hillcrest

This substantial suburban pass is 5,2 km long and descends 435m producing an average gradient of 1:12 with the steepest parts registering in at 1:5. The road connects a wide range of suburbs, both residential and commercial with Inanda Dam and environs. Its located approximately 23 km north-west of the Durban. The pass offers some fabulous bends and even better views over the Inanda Dam.

The traverse includes 32 bends corners and curves of which 2 sections are chicane style bends which include tight hairpins of 180 degrees and another horseshoe bend of the same arc. The road is tarred and is also sometimes confusingly known as the Inanda Pass. Inanda Road traverses a different valley near this pass a little further south, so calling it Inanda Pass can only cause confusion.

This is a high crime zone, so be fully aware of your personal safety at all times and preferably drive in a group.

This old farm road has been modernised over the years and today carries bumper to bumper traffic to the northern suburbs around Durbanville. It's a popular alternative to the N1. The 4.9 km long tarred road (designated as the M13), ascends 134m producing an average gradient of 1:37, but the curvy part near Hillcrest is quite steep at 1:8. The pass plays host to a number of quality wine estates, including Bloemendal, Nitida, Hillcrest and Durbanville Hills. The little pass is also colloquially known as Tiekiedraai for its very sharp corner near Hillcrest.

The road has plenty of variety in the form of wine farms, an open air cinema, several popular eateries, wedding venues, an antique shop, and a large active open quarry carrying heavily laden trucks which operate 24 hours a day. A blanket speed limit of 80 kph applies, which is monitored via speed cameras.