A sensational road to Barkly Pass in the Eastern Cape
South Africa, africa
62 km
1,473 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Barkly Pass! Perched high in the Eastern Cape highlands of South Africa, this beauty clocks in at 2,018m (6,620ft) above sea level. Named after a bigwig colonial governor from way back when, it's steeped in history.
The R58, as it's known, is paved, so no 4x4 needed! But don't get complacent - those gradients are STEEP and the curves are seriously sharp. Keep an eye on your speed, and you'll be fine.
Stretching 62 km (38 miles) from Elliot (Khowa) to Barkly East, this pass is a proper climb. You'll gain a whopping 626 meters in just 12 km, after leaving Elliot at 1,473 meters above sea level. Think hairpin bends galore before you reach that summit!
Nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains, be warned: winter here means SNOW. Like, serious snow that can shut things down. Cold weather + ice = a recipe for disaster, so take it slow. Expect closures when the first snow hits, especially between Barkly East and Elliot. But hey, the views are worth it!
Where is it?
A sensational road to Barkly Pass in the Eastern Cape is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -30.3023, 22.9784
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 62 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,473 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -30.3023, 22.9784
Related Roads in africa
moderateWhere is Chapman's Peak Drive located?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Cruising along South Africa's Atlantic Coast? You absolutely HAVE to experience Chapman's Peak Drive! This coastal gem, affectionately called "Chappies" by locals, is located on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, stretching between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Built into the side of Chapman's Peak mountain (you can even hike to the top!), this 9km toll road is a marvel of engineering with 114 curves carved into the near-vertical cliff face. Allow about 20-25 minutes to savor every twist and turn – trust me, you'll want to take your time! "Chappies" isn't just a drive; it's an experience. With stunning 180º views of the Atlantic, you'll be gawking the whole time. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins playing in the waves below, and maybe even spot a baboon troop curiously watching you pass. There are plenty of picnic spots and vantage points to stop and soak it all in. A word of caution: this beauty comes with a thrill! Expect sheer drops and a narrow, paved road, so take it slow (the speed limit is 40km/h) and be mindful of where you stop. Landslides can close the road sometimes too. "Chappies" is worth every bit of attention and a small toll fee. The views alone make this one of the most scenic drives on the planet.
hardWhere is Ouberg Pass in Western Cape?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Ouberg Pass! This mountain pass is perched way up high in South Africa, in the Western Cape province. I'm talking serious elevation! Just so you know, there are a couple other passes with the same name in SA, so make sure you're heading to the right Ouberg. Now, heads up – the road to the top is unpaved. It's roughly 23 km long and drops almost 500 meters in altitude over 7.8 kilometers, which means it gets pretty steep in sections. Keep it slow, like around 40 km/h. The views? Absolutely worth it! And the best part is, you don't need a special 4x4; most vehicles can handle this adventure. Just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride!
moderateWhere is Lichens Pass?
🇿🇦 South Africa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Free State of South Africa, right? Specifically, in the eastern part, near the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. You're heading up Lichens Pass, a high-altitude beauty that climbs to a serious elevation. So, why the name "Lichens"? Well, I hear it's named for the lichen that grows there. Keep your eyes peeled! The road stretches for about 47.8 km (29.70 miles), running roughly west-east from Clarens to Phuthaditjhaba. It’s paved and features some lovely banked corners – perfect for those wind-in-your-hair moments. Watch out though, a few of them are pretty sharp, and there are some steep sections. This area's also known for its dramatic weather changes, so be prepared for potential low visibility. This drive delivers incredible views, but stay alert and drive safely!
moderateWhere is Tizi n'Tinififft?
🇲🇦 Morocco
Tizi-n-Tinififft is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,693 m (5,554 ft) above sea level, located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco. Where is Tizi n'Tinififft? The pass is located in the mid-southeastern part of the country, in the Atlas Mountains. When was the road through Tizi n'Tinififft built? The road was built as a military highway in 1936 by the French. Along the road, there are many parking lots featuring stunning views. Is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft paved? The road to the summit is fully paved. It’s called Route Nationale 9 (formerly Route P-31). Definitely more interesting than the pass itself is the descent through a few twists over the canyon and through small oases in the direction of the town of Agdz. How long is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft? The pass is 24.9 km (15.47 miles) long, running from Agdz (also spelled Agdez) to Ait Saoun. Is the road to Tizi n'Tinififft difficult? The road features steep sections, reaching a maximum gradient of 7% in some areas. It has recently been rebuilt with bends being cut through and is now much faster, wider, and straighter, as part of significant road improvements to the N9 from Marrakech to Zagora. Road suggested by: Martin Dady Col de Timicha is a classic road trip in the High Atlas An epic enthralling road to Tizi-n-Tazazert Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.