Where does the 7 passes start?
The seven passes route was constructed by Thomas Bain and his brother in law, Adam de Smidt. Bain started at Knysna and the route from George was the responsibility of de Smidt.
Which are the seven passes?
The seven passes, in order from George to Knysna, are:
- Kaaimans River Pass.
- Silwer River Pass.
- Touw River Pass.
- Hoogekraal Pass.
- Karatara Pass.
- Homtini Pass.
- Phantom Pass.
How long is the Seven Passes road?
75km
The Seven Passes route is a 75km trip that takes you past 7 gorges cut deep by rivers flowing to the sea. Legendary engineer Thomas Bain designed the road in 1883, but it was a sweaty business for the great road engineer.
Is the Seven Passes road tarred?
The Silver River Pass, is one of the Garden Route’s ‘Seven Passes’, and covers 2,7 km of narrow, twisting tar-road driving through dense indigenous forests, descending to and from the Silver River starting where the Kaaimansgat Pass ends and finding its end at picturesque Wilderness Heights.
Is Montagu Pass open?
The pass was named after John Montagu, Colonial Secretary of the Cape in the 1840s, whose enthusiasm for good roads resulted in the first ambitious program of construction in Southern Africa. It was damaged by floods in November 1996, and was closed for most of 1997. It has been repaired and is now open.
Where is the Montagu Pass?
Western Cape province of South Africa
Montagu Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 741m (2,431ft) above the sea level, situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, on the Regional road between Herold and George.
Can you drive on the Swartberg Pass?
The road is totally unpaved but you don’t need a big 4×4 car to climb the pass. It can be driven in any vehicle in fair weather. The unpaved sections of the road can be a little treacherous and tricky in wet weather and impassable when wet. The pass has a unique climate, often with cool, misty clouds covering the top.
Is the Montagu Pass open?
This pass was damaged by the floods of November 1996, and was closed for most of 1997. It has been repaired and is now open.
How long is Montagu Pass?
The Montagu Pass lays claim to being the oldest, unaltered pass still in use in South Africa. This 7.4km narrow gravel road was completed in 1848 and built to replace the highly dangerous Cradock Pass. The pass climbs to an altitude of 780m passing through indigenous forest and mountain fynbos.