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
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