1:30, but the southern descent offers much steeper gradients of 1:12. The road is safe and suitable for all vehicles.

An easy and straightforward gravel road flanked by big Free State mountains with sublime views. The road connects the important railway station called Slabberts (where there are large grain silos) with Bethlehem, some 30 km to the north. At 3,7 km the pass is of average length and has an easy average gradient of 1:37, but the final climb up to the nek is quite steep at 1:7. The road is mainly used by farming vehicles.