A dangerous road to Tsaris-Hoogte Pass

A dangerous road to Tsaris-Hoogte Pass

Namibia, africa

Length

150 km

Elevation

1,672 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle one of Namibia's highest and wildest roads? Then you HAVE to experience Tsaris-Hoogte Pass! This epic pass, also called Tsaris Pass or Zarishoogte Pass, sits way up high at 1,672m (5,485ft) in the Hardap region, smack-dab in the Tsaris Mountains.

Forget smooth tarmac, this is a FULLY unpaved, 150 km (93 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your driving skills!). We're talking about the C19, folks. After a bit of rain, be warned: this track turns into a muddy, slippery beast! Expect corrugated sections that'll rattle your bones, and some seriously steep climbs – averaging 6%, but hitting over 20% in places!

You'll need a trusty 4x4 for this one, no question. And caution is key – this drive can be a bit dangerous if you're not careful. But trust me, the views are SO worth it. Think jaw-dropping scenery and untamed nature at every turn. The pass connects Sesriem, a tiny Namib Desert settlement, with Maltahöhe, a village in the Hardap Region. It's a true adventure for nature lovers!

Where is it?

A dangerous road to Tsaris-Hoogte Pass is located in Namibia (africa). Coordinates: -23.6309, 17.7693

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Road Details

Country
Namibia
Continent
africa
Length
150 km
Max Elevation
1,672 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-23.6309, 17.7693

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