
Adventure Along the R332 Road in Eastern Cape
South Africa, africa
171 km
1,157 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits in South Africa's Eastern Cape! The R332, stretching 171 km (106 miles) from Willowmore to Andrieskraal (via Studtis), is a wild gravel road thatβll test your mettle β and your car. Word is that legendary road engineer Thomas Bain himself carved this one out back in the late 1800s!
Forget smooth tarmac, this is an entirely unpaved, single-lane beauty (with a few navigable sections) that demands respect β a 4x4 is seriously recommended. Prepare for some serious elevation, too, as you climb to 1,157 m (3,795 ft).
And get ready to get wet! You'll be fording the Baviaans River *ten times*. Don't underestimate these crossings β even if they look shallow. Rain can change everything in an instant, and seasonal deluges can cause serious washouts.
Set aside about 5 hours for the drive, but that's without any stops to soak it all in. Also, this is true off-the-grid stuff; say goodbye to your cellphone signal once you enter the Baviaanskloof. The scenery, though, is beyond worth it. Get ready for a truly unforgettable ride!
Where is it?
Adventure Along the R332 Road in Eastern Cape is located in South Africa (africa). Coordinates: -27.3355, 22.1897
Road Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Continent
- africa
- Length
- 171 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,157 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -27.3355, 22.1897
Related Roads in africa
moderateThe breathtaking road to Grossherzog Friedrich Berg
π³π¦ Namibia
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Grossherzog Friedrich Berg in central Namibia is calling, and trust me, you'll want to answer. We're talking a seriously high peak here, topping out at 2,309 meters (that's 7,575 feet for those playing at home!). This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The paved (concrete, to be exact) road winds up, up, up into the Auas Mountains. The views are incredible β seriously, picture-postcard material β but be warned: this climb is STEEP. We're talking gradients hitting a whopping 16% in places! The fun starts off the B1 highway, and the ascent is just under 5km (about 3 miles), but you'll gain 453 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of over 9%! The summit itself is marked by communication towers, so you know you've made it. Get ready for some breathtaking scenery and an adrenaline rush on this Namibian gem!
moderateDriving to Ras Dashen: One of the Highest Roads in Africa
πͺπΉ Ethiopia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Ethiopia's Amhara Region, specifically the North Gondar Zone, you NEED to experience Ras Dashen (also known as Ras Dejen or Ras Dashan). This isn't your average Sunday drive β we're talking about one of the highest roads in all of Africa, topping out at a whopping 4,277 meters (that's 14,032 feet for my American friends!). Snuggled within the stunning Simien Mountains National Park in the northern part of the country, this unpaved beauty stretches for about 33.4 km (20.75 miles) from Chiro Leba to Dilibza (Dil Yibza). You'll definitely want to bring your 4x4 for this one. Fair warning: winter can be brutal up here. The road is often impassable and those Simien Mountains can get some serious snowfall at night. But hey, the views? Totally worth it for those who dare!
easyWhere is Long Tom Pass?
πΏπ¦ South Africa
Okay, adventure awaits on Long Tom Pass in Mpumalanga, South Africa! This beauty sits high in the Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, clocking in at a cool 2,151m (7,057ft) above sea level. Fun fact: it's named after the "Long Tom" cannons from the Anglo-Boer War, and there's even a monument up there marking their final use. The R37, as it's known, stretches for 57.2 km (35.54 miles) of pure driving bliss between Lydenburg and Sabie. We're talking a fully paved road with endless twists and turns, offering one amazing panoramic view after another. The road is in great condition and handles all kinds of traffic. Just a heads-up: this pass is set high on the Great Escarpment, so be prepared for heavy mist. Low visibility can make things a little tricky, but keep your eyes peeled and you'll be golden. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Tizi n'Fedhrat
π²π¦ Morocco
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're cruising around south-central Morocco in the DrΓ’a-Tafilalet region, you NEED to check out Tizi n'Fedhrat. This mountain pass sits way up high at 2,145 meters (that's over 7,000 feet!). The road itself, the R307, connects Demnat and Ouarzazate. Picture this: a high mountain road, hairpin turns that'll make your head spin (in a good way!), narrow stretches, and some seriously steep climbs. We're talking classic Moroccan Atlas scenery, people! Just a heads up, though: a good chunk of this road is unpaved, so be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. Get ready for epic views and an unforgettable experience!